What's on your mind?

[HisGraceAbounds]

I dug out an old recipe of my Great Grandmother. Tomato Soup Cake.

It's in the oven right now, and it has my apartment smelling soooooo good.

...I know what this guy is having for dessert tonight...with cream cheese frosting...and a little glass of milk...oink, oink, oink

 

[sampa]

Thanks to those who have prayed! Feeling a bit better today and I was able to get flowers to five different neighbors.

 

[GodDoesListen55]

Thank God it's Friday!

 

[SarahsKnight]

Thanks to those who have prayed! Feeling a bit better today and I was able to get flowers to five different neighbors.

I am glad to hear this, Miss Sampa. And may you never lose your resolve to do all these little things for others like giving your flowers to neighbors, I presume, to brighten their days just a bit more.

 

[MrMoe]

I already miss winter and the rain. I might move somewhere where it's permanently cool, someday. Seems like I'm more adept at living in the cold.

 

[DragonFox91]

Sad news: my aquarium crashed. Only survivor is my snail. Water tested horribly. I felt horrible, depressed the past few days but feel normal today. I think I added too many fish too quickly & the water got bad fast.

I'm back to the waiting game of waiting for the water to get good again. May be a couple weeks to a month which feels like a long time b/c I've been trying to get an aquarium going since May. Next time I either won't add so many fish at once or research how to get water ready for a big fish addition.

 

[JustSomeBloke]

Sad news: my aquarium crashed. Only survivor is my snail. Water tested horribly. I felt horrible, depressed the past few days but feel normal today. I think I added too many fish too quickly & the water got bad fast.

I'm back to the waiting game of waiting for the water to get good again. May be a couple weeks to a month which feels like a long time b/c I've been trying to get an aquarium going since May. Next time I either won't add so many fish at once or research how to get water ready for a big fish addition.

I had an aquarium years ago. For a new tank it's best to choose fish that are described as 'hardy'. That means they can tolerate the toxic chemicals that build up while the bacteria in the filter are multiplying, and playing catchup to breakdown all the toxic chemicals.

I chose Zebra Danios because they're known to be hardy, even though I really wanted Cardinal Tetras. I also changed part of the tank water very regularly. Be careful during water changes to make sure the temperature of the replacement water is an exact match to the tank water and has been dechlorinated.

Once the tank (filter) has matured, and the bacteria in the filter have caught up with the rate of waste production, you can add more fish. Test the water regularly, change part of the water regularly, and leave it a few months before adding more fish. Even when the tank is mature, you'll still need to change part of the water regularly to stop nitrates building up.

Another important thing is don't overfeed! Any unconsumed food will contribute to the build up of toxic chemicals in the tank.

Also, be careful with the filter. You don't want to do anything that damages the bacteria that have colonised the filter media, because then the ability to process and eliminate waste will be degraded, and you'll be back at the beginning again. For example, if it's a sponge filter, don't wash it out in chlorinated water. If you feel you must clean the filter, then squeeze it a few times in water that you have removed from the tank (during a partial water change). And don't let the filter dry out, it's full of living organisms and they might die. If you need to replace a sponge filter, consider cutting the filter in half, replacing half, then replace the other half a month or two later. Same applies to filters that are porous rock. Don't wash the porous rock filter media in chlorinated water, don't remove it from the tank for long periods, or let it dry out.

Good luck with it!

 

[DragonFox91]

I had an aquarium years ago. For a new tank it's best to choose fish that are described as 'hardy'. That means they can tolerate the toxic chemicals that build up while the bacteria in the filter are multiplying, and playing catchup to breakdown all the toxic chemicals.

I chose Zebra Danios because they're known to be hardy, even though I really wanted Cardinal Tetras. I also changed part of the tank water very regularly. Be careful during water changes to make sure the temperature of the replacement water is an exact match to the tank water and has been dechlorinated.

Once the tank (filter) has matured, and the bacteria in the filter have caught up with the rate of waste production, you can add more fish. Test the water regularly, change part of the water regularly, and leave it a few months before adding more fish. Even when the tank is mature, you'll still need to change part of the water regularly to stop nitrates building up.

Another important thing is don't overfeed! Any unconsumed food will contribute to the build up of toxic chemicals in the tank.

Also, be careful with the filter. You don't want to do anything that damages the bacteria that have colonised the filter media, because then the ability to process and eliminate waste will be degraded, and you'll be back at the beginning again. For example, if it's a sponge filter, don't wash it out in chlorinated water. If you feel you must clean the filter, then squeeze it a few times in water that you have removed from the tank (during a partial water change). And don't let the filter dry out, it's full of living organisms and they might die. If you need to replace a sponge filter, consider cutting the filter in half, replacing half, then replace the other half a month or two later. Same applies to filters that are porous rock. Don't wash the porous rock filter media in chlorinated water, don't remove it from the tank for long periods, or let it dry out.

Good luck with it!

Right. I had a betta for a month & a 1/2. Water was testing good w/ 0 ammonia, but then I added 3 tetras & a snail. & I think they added more ammonia than what the tank was set up to handle. Plus I accidentally netted by betta out of the water for a minute & that added even more stress.

So I emptied most of the water & refilled. Ammonia is testing in the 1-2 range. Hopefully it doesn't take that long to get down to 0 & I can try a betta again.

I haven't had much luck w/ this. (first betta I put in a day after setting up tank, second betta water was close to being good but not quite, then this most recent one) If my next betta dies, I think I'm just going to get a bigger tank & do a normal community aquarium.

 

[JustSomeBloke]

Right. I had a betta for a month & a 1/2. Water was testing good w/ 0 ammonia, but then I added 3 tetras & a snail. & I think they added more ammonia than what the tank was set up to handle. Plus I accidentally netted by betta out of the water for a minute & that added even more stress.

Success or failure depends on tank size, how well the filter is working, how often you are doing partial water changes, and how much food is going into the tank.

So I emptied most of the water & refilled. Ammonia is testing in the 1-2 range. Hopefully it doesn't take that long to get down to 0 & I can try a betta again.

If the tank had no fish left, I might have just left the water as is. That way the bacteria that you want to colonise the filter have plenty of waste to eat and multiply. By removing most of the water, you may have removed most of the ammonia, so there is now less driving force for the filter to become colonised with bacteria that can break down these toxic chemicals to nitrites and nitrates. Also, if you leave the water as is, the reduction in ammonia and subsequent increase, peak and decline in nitrite will be more obvious. If you record all these things, then you can see when it's right to start adding fish again. Remember, ammonia and nitrites are the most toxic. Nitrates are less of a problem, and can only be removed by water change. Nitrates are also plant food, so they will support any real plants you have in the tank, but it also means algae may grow. Patience and time is your friend here, although I appreciate that you feel you've already waited a long time, since May.

One thing you could try when the ammonia is back to zero, is to add a small amount of fish food every day. If the filter has been colonised with bacteria, then ammonia should not get too high. It will take a little while for the fish food you add to break down, so you need to give time for the ammonia to increase.

Try reading this:
Can I Use Fish Food to Cycle My Tank? (and How It Works)

I haven't had much luck w/ this. (first betta I put in a day after setting up tank, second betta water was close to being good but not quite, then this most recent one) If my next betta dies, I think I'm just going to get a bigger tank & do a normal community aquarium.

I started with Zebra Danios. They're quite hardy, and none of mine died from tank pollution. The only one that died had some kind of weird genetic mutation. It grew far bigger than all the others, and eventually became sick. Make sure you buy fish from a reputable shop. They're more likely to be healthy, and less likely to be carrying parasites. Once you have added some fish, you can change a proportion of the water regularly. Changing 1/4 of the water once or twice a week should help keep your new fish happy. Once it's settled down a bit you can partially change the water less frequently, but keep an eye on nitrates, and test for ammonia and nitrites if you add more fish.

Another thing to bear in mind is that your fish breathe the same air that you do, because it's pumped into the water via the bubbler. If you redecorate, then some of those paint fumes end up dissolved in the aquarium water.

It might help if you tell me your tank stats. How large is your tank? What filter? Do you have gravel?

Post a picture if you like.

 

[DragonFox91]

Success or failure depends on tank size, how well the filter is working, how often you are doing partial water changes, and how much food is going into the tank.


If the tank had no fish left, I might have just left the water as is. That way the bacteria that you want to colonise the filter have plenty of waste to eat and multiply. By removing most of the water, you may have removed most of the ammonia, so there is now less driving force for the filter to become colonised with bacteria that can break down these toxic chemicals to nitrites and nitrates. Also, if you leave the water as is, the reduction in ammonia and subsequent increase, peak and decline in nitrite will be more obvious. If you record all these things, then you can see when it's right to start adding fish again. Remember, ammonia and nitrites are the most toxic. Nitrates are less of a problem, and can only be removed by water change. Nitrates are also plant food, so they will support any real plants you have in the tank, but it also means algae may grow. Patience and time is your friend here, although I appreciate that you feel you've already waited a long time, since May.

One thing you could try when the ammonia is back to zero, is to add a small amount of fish food every day. If the filter has been colonised with bacteria, then ammonia should not get too high. It will take a little while for the fish food you add to break down, so you need to give time for the ammonia to increase.

Try reading this:
Can I Use Fish Food to Cycle My Tank? (and How It Works)


I started with Zebra Danios. They're quite hardy, and none of mine died from tank pollution. The only one that died had some kind of weird genetic mutation. It grew far bigger than all the others, and eventually became sick. Make sure you buy fish from a reputable shop. They're more likely to be healthy, and less likely to be carrying parasites. Once you have added some fish, you can change a proportion of the water regularly. Changing 1/4 of the water once or twice a week should help keep your new fish happy. Once it's settled down a bit you can partially change the water less frequently, but keep an eye on nitrates, and test for ammonia and nitrites if you add more fish.

Another thing to bear in mind is that your fish breathe the same air that you do, because it's pumped into the water via the bubbler. If you redecorate, then some of those paint fumes end up dissolved in the aquarium water.

It might help if you tell me your tank stats. How large is your tank? What filter? Do you have gravel?

Post a picture if you like.

My tank is 5 gallons. I've seen some sources say a betta & a snail are the only things that should go in a 5 gallon, other sources say differently; plus my friend has a 5 gallon w/ a betta, 4 tetras, & 2 loaches & it's been that way all summer. I decided after this recent episode, if I want to try tetras too someday, I should just be safe & get a 10 gallon. Either way, it seems like I handled the addition incorrectly.

The reason I drained most of my water is b/c in case there were any diseases on the fish, I want them out.

I have the 5 gallon aquarium PetSmart brand kit from PetSmart. I've been getting my fish from PetSmart. It seems like the issue is more my water hasn't been good than bringing in 'bad' fish, tho I think I'm going to get my next betta from the local fish store (very reputable in the area & been there since I was little) just to try something different.

Once ammonia gets down to zero, I'm going to add fish food every couple days & make sure ammonia stays zero. I should've done that before adding the tetras. Also should've done partial water changes every couple days w/ them in it. I tested for ammonia once w/ the full tank & it was only .25 so thought that was okay.

Hopefully it doesn't take too long for ammonia to get down to 0. I'm testing positive for Nitrates & my aquarium seemed okay when I had my betta a month & 1/2 before adding the tetras. It's not like it's a brand new tank.

I've been trying since May but I have definitely made mistakes. I feel like I'm close!

 

[sampa]

I'm back to the waiting game of waiting for the water to get good again. May be a couple weeks to a month which feels like a long time b/c I've been trying to get an aquarium going since May. Next time I either won't add so many fish at once or research how to get water ready for a big fish addition.

Praying that you will be able to get things figured out. It's a process. I had a goldfish pond at one time. Not the same as an aquarium but similar. Sounds like @JustSomeBloke has some useful advice and experience.

 

[JustSomeBloke]

My tank is 5 gallons. I've seen some sources say a betta & a snail are the only things that should go in a 5 gallon, other sources say differently; plus my friend has a 5 gallon w/ a betta, 4 tetras, & 2 loaches & it's been that way all summer. I decided after this recent episode, if I want to try tetras too someday, I should just be safe & get a 10 gallon. Either way, it seems like I handled the addition incorrectly.

That's quite a small tank. And with small tanks it's generally more difficult to keep the water chemistry stable. Mine was 8 gallons, and I wished I'd bought a little larger.

Is it this tank kit in the 5 gallon size?
https://www.petsmart.com/fish/starter-kits/top-fin-essentials-aquarium-starter-kit-40713.html

If so, it says it comes with this filter:
https://www.petsmart.com/fish/filte...silenstreamandtrade-power-filter-5262264.html

If you search online, you'll find that people have been modding these filters. The problem is that when you replace the filter cartridge, you're throwing away the bacteria colony that has formed in the filter cartridge. That's really bad, because it means you lose the biological filter that is converting ammonia and nitrites to less harmful nitrates. When you replace the cartridge, you're back at the beginning again, and pollutants may start to build up.

Try watching this video:

If you do these mods, remember not to clean the filter media in chlorinated water from the tap, as it could wipe out all the beneficial bacteria. When you do a partial water change, you can rinse the filter media in the tank water you removed. And I would put the biological ceramic filter media at the bottom, rather than the top of the filter, as you shouldn't have to touch or replace that very often at all, and you want it to remain totally submerged and wet all the time. It's only the sponge and the filter floss you might want to rinse, so put those at the top, and put the mesh bag with the biological ceramic media at the bottom.

I have the 5 gallon aquarium PetSmart brand kit from PetSmart. I've been getting my fish from PetSmart. It seems like the issue is more my water hasn't been good than bringing in 'bad' fish, tho I think I'm going to get my next betta from the local fish store (very reputable in the area & been there since I was little) just to try something different.

Yeah, it's probably mostly the water quality that's the problem. But if you mod your filter you can make it much better.

Once ammonia gets down to zero, I'm going to add fish food every couple days & make sure ammonia stays zero. I should've done that before adding the tetras. Also should've done partial water changes every couple days w/ them in it. I tested for ammonia once w/ the full tank & it was only .25 so thought that was okay.

You need to keep checking water quality, especially for the first 6-12 months, until the tank has matured, and you have confidence that the biological filter and its bacteria colony is removing pollutants. If you have even the slightest suspicion that pollutants may be increasing, then immediately change 1/4 of the water, as that buys a little more time for the biological filter and its bacteria colony to get on top of the pollution problem. And try cycling with fish food first, as it's less heart breaking than having all your fish die.

Hopefully it doesn't take too long for ammonia to get down to 0. I'm testing positive for Nitrates & my aquarium seemed okay when I had my betta a month & 1/2 before adding the tetras. It's not like it's a brand new tank.

Until the tank has matured, and you have plenty of fish surviving as evidence that it's mature, then it's always a bit of a guessing game as to where you are in the nitrogen cycle, and the only clues you'll get will come from testing or your fish dying.

 

[GodDoesListen55]

Wow, why do some people even make videos?!

 

[ReesePiece23]

My dad has three marine tanks, two freshwater tanks and a piranha tank. And has kept fish since about the late 70s.

Heaven knows why, it's taken up his entire life and he never seems happy.

 

[sampa]

Who's to say? Maybe that will come through him.

Very true! I'm glad that you help me to see things different.

There's so many times I say it's impossible because historically I never leaned some way. Yesterday on a run I was just thinking about last year when I was dating the architect/president of his town, he said he would buy me a matching bmw convertible. First I told him I did not like convertibles. But I adjusted and I bought cloth headbands that have been useful to this day and is dressing me up right now as I go out to do an errand.
Second, I said many times and I've had discussions with others I don't think I could ever do the matching thing of cars and such. But yesterday as I ran past to sports convertibles, I thought who is to say things could change with the right person.
I also learned that the convertible was nice even though I got a sunburn because I could see and look up at different houses that he had designed as he showed me. I think there were 16 of them that he showed.
So who's to say that I couldn't become a different person professionally if we are the right matching team. It sounds like you have a good fit.

We have an amazing connection and we're friends too. We'd be pals if we didn't like each other. I can talk to him for hours. We spent 9 hours on the phone when we reconnected and 4 last night. I haven't done that since cara.

I'm so glad! That's exactly what I have to have in a relationship is someone that I can connect with and talk to for hours on end.

When we discussed expectations I asked him to put it in writing. I wanted something to reference. He laid out his vision and broke it down into

that's good that you have laid out the expectations. I was just reading about a news article of someone who put together after 2 weeks of dating a dating contract. 17 pages long. They met on tinder. She was dating three guys a week during the pandemic and had decided to take the risk. She ended up falling for a guy that was in law school and he could appreciate the contract that she made and actually a year later they are still trying to keep that contract for a dating relationship. The contract was very cute with what she laid out and she was inspired because she went through a toxic relationship before.

 

[Rigatoni]

I can't see the JJ Abrams movie for all of the lens flares.

 

[bèlla]

There's so many times I say it's impossible because historically I never leaned some way.

I'm dating someone younger than my norm. I made an exception for him. But I wouldn't dip this low otherwise. His maturity supports the allowance.

So who's to say that I couldn't become a different person professionally if we are the right matching team. It sounds like you have a good fit.

He wants to arrange a shoot when he comes. I'm not a fashion stylist. Guess who's styling? He wants to build my skills.

That's good that you have laid out the expectations. I was just reading about a news article of someone who put together after 2 weeks of dating a dating contract. 17 pages long.

He's still going! He gave me the bigger picture and is filling in the details. He's methodical in structure and flexible. Some things are set in stone and others less so. Overall, I have it easy. In respect to traditional pairings. But I have responsibilities they don't. It averages out.

 

[Niels]

The past few weeks have been a blur. Staining the deck, painting the ceiling in the master bath, putting up fall decorations, taking the cat to the vet for health issues etc. Oh, and work. We've been swamped, but I suppose it's better to be needed than not.

Working with state machines in the engine has been one of the biggest headaches and hurdles I've had in game design. Getting built-in animations to overlap, as well mouse-controlled animations to work in unison has been a major challenge, and the tutorials don't help much.

What are you using them for exactly?

I'm using them to structure various tasks in a 3D medical emergency scenario. I only have them working with game objects at the moment, but by Monday I'd like to have them working with JSON files on a 3rd party asset.

Unfortunately, I've been so occupied with work, weddings, and home maintenance, that I haven't had much time for this. Hopefully, tomorrow I will make up for lost time. It's a volunteer project, and I'd rather not neglect my day job or other responsibilities, so it's been on the back burner.

Although it's been fun, it can be discouraging at times. I'm not a professional programmer, but the guys I work with have PhDs in the subject. As such, the opportunity has been simultaneously flattering and humbling. They treat me like an equal, but I'm a noob in a lot of ways. I've learned a ton, and I've contributed to the project in my own way (mostly storyboards, custom assets, and a few scripts here and there), but I need to be realistic. This should wind down in a few months though, after the funding runs out. They may ask me to join other projects, but my time is valuable and I have other things to do. Eventually, I'd like to work on more personal projects using my own characters. We've talked about this before, but this other project has taken up a lot of my time.

Yeah, animations can be tricky. Gotta love it when characters shift during transitions. For a while, there were certain Mixamo animations that I couldn't use because they wouldn't stick to the specified coordinates.

How are your games coming along?

 

[sampa]

He wants to arrange a shoot when he comes. I'm not a fashion stylist. Guess who's styling? He wants to build my skills.

Sounds interesting You have to be excited about his upcoming visit. How soon is it?

The past few weeks have been a blur. Staining the deck, painting the ceiling in the master bath, putting up fall decorations, taking the cat to the vet for health issues etc. Oh, and work. We've been swamped, but I suppose it's better to be needed than not

Sounds really busy. I'm surprised, you usually decorate by the season? I've not met many other people that do decorations for each season.

 

[Niels]

Sounds really busy. I'm surprised, you usually decorate by the season? I've not met many other people that do decorations for each season.

I have a variety of seasonal wreaths and other things that make the house look and feel like others are living here with me. Also, my American flag was looking a bit faded, so I bought a new one.