#aquarium products online

[guppysaquariumproducts]

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[backwateraquatics]

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[mayakern]

let's go on the cutest aquarium trip together 🪼

our skirts are 🌊 size inclusive (XS-8X) 🌊 made ethically 🌊 super deep pockets that can fit a nintendo switch and all of those aquarium souvenirs

[celestial-dreamscapes]

Hihi!

I was wondering if you could do a period comfort for Beel, Belphie and/or Levi? I just love these so much!

Thanks so much!

Another request said: Hello, could we please have period comfort with the twins and Levi as well?

A/N: Hii I’m soso glad you liked the other posts thank youu 🙏🏼 and thank you for the requests!!! :D

Taking care of you on your period part 3

Word count: 1.5k

Warnings: blood mention, fainting, mention of dying

Part 1

Part 2

Levi:

-He very rarely attends class in person and not online, and on one of those rare times you weren’t feeling well so he’s just very confused before you tell him because you keep standing and leaning on the desk which doesn’t look comfortable at all to him

-And it hardly helps you with the pain but it’s all you can really do while you’re in class besides pacing around which you decide to do as well near your desks at the back of the class

-The teacher decides to embarrass you in front of everyone and asks you why you’re not sitting like everyone else instead of coming up to you which makes you feel even worse, and you don’t even have it in you to throw any retorts at them

-Eventually the pain gets really really bad and even after waiting for some time after taking a painkiller it didn’t kick in, so you tell him you’re just going to head back home and so obviously he comes with you because he’s very concerned and even after you tell him the bleeding is normal, he’s heavily questioning if the amount of pain you’re having is really a normal thing for humans

-His room is unsurprisingly a really good distraction considering he has most of the stuff you’d need to be able to stay in there for hours on end (except for proper food, he only has snacks) so once the pain becomes lighter it’s a good place to unwind and get your focus off of the smaller pains

-It also provides light (from the aquarium part) without being overwhelming enough to give you a headache or migraine and it’s the perfect amount of light to still be able to fall asleep with

-He has tons of blankets and I headcanon he has a couple weighted blankets as well and he’d bring them over for you (you could fold a couple to put behind your back and on your thighs to help ease the pain a bit)

-If you’re on the taller side, his bathtub probably won’t be the comfiest considering you’re already in pain and you’d have to put yourself in an uncomfortable position that would put you in more pain and also share the tiny space with Levi on top of all that, so if you’re not willing to deal with the hassle it’s best you just both go to your room and have him carry all the blankets there for you 

-He starts off embarrassed about buying you period products, but he gets over it pretty quickly after thinking about how much pain you’re in and how much effort he’s saving you, along with the fact that anyone who mocks him for it probably isn’t able to get into a relationship of their own

-Overall, he’s really good with everything but there’s a chance he’ll get the wrong product even though he checks your messages a bunch of times to make sure 😭😭 for example, he might get the right size pad but without wings, but he does learn quickly luckily for you

Beel:

-He’s naturally very warm which most of the time is really cozy and nice but during the times when it’s warmer out or when your body is really hot on its own due to the pain it can get a bit overwhelming

-At the same time though you don’t want to distance yourself physically because then everything just feels even more off, so cuddling with the AC on and a fan blasting while you have a couple light blankets covering you are the best, especially feeling yourself drift off when the sleeping conditions are so perfect and he’s rubbing your back

-Has a tendency to be a bit suffocating with his arms when you two are cuddling so you have to squirm around a bit to figure out a comfy position

-Constantly picks you up with no problem (which all of the brothers can do technically he’s just the one who does it the most often) so that you don’t have to move if you want to go to your room or somewhere else. He has no shame in it too he’ll just carry on like it’s the most normal thing in the world and he’ll act like anyone who judges is the weird one instead of the other way around lmao

-Definitely the type to tell you to focus on resting instead of stressing over your schoolwork, since even if you stress it’s not like you’re able to do it anyway when you’re not feeling well (even if it does sound kind of harsh) so he offers to help you write an email to your teachers to ask for an extension on the deadlines because you aren’t feeling well

-Some teachers are more understanding than others, and the latter ones just get mad at you for not having started sooner, and so you’re still worried you’ll get marks deducted if you hand anything in late

-So in the end he does your work for you 🥺 he doesn’t want you to start slacking in your classes because of him but he doesn’t want you to be in so much pain and also be stressing out about something that seems so insignificant to him at the same time, so he decides to just do it for you even if it takes him a while to understand the material from classes he’s not in

-He gets you basically everything while you rest and doesn’t make any comments about you not being productive or anything that might make you feel bad for relaxing

-He’s still constantly hungry (as usual) but he does his best to push it aside so he can take care of you, especially if you’re cuddling and you fall asleep on him, he doesn’t wanna risk waking you up 

-Though he will probably text one of his brothers asking them to grab him something from the kitchen (how likely are they to actually do it though 😭)

-Sometimes when you’re taking a bath to relieve the pain you want pressure on your lower stomach at the same time but it's a lot of effort to keep your hands on your stomach at the same time as you’re trying to fully relax your body, so he does it for you while taking a bath together. If you’re at the stage where you can literally bathe together why would he be shy about touching your stomach if it’s not a problem for you?

Belphie:

-He definitely knows about periods from Lilith, I imagine she’d learn about it after visiting the human world and them both being horrified at the thought, because why is it necessary to make them bleed so often? Why not once a year instead?

-Despite this though I don’t think he’d know too many of the details, and since he’s never had actual firsthand experience helping someone with it, it would take him a while to adjust to the fact that there are so many other problems that come along with getting your period, not just blood 😔

-I’m not sure if this is canon but if it’s not, I have a headcanon that he can put others to sleep so that would definitely come in handy pretty often. You’d be in too much pain to fall asleep on your own and you can’t stay still enough to keep trying so you’re just ranting about it to him and he offers, so obviously you accept and then you wake up a few hours later feeling much better

-One problem that you encounter quite often is him falling asleep on you, which is fine on its own, but after some time it stops being comfortable for you. But he’s pretty hard to move when he’s asleep so you have to fight for your life to free yourself 

-And then all your hard work trying to move without disturbing him (which hardly ever happens anyway) is thrown away because he wakes up as soon as you get out of his grip smh

-A good thing about Belphie specifically when you’re in pain is that he’s down to lie down and sleep literally anywhere so if you think that lying down on the floor in the middle of his room with a heating pad on your stomach will help your back pain and cramps he’s down, doesn’t even take any convincing from you he’ll just do it

-Even though he still feels a bit awkward helping you and isn’t always sure what you need him to do, he starts to put in a lot more effort in accompanying you everywhere after a while

-More specifically, after you told him about how you were once home alone and the pain was so bad you thought you were genuinely about to die, and no one was answering your messages either. And about the time you forced yourself to go out even though you weren’t feeling well and nearly passed out

-Both stories really concern him so he starts going with you literally everywhere when you’re on your period because he’s slightly paranoid that you’ll end up being left alone somewhere and you actually will die from it, and he’ll have no idea until after it’s too late 

[yujisleftshoe]

Not to beat a dead horse, but LIBRARIES literally will give you online access to TV and movies for free without having to pirate them. They also have recordings of theatre productions!! I just watched David Tennants Richard ii FOR FREE with a really high quality recording FROM THE LIBRARY!!!! Everyone needs to GET A LIBRARY CARD!!!!

My library also has access to programs that can help you make your own legal documents if you can't afford an attorney but need things like wills or bills of sale or lease agreements!!

There is concerts and and documentaries and operas and Ballets from carnegie hall and the Palace of Versailles and other world class theaters!

They have coding courses! IELTS training!! News paper access that usually requires a subscription! Audio books! Music! Tickets to events and museums and aquariums and art galleries and carnivales and park passes and youth programs!!!

There is literally no reason to not have a library card. They're free.

[cryptablog]

No, No cause I have more to say about Miku Expo.

[putting a read more cause I have a LOT to say and I'm very angry but I will do a funny video drawing on this soon so whatevs]

They so HEAVILY advertised with the holograms. Even to say you can't bring your own lightstick as it could ruin the whole projection.

Only for it to be the worlds smallest movie theater tv.

I'm disgusted. THEN I FIND OUT. You can't even resell your tickets. They've CLOSED THE OPTION to RESELL the TICKETS.

The staff doesnt know whats going on and neither do we. The band sounds great but its too loud over her voice. (or her voice is too quiet >=[.)

Her model is so tiny on the screen you cant see it from a few feet away or anywhere in the stands and side viewers are COMPLETELY FUCKED.

Not to mention the ridiculous merchandising issues.

Online sold out in a matter of minutes and didn't load for a majority of people to purchase anyhow myself included.

And IN PERSON VENUES ARE WORSE. Under 100 lightsticks at Vancouver, Portland, and San Jose. The MAIN merch attraction. Not that the keychains were much BETTER but lightsticks are incredibly important to the actual LOOK of the show?

THEN! YOU LEARN MIKU AND AQOURS (AND GENSHIN???) DID A LED SHOW AND IT LOOKED BETTER THAN HER 10TH ANIVERSARY SHOW!

AND FINALLY YOU REMEMBER THAT MIKU IS GOING TO COACHELLA APRIL 12TH.

-if shes still an LED we'll not only be pissed but MAJORLY EMBARRASSED.

-If shes a hologram we'll be expecting that SAME ENERGY AT THE DAMN CONCERT THE MAJORITY SPENT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS ON.

I'm okay with leds if done correctly but the LIGHTSHOW DOESNT EVEN LOOK GOOD ITS DISTRACTING AT BEST FROM THE TINY ASS SCREEN AND PAINFULLY BAD AT WORST.

My Highschool theater did better lightwork at their production of god-damned Anastasia!

Crunchyroll your ass is GRASS. I have never been more appauled in my life.

You tricked thousands of people into buying tickets to what they expected to be a miku concert for what is essentially a glorified 4D aquarium movie.

A A A A A !!!!!

Personal Tidbit:

I was going for my birthday. And I still am. Not like I have a choice. I can't even resell or refund my fucking ticket.

[progressivemother]

Winter Activities as a Family

Winter is especially hard for stay at home moms because, we are confined indoors even more than usual due to the cold. You probably talk to people less often and are more sedentary and probably find yourself getting bored. The kids are bored and constantly complaining about wanting to do something and staying on electronics all day isn't good for anyone. To add to mine, my husband is not here.

1. The number one thing we can do is get out of the house. I know how much work it takes to get out of the house with kids. It's hard work during the winter because we have to add all the layers to keep those kiddos warm: coats, hats, mittens, scarves, boots, etc. plus snacks and drinks. It you have infants, there is a lot more to add.

• Take a hike

• Go to the park

• Go for a walk

• Go camping

• Plan a winter picnic

• Try a scavenger hunt (there are free printables and ideas anywhere online)

• Build a snowman or snow cave (if you have snow)

• Go to the zoo, museum, or aquarium

2. Talk to adults. In the winter, it’s easy to neglect relationships because you aren’t going out of the house as much. Make an intentional decision to get together with other moms and friends throughout the week.

• Invite someone over for coffee and a morning play date.

• Have an picnic playdate with some hot cocoa and snacks at a park

3. Find ways to be active. During the warmer times of the year, we play outside a lot but during the winter we tend to stay inside because it's cold.

• Have a dance party

• Find a video for indoor exercise for the whole family

• Do yoga together

4. Have some indoor fun. We can be bored while inside. Everyone wants to scroll though youtube or social media instead of spending time with family. While hanging out together, have some hot cocoa.

• Play a board game

• Have an obstacle course

• Build a fort

• Read together

• Do some art together. Our favorite is speed art

• Bake something

• Do some puzzles

• Play video games together

5. Do something productive while everyone is gone. As mothers, we tend to stay home while the kids are at school or a friend's and our spouse is at work.

• Make a blanket

• Read

• Organize that closet you've been putting off

• Paint that room

• Learn a new skill

These aren't required for anyone; these are just ideas for you and your family to spend quality time together and for you to get active. I hope that these activies are easy for you to incorporate into your lives. Always remember, no matter what you’re capable of doing or how fun you feel that you are, you are a good mom. You are doing your best and that is enough. Always remember: Quality over Quantity.

This is a picture of a blanket I made during my time alone at home. I am working on another one.

I also have a few pictures of a fun activity we did today. It is called Rainbow in a glass.

[artykyn]

here’s a token to cash in whenever you want: so what about piercings at claire’s?

Okay you asked

First of all, a traditional piercing at a reputable piercing studio uses a hollow needle to pierce your ear. The earring is essentially threaded into your ear. Needles are super sharp, sterile, and single-use.

Claire's uses a gun.

It's a special gun that loads up the earring and jams it right into your ear. They market this as "needle free piercing!" to, I don't know, calm people who are afraid of needles? But here's the thing: the gun hurts way way worse than a needle. You aren't being pierced with a sharp needle, you are being jabbed by a blunt earring.

Needle? Clean, smooth hole. Gun? Well... think about what happens if you shoot a bullet through a target. On the front, it looks like a clean circle. On the back?

That's the back of your ear after getting pierced by a gun!

Your tissues are super screwed up, your piercing wound is way bigger than it would be with a clean, sharp needle, and your healing process is more complicated. The stud you stick on the back of your earring is pressed against all that loose flappy damaged skin that is now desperate to heal itself from such blunt force trauma-- don't be surprised if your skin grows and heals around the stud in the same way that trees "consume" things.

Also you can't even sterilize a piercing gun properly. Shopping mall piercing kiosks claim that it's sterile but the fact is that single-use needles and disposable surgical gloves are way more sterile than a gun you clean between every customer.

Claire's tries to market it as a "No contact!" piercing method that's "cleaner" because the piercer's hand doesn't have to touch your ear. If you trust a surgeon to physically touch your organs then what's the big deal about a professional piercer touching your ear?

Since the cartilage of your ear is way more delicate than your lobe, using a piercing gun there is more likely to straight up shatter your ear. Like shooting a gun at a block of wood. Lots of cracks and splinters!!

By the way, Claire's is not the only place that uses piercing guns. In fact, you can even buy them yourself online to do "at-home piercing".

Avoid them. Oh my god please avoid them.

Second of all you need high-grade metal for an initial piercing. Low-grade stainless steel is okay for a healed piercing. But using it for an initial piercing is how you risk allergic reactions, irritation, rejection (it never heals, and your body forces it out). This is also how you can put yourself at risk of spontaneously developing a nickel allergy that you will have for the rest of your life! (Like me!!)

Claire's does have some high-grade metals you can choose from. But they also offer stainless steel. Most stainless steels use nickel as part of the alloy mix. If you're going for stainless steel for a first piercing, get surgical-grade.

Let's assume you wanted an aquarium. Obviously, a store that specializes in aquariums has better products than a generic store like Petco. The employees at an aquarium store are also WAY better informed about aquariums and fish, and can give you better advice, as opposed to the average Petco worker, who has a general knowledge of all animals but nothing too in-depth about any specific ones. Some of the suggestions I've been given by Petco workers would 100% be animal torture. They don't know better.

That's Claire's. The employees aren't professional piercers, they are retail workers who got basic piercing training. For that reason, piercings are super cheap! You get what you pay for.

My final gripe is around piercing culture in general. Piercings are, I'm sure you're aware, often gendered as a "feminine" thing. A woman having her ear lobes pierced is super common. And if a woman wants to have pierced ears, okay, but my issue is with mothers who take their infant baby girls to get their ears pierced.

Those are women who did not want to get their ears pierced. Their mothers forced it upon them as a baby, because their mothers had some weird obsession with gender roles and aesthetic appearance and wanted to treat their baby like a doll. If a man forced his girlfriend to get her ears pierced so she'd look more feminine, that'd be sketchy. Why is it okay for mothers to pierce their baby's ears?? A baby is a human being, not a toy.

Putting a bow on your kid is one thing. Putting them through permanent body-altering procedures for the sake of YOUR aesthetics, however? Would you tattoo freckles on your child if freckles were considered a cute feminine thing for girls to have? Would you sign your brown-eyed baby up to get that procedure that turns their eyes blue, if blue eyes were considered feminine? What is your limit? How far do gender roles have to go before you question them?

Let people choose for THEMSELVES if they want to get a piercing, or any other body alteration. For goodness's sake. Why does that have to be said.

"Oh it's just a piercing it's not a big deal" babies do not understand the care instruction "do not touch". The baby will touch the piercing. The baby will crawl and roll around and put their ears against the floor and many other things. The risk of infection and bad healing is super high. The risk of your child now growing up with a deformed ear is super high.

ESPECIALLY if you use a piercing gun.

And guess what?

Claire's will happily pierce your baby's ears for you.

[ineffable-opinions]

VIP Only (2023) ep. 3, 4 & 5

Review: Soft to strong.    Rating: 7/10

Summary: Author struggling with a writer’s block and non-existent love-life, Lui Li, becomes a permanent fixture at Gu Jing’s restaurant. Will Gu Jing’s indulgence be a panacea for Lui Li’s troubles?

Pairing: weak gong X weak shou turning strong

What I liked:

# Aquarium date

I think that aquariums are one of the most visually pleasing places to have date at. It is a public enough place that is still in-doors/all-weather. It gives plenty of opportunity to chat and build a rapport.

Those visuals reminded me of in Color Rush (2020) and Kei×Yaku: Abunai Aibou (2022).

# cute prop

It is so cute. The You Are Mine (2023) CP had their acrylic stand super-randomly placed in the room and appearing centrally in cut-away shots and transition shots.

# Egg scene

It is common for a couple to feed other by hand, soup, chopstick, lips, etc. Due to trope reasons, I don’t appreciate people not part of pairing feeding those who are part of the paring, unless it is kids or parents or kin figures. So I would have been upset if Gu Jing’s employee was to feed Liu Li the egg he peeled.

# Gu Jing's drama

Gu Jing being filial-piety-trapped into the taking care of the restaurant rather than being able to freely pursue an ad industry career is a reflection of Taiwanese capitalism. This was also explored in the two BL series this production house did prior to this with increasing levels of familial obligations in each. SME longevity problems! Laissez-faire who?

While it is not shown who exactly is draining him financially and emotionally, it is probably his grandma or someone among his kin. Gu Jing having problems of his own not only adds to his arc but also complicates the pair dynamics as we see at the end of ep 5. Too drained to date is one of the more realistic tropes in BL.

The online smear-campagin he faced and the leech kin are probably connected too.

But then Liu Li’s absconding parents, who seems to want him to settle down, are no solace either.

# Liu Li’s third book

I love how his books so far have been commemoration of a love that didn’t happen and associated heart-break. I love the ease with which they strike their deal. Lui Li knows what he wants. So does Gu Jing. I mean, Liu Li was studiously taking notes of Gu Jing when the latter is working, cooking or simply existing. The CP has progressed to a point where Lui Li is not a passive part of Gu Jing’s still-life photography, now he is actively posing. Gu Jing proactively offered his romantic services for Liu Li’s novel factory, free-of-cost. They are folding origami bluebirds even when out on snack breaks discussing the novel.

# Super cool CP

As their first date/b'day hangout revealed, they have different visions of dating.

Gu Jing is pursuing by lecturing on pursuing. Lesson #1 was constantly creating physical contact during romantic pursuit. Delivered while maintaining physical contact. Hands-on approach to teaching. Simulated dating. Complete with blocking drinks and honeyed water hangover remedy. I didn’t even get too irritated by the turning face into kiss trope. But I continue in my conviction that the director did the series dirty by opting for different angle shots of that kiss. Holding that pose is awkward on so many levels.

And Liu Li is fully leaning into the wakashu/apprentice trope.

But in many ways, they are like an old married couple. They seem to sync like they have known each other for ages. Especially, the way they tease each other. Not to forget their body language when returning from the horror movie.

Misattribution of arousal, suspension bridge effect, Lima syndrome, Stockholm syndrome etc. None of them got anything to do with this CP.

Body as pillow scene looked so comfortable.

Playing with origami bluebirds should have looked way more childish but with how short that scene was I think the director managed to nail the scene without making it awkward or uneventful. This BL has unleashed so many silly things to do when drunk that are totally sane.

Even outside drunken shenanigans, this couple spends a lot of time in-doors in harmony, folding paper and making dumplings.

“You are more well-behaved after drinking.” Gu Jing is an inspiration for BL characters around the world.

Also, Liu Li probably thinks of himself as the gong. Overall, I get the vibe that even if he gets to be gong for their first time, it wouldn’t last. A’Li, better luck in next life. For now, please enjoy Gu Jing’s services and bite what you can actually chew.

# Gu Jing & A’Ren

I like the tacit-understanding and the overall dynamic between Gu Jing and A’Ren. I particularly like the taste-testing scene where the employee gets to try the new thing. What made that scene even better was how Gu Jing endorsed Liu Li’s picky eating habit in the very next scene.

What I didn’t like:

# Underutilized beauty

Danmei is called so for a reason. Gu Jing’s 一姐* goodness has been wasted so far, imo. We got to see him in sleeveless just once but even then, it wasn’t the most flattering look. He also got an unflattering POV shot for no reason at all. Why? I am disappointed at the DOP.

# What’s with the tiny pottery-making scene? I hope there is an extended version somewhere.

# Song lyrics at the bottom corners of the screen gives me the impression that end credits are rolling. Each time it takes me aback. They should have placed the lyrics, in motion, vertically on either of the sides.  

-----

一姐: first sister; apex of gay hierarchy in their culture

[russilton]

I’m thinking about starting a fish tank! Do you have any advice on a tank for beginners? I’m a broke college student so my budget is like $150 and I don’t want to get a massive tank.

I can absolutely give you some advice, but also I want to stress upfront that if I seem a little discouraging, it comes from a place of caring about the welfare of fish in the pet trade. They’re all questions I had to ask myself before I got my fish and are why I waited so long to get mine.

So to start with- don’t get goldfish

Don’t get goldfish. don’t get goldfish? Don’t get goldfish!

I LOVE my goldfish, with my whole heart. They are the pet I wanted more than anything for a good part of my life. But there is no goldfish that is compatible with a small tank. Even the fancy ones need a minimum 50 gallons (30 for one, 10 each for two more, they are social and need to be kept in groups). Long bodied goldfish are pond or big tank fish, my tank is 5ft long, it takes an hour or more to clean each week, and when I eventually move with them? Moving it will take 4 people and two cars. Why will I have to move with them? They can live 10-20 years. They shit like machines because they have a massive bio load. You can’t keep most plants with them cause they’ll eat them, and you have to make sure nothing in their tank can fit in their mouth or they’ll eat it. They are aquatic toddlers. Don’t get goldfish!

Okay with that out the way, there are lower budget friendly fish, but please consider that they’re a pet and while you can do most moderate fish vet care at home, you will be their vet and that can be expensive. There’s been more than a couple times my boys have taken up my free spending budget to get chemicals or food they need.

Make sure caring for them is something you can fit in your weekly schedule. You’ll need to clean their tank every week by doing a water change, this maintains a healthy nitrogen cycle. This means removing some water and then replacing it with fresh dechlorinated water, swishing filter media in old water, and removing waste and any plant trimmings you may need to do. Fish keeping is like keeping an entire ecosystem, you’re trying to create an out of place environment, and that means you’re the boss. Same goes for reptiles and amphibians.

Last point before I get to some recommendations: do your research. Do it online. NEVER rely on a pet store for your lone source of advice. I love my local fish store but I don’t trust even them as my sole source of info. Also be wary of where your info is coming from. If a website is owned by an aquatic product company, they’re going to give you info that favours their products.

Get yourself well, well acquainted with the nitrogen cycle, it’s the foundation of fish keeping. Make sure you research every flora or fauna you want to put in your tank, know it’s needs and if you can meet them, and how it interacts with other fish or animals. I had a fish die because he ate one of his tank mates I was assured he wouldn’t and it gave him bloat. Mistakes happen, and I was devastated by it. You don’t have to always assume the worst, but be prepared for it.

Genuinely the best advice can come from Reddit. I know, I KNOW, reddit is full of know-it-all pains in the ass. And that’s why it’s great for aquarium info, because you will find no greater treasure trove of guides and wikis on recommended care, because these folks will have spent a lot of time correcting people’s care, and have made guides to point people to. Every question you can think of has been asked. I’ve frequented the r/goldfish sub when I needed care advice or just wanted to share my boys. YouTube can also be great if you want more gentle and personable advice. There is a product review for everything and a treatment guide for any ailments. Research the critter you want back to front and back again. Know their diets, lifespan, favoured habitats. Look at how other successful keepers are keeping their fish.

Please never settle for the bare minimum. Just because a fish CAN live in a lacking environment doesn’t mean they should. Just you wait till you see their little personalities come out, I can’t imagine not doing the best I can for my boys when I see their little bodies light up when I walk into the room. Their love is humbling.

So, recommendations! First of all: tanks

If you’re in America, I believe petco (or pet smart? Google it) have something called a dollar a gallon sale. This is insane and I wish we had it here. If you want something small, 5gal can keep a betta fish quite happy, if you can spare the space, a 10 gal is much better! I have an 11 gal tropical that I find the maintainance on finicky, but easier than the big tank. The bigger you have the more you can keep. Anything you keep in 15gal or below tends to be considered a “nano” tank, and it’s best to follow guides for those kinds of tanks. But also, be wary of articles trying to tell you one kind of fish CAN live in a nano tank, and every other keeper site going “okay but it should be in a 20 because it needs to be kept in a school”

My currently uninhabited tropical 11, looking a little hairy. The heater broke and I’m waiting till I can get a new one, but the plants don’t much mind since it’s in a heated room.

If you don’t have access to cheap tanks new, try eBay. Yes eBay. My 126 gal 5ft tank? £41 second hand from a downsizing cichlid breeder. It should have cost £500 or more new. You can get some insane deals on stuff from smaller businesses on there too. I’ve also been told to keep an eye on Facebook marketplace. I tried but I abhor Facebook and favoured eBay.

Equipment and chemicals:

You don’t have to go to the fancy brands but trust me it’ll last longer and probably work better. The stuff I bought from a good and mostly trusted label always stuck around. It’s also good to buy from smaller fish focused businesses, because they’re putting the work in to test and cater to fish keepers. I’ll always go to somewhere like seachem or fluval, rather than pets at home, even if it’s more expensive, because my fluval siphon still works so well two years later, and seachem prime and alert has yet to steer me wrong. If you can, invest in higher quality foods too. I’ve got so many compliments on my fish after switching to repashy gel. It’s more dear but I can prep the food and freeze it in advance, it’s much nicer on their tummies, they love it, and it comes from a company that focuses on exotic pet food blends.

If there’s one thing you don’t cheap out on, filters and heaters. They are the engines that keep your tank moving, and if they break it’ll leave you scrambling.

When you’re doing your research, make sure to look out for having emergency supplies ready. I have a make shift hospital tank stocked away, back up battery air pumps incase there’s a power outage, and a large lidded bucket should my tank fail and the fish need to be put elsewhere.

Plants:

If you’re keeping anything other than goldfish, you will probably want some tropical plants! It can be expensive to start and a bit scary looking, but they’ll help your filtration by eating up all the adverse chemicals in your tank! Plus, it’s self growing decor.

I can personally recommend Anubias, Chinese water weed, crypts, Java fern, Amazon swords, Mariano moss balls, hornwort, Java moss.

All of these are low light low tech plants that don’t take much care, and those first three are my faves. A good local fish store can help you pick some that suit you, mine did!

Finally, the bit you were probably looking for: fish

Assuming you’re going for a small nano tank, I would genuinely recommend a betta fish!

They’re generally affordable, not too much maintenance, don’t need to be kept in groups (in fact, you SHOULDN’T keep them in groups, solo only), and so pretty and full of personality. Do not follow any advice that lets you think you can keep them in fuckin vases, you can’t. But you can keep them in 5-10 gal heated planted tanks.

Please avoid buying them from anywhere that sells them in cups, I know it’s tempting to save them, but all you’re doing is encouraging that business by giving them money. I have seen people get sicker ones free, but be prepared for that potential heartache. They aren’t sold like that in the U.K. usually and you should only be buying from places that keep them in small isolated tanks. Support businesses that care for their fish, and you will get a healthy fish for it. Remember for chain stores, it can benefit their business model that your fish dies and you come back to get a new one. Not all stores are like that, but some are.

If bettas aren’t your ball game, consider nano schooling fish like raspbora or some tetra! I’m personally looking at pygmy corydora and ottos for my small tank.

And don’t count out invertebrates! Look up Amano of Neocardinia shrimp! (Aka cherry shrimp), I will be getting myself some! There’s also so many freshwater snails, and you’ll probably end up with some whether you like it or not. I have hitchhiking ramshorn and mystery snails in my nano. I couldn’t kill them if I tried! They just plod along growing in my tank without my help at all.

At the end here it’s worth just saying: you are going to make mistakes. You will. We all do. You may lose fish for it, and it’s heartbreaking. I’ve lost fish in my learning journey and it strikes you down hard. But that’s why it’s important to do your research, it reduces the likelihood of it, and means YOU know that you did your absolute best.

Got to the end? I’m proud of you! That was so much, here’s a video from last night of my boy tiger bothering me for cuddles while I was scrubbing. He won’t leave me alone till I stroke his back or tummy. If it looks like the water is low, it is, we were doing a big big clean yesterday.

[doctorguilty]

Long vent

Upset because my food stamp application was pending for 10 days and I finally decided to call them the other day like hey this hasn't updated but my documents are marked reviewed? So the person checked my file and was like oh yeah they left a note that they need more info on xyz..... there was no notice updating that online, they did not send a letter by mail..... so i uploaded another document and waiting for that to get reviewed but I'm stressed because the decline date is the 31st of this month and it's memorial day weekend so who knows when they'll review it, if they will in time, and if they still think my new document is too vague it's gonna pass the 31st and I'll have to start ALL over ... like that's not my fault omfg I'm supposed to get notified on my account AND BY PHYSICAL MAIL if more documents are needed!!!

I'm so hungry all the time because I can't afford to buy a lot until this goes through and like my grandparents will offer to buy food for me because they do for literally all my siblings but my grandpa is weirdly pushy about the food stamps for just me specifically like I guess because I had them before and I had to explain a billion times they don't just transfer from Oregon to Connecticut I need to apply for the specific state, and he's like "I don't understand because the money comes from the federal government" like yes but idk man that's how it works!! Like he gets so hung up on what Makes Sense to him and be confused when it doesn't work like that (which makes it even funnier that he's a republican voter like oh so you agree I shouldn't have to jump through hoops to get food benefits? You agree things should literally just make sense and things should be accessible and easy for people in need?)

Anyway so it just makes me feel bad and awful for asking for help (story of my whole entire life) so I end up kinda letting myself go hungry and saying it's fine.. the MAJORITY of my money goes to pet supplies my ebay my etsy, everything I have right now (which is still slow) goes to that, art supplies, and then necessities/replacing things from moving/etc, I was hoping that aquarium job would come through but if you missed the updated on that turns out they're getting investigated for animal neglect so that's probably why I got ghosted on, cause my life can't be normal for 5 seconds

Anyway it's a bad loop because its like malnourished -> too fatigued to be productive -> not making enough money -> malnourished, idk what to do sometimes besides break down and cry where no one can see

[mayakern]

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[beesandwasps]

No, but seriously: the reality of capitalism means that Internet Of Things devices are always going to either be a security risk or suck.

Consider: the company has some specific task they want their device to do — monitor your aquarium’s temperature, or control your HVAC, or turn your lights on and off. The task is well-defined in advance, so they can build a device which can handle that task exactly. There is not going to be a future need for the single device you bought to do other things, because it is understood to be built and sold for a specific purpose. It is understood from the start that if you need an upgrade to this device, enough stuff will have changed that you will more or less automatically be looking at a replacement.

So, the company decides “hey, let’s make this device programmable, so it’s ‘smart’, and let’s give it an Internet interface because controlling it from a tablet/cell phone is a great selling point for anybody who wants programmable stuff — we can give them an elaborate interface without having to build the hardware into the device itself”.

Well, now you have a device which is sophisticated enough to do Bad Things (because it has to be, in order to be ‘smart’), which has an Internet connection. There is no way to be sure in advance that a sophisticated programmable device cannot be hacked. (Anybody who claims otherwise is either ignorant or lying.) There is also no way to be sure that a hackable device with an Internet connection can’t be hacked by way of that connection. (Again: anybody claiming otherwise is either ignorant or lying.) The best we can ever do is to say: “the software which comes with this device is proof against all the hacks we were aware of and tested against” — but hackers are always out there looking for new exploits so this is not a permanent guarantee, even in the best of cases.

So in order to keep your device secure, it has to receive software updates.

But monitoring for new threats and writing updates to stop them? That means a programmer has to do work, for which they must be paid. So there has to be revenue to pay that programmer. How do you get that? Either you charge up front, in which case the product has a limited lifespan before it is costing your company money to continue support, or else you have to charge a subscription fee, which means your product kind of sucks.

(Or, of course, you can go open source — but this both gives any competitors you may have insight into anything clever you may have done and makes it easier for homebrewers to bypass your company completely. As 3D printing becomes more and more available, this is more and more of a thing for small device manufacturers to have to worry about.)

(This is, incidentally, related to how Nintendo wants you to buy a subscription to an online service to do online play instead of just providing a free service that they can’t back out of without shutting everything down, even if it starts putting them in the red, as they did with the DS/Wii “Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection” thing.)

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Cost-Effective Hydroponics Farming Solutions for USA Farmers

In recent years,hydroponics farms have gained significant popularity in the USA, primarily due to their resource efficiency and potential to revolutionize modern agriculture. As farmers face mounting challenges from climate change, soil degradation, and limited access to arable land, hydroponics offers an innovative solution that maximizes yield while minimizing water and space usage. This blog will explore various cost-effective hydroponics farming solutions tailored to USA farmers, emphasizing ways to reduce initial investment and operational costs without compromising on productivity.

Introduction to Hydroponics Farming

Hydroponics farms are a method of growing plants without soil by using nutrient-rich water. Instead of relying on traditional farming practices, this system uses various mediums such as gravel, perlite, or coconut coir to anchor the plants while their roots absorb nutrients directly from the water. For farmers in the USA, hydroponics farms can be a viable alternative to conventional agriculture, particularly in urban areas where space is limited.

Benefits of Hydroponics Farming in the USA

Farmers across the USA are increasingly adopting hydroponics farming for several reasons:

Water Efficiency: Hydroponics systems can use up to 90% less water compared to traditional farming. This is particularly advantageous for regions in the USA experiencing water shortages.

Space Saving: Hydroponic systems are ideal for urban areas, allowing farmers to grow more crops in smaller spaces. Vertical farming techniques further maximize space usage.

Year-Round Production: Unlike conventional farming, which is often seasonal, hydroponics allows for year-round crop production by controlling environmental conditions.

Fewer Chemicals: The controlled environment reduces the need for pesticides and herbicides, resulting in healthier, more organic crops.

Higher Yields: Since the plants receive a consistent supply of nutrients, they tend to grow faster and produce higher yields.

The Cost Barrier for USA Farmers

While the advantages of hydroponics farms are clear, the initial setup costs can be a significant barrier for small and medium-scale farmers in the USA. The price of equipment, nutrient solutions, and energy required to maintain the system can add up quickly, especially for those new to the practice. However, there are several cost-effective solutions available to make hydroponics farming more accessible.

1. Choosing the Right Hydroponic System

Different types of hydroponic systems vary in complexity and cost. The key to affordability is choosing a system that matches the farmer's budget and needs. Here are some of the most popular systems:

Deep Water Culture (DWC): This is one of the simplest and most cost-effective systems, where plant roots are suspended in a nutrient solution. The system requires minimal infrastructure and maintenance, making it ideal for beginners.

Nutrient Film Technique (NFT): In this system, a thin film of nutrient solution flows over the roots. It’s more efficient but requires a bit more investment in pumps and channels. However, for large-scale farms, the efficiency and scalability make it worth the investment.

Drip Systems: These are versatile and can be easily customized to fit the farm's size. While the upfront cost is higher, drip systems are known for their precision and efficiency, reducing waste and enhancing cost savings in the long run.

2. DIY Hydroponics Systems

Farmers can significantly reduce costs by building their own hydroponics farms. Many online resources and guides explain how to construct simple systems using affordable materials. For instance:

Recycled Materials: Plastic containers, buckets, and even old PVC pipes can be repurposed to create hydroponic setups. This reduces the cost of purchasing specialized equipment.

Low-Cost Pumps and Timers: Small submersible water pumps used in aquarium setups can be a low-cost alternative to commercial-grade pumps.

Farmers can further save on operational costs by incorporating automation systems such as timers for irrigation and lighting, which can be programmed to deliver nutrients and water at the right intervals.

3. Choosing the Right Nutrient Solutions

One of the ongoing costs in hydroponics farms is the nutrient solution. Opting for cost-effective nutrient blends, or even making your own nutrient solution, can reduce long-term expenses. Some tips include:

DIY Nutrient Solutions: Farmers can create their own nutrient mixtures by purchasing the raw materials in bulk. Calcium nitrate, magnesium sulfate, and potassium nitrate are common ingredients that can be mixed to form a basic nutrient solution.

Reusing Nutrient Water: With proper filtration and nutrient management, the water used in hydroponic systems can be recirculated and reused for several weeks before needing replacement, significantly reducing water and nutrient costs.

4. Energy-Efficient Lighting and Heating

Hydroponics farms, especially indoor setups, often rely on artificial lighting and climate control. These can be major operational expenses, especially for farmers aiming for large-scale production. Here are some ways to reduce energy costs:

LED Grow Lights: LEDs are energy-efficient alternatives to traditional high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps. Although they have a higher upfront cost, they use less electricity and last longer, leading to long-term savings.

Solar Panels: Investing in renewable energy sources like solar panels can drastically cut energy costs in the long run. Solar energy can power lights, pumps, and heating systems, making the farm more sustainable and reducing its reliance on the grid.

Thermal Insulation: In colder climates, heating costs can become a burden. By insulating greenhouses or indoor grow spaces, farmers can reduce the need for artificial heating, thus lowering energy bills.

5. Leveraging Vertical Farming

Vertical farming is an excellent space-saving technique that maximizes crop production per square foot. By stacking plants in tiers, farmers can grow multiple layers of crops in the same space. This not only increases yields but also makes the most of available lighting and water resources.

Many vertical farming setups are designed to work with hydroponic systems, allowing for greater efficiency. In the USA, urban areas with limited land can particularly benefit from this approach, as it offers a solution to high land costs and limited space.

6. Grants and Subsidies for Hydroponic Farming in the USA

USA farmers looking to adopt hydroponics farms can take advantage of various government grants and subsidies aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture. Programs such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) by the USDA offer financial assistance for farmers to implement water-efficient systems, including hydroponics. These programs can significantly reduce the initial investment required for starting a hydroponics farm.

In addition, many states offer specific grants and tax incentives to encourage sustainable farming practices, which can further lower the costs of adopting hydroponic systems.

7. Automation and Smart Technology

Another way to reduce operational costs is by incorporating automation into hydroponics farms. Smart farming technologies, such as sensors and automated nutrient dispensers, allow farmers to monitor and control the system remotely. This reduces the need for manual labor and ensures precise nutrient delivery, improving crop yields and reducing waste.

pH and EC Sensors: These sensors monitor the pH and electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution, ensuring that plants receive the optimal nutrient levels. By automating this process, farmers can reduce the risk of human error and improve efficiency.

Automated Irrigation: Timers and smart irrigation systems can be programmed to deliver water and nutrients at specific intervals, reducing labor costs and ensuring that plants are consistently nourished.

8. Partnering with Local Markets and Restaurants

Farmers looking to maximize profits from their hydroponics farms can establish direct partnerships with local markets, grocery stores, and restaurants. These businesses are often willing to pay a premium for fresh, locally-grown produce, especially in urban areas where farm-to-table trends are growing in popularity. By cutting out the middleman and selling directly to consumers, farmers can increase their profit margins.

Conclusion

Hydroponics farms present a sustainable and efficient way for USA farmers to grow crops in a changing agricultural landscape. While the initial setup costs may be a concern, there are many cost-effective solutions available to make hydroponics accessible to farmers of all scales. From choosing the right system and reusing materials to leveraging grants and adopting energy-efficient practices, farmers can significantly reduce their investment and operational costs.