Opi's Ramblings » fish tanks

MeMe Award

opicana — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:59:25 +0000

Tara awarded me the Meme Blog Award back in July: http://tarasg101.wordpress.com/2009/07/05/meme/

I’m honored she chose me, and it is the first blogging award that I have ever received. However, I didn’t complete what I needed to, to properly receive the award. You see, I was supposed to share 7 things about myself. Then award 7 of my readers with the award. I didn’t do this because I’m not sure I have 7 other readers with blogs. Since it is mainly my friends who read my posts- and even then, not too many.

So, if you read this post and have a blog, PLEASE leave a comment below, and then I will give you this award. It doesn’t matter who you are since you are one of the few people to read this darn thing, I’d like to know more about you whether you be friend or stranger.

On to the 7 things that you may not know about me:

1. I’m very neurotic about my time. I make lots and lots of lists. Sure, a simple to do list may sound normal. But, I assure you that I take list-making to the next level. I almost *always* have a list of things to do. I break what I need to do down into categories and rotate between the categories. Practically everything is on the list from checking e-mail to getting out my outfit for the next day. I’m not a total pyschopath, I make exceptions for trips, vacations, and the like. Though, even in some of those cases lists may crop up here and there. I schedule breaks and fun time. For example, a typical weekend category list may look like: To Do List (a sub-list with more specific tasks that need to be done); Check E-mail; Do 1 Load of Laundry; Play Neverwinter. And I will rotate between those four, and the sub-list of “to do” will also rotate. It is difficult for me to do spontaneous activities. I will almost always decline a impromptu invite from a friend to go somewhere, I don’t know why.

2. Many of you may know that I am working on getting my master’s degree in Ecology, and some of you know that I working in a microbiology with bacteria…and something about air, sludge and agriculture. But few of you (other than the folks in my dept.) probably know what I actually do everyday. I do DNA fingerprinting of the bacteria. So, I make a fingerprint gel just like you would see in any of the forensics shows…just bacterial DNA and not human. Hey, I think its pretty cool.

3. I grew up on Cape Cod. The ocean is an extremely important aspect of Cape life, for obvious reasons (if you’ve never been there, it’s pretty much a giant beach). Despite this- or maybe because of it- I’m not a huge fan of the ocean. Actually, I have an interesting relationship with the ocean. I hate going to the beach…I burn easily, laying around doing nothing bores the crap out of me, I don’t like the feeling of sand in my food, or in my sandwiches. I don’t like swimming in the ocean…give me a pool, please…ocean water is sticky, seaweed is gross, and crabs are very scary. I don’t like seafood…any kind…I don’t eat fish or shellfish. I can’t stand the flavor or the smell. I’m scared of the ocean…I won’t go on boats…the water is way too deep and too many scary things live in the cold, dark water. However…When I was younger I wanted to be a marine biologist (until I discovered I was scared of the ocean). I love marine life, dolphins are one of my favorite animals. I volunteered and worked at the National Marine Life Center- a rehab. hospital for injured and stranded marine life. I’m passionate about the ocean’s well-being…pollution, over-fishing, etc…I love fish- as pets and to watch. Aquariums are one of my favorite things to visit. I’ve worked with freshwater fish…measuring them, cutting them open, analyzing their diet- and the smell doesn’t bother me then. I hate nautical themed decor…lighthhouses, sailboats…a very common theme in Cape homes, but I love fishermen. I love reading stories about fishing, fishing boats, being out on the ocean for days. Two of my favorite songs are “Downeaster Alexa” and “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”. My mind is a mystery.

4. Speaking of fish, I am a freshwater hobby aquarist (aka I like fish tanks). I have a 72g, a 46g and a 20g that are up in running plus a 10g and 3g. I would like to turn all of my fishtanks into biotopes, meaning I try to replicate a natural habitat as best I can…in terms of color, driftwood, rocks, substrate, plants, nutrients, fish species and invert species. I am still working on my 1st one. A SE Asian Biotope in the 46g bow. It has been sorely neglected though due to summer finances (particularly the sick kitty). I hope to start working on it again soon. It needs more fish!

5. I collect 3 things: postcards, giant microbes, and munchkin games. How many of you knew what all three of those were? LOL. Well, I’m sure everyone is familiar with postcards. I have a wall in my office dedicated to postcards. I have hundreds- I should really count them some day. I have them from all over the world…ones I bought, ones friends and family have sent to me, and ones I exchanged on Postcrossing. Giant Microbes you may be less familar with. They are giant stuffed microorganisms. I have Salmonella, Clostridium, E. Coli, S. aureus, and Ebola. I hope to continue expanding my collection. Munchkin is a game by Steve Jackson that pokes fun at RPGs. Orginally, it just poked fun at D&D, but they expanded it to include super heroes, vampires, ninjas, pirates and even the wild west. I have tons of expansion packs, and the collection is growing all the time. The game is hysterical, and wicked fun to play.

6. My dream house would be located in the interior of Maine (though both New Hampshire and Vermont would suffice). I love New England, cold weather, lakes, mountains, pine trees (esp. White Pine), moose and bears. I would love a log cabin with rustic decor…plaids, dark and warm colors, forest animals, lots of wood, etc… I will take a snowy retreat over a tropical destination any day. I love not having phone service. I love the small quaint shops and the quiet living.

7. I am a true “gamer”. I love all games…board games, card games, word games, computer games, console games, and roleplaying games. My favorite board game is the Game of Life. If I had money to waste, I would collect Life games. I have the normal game, plus a pirate one. I don’t see the benefit of continue to collect more since they are basically the same game (unlike Munchkin where adding more decks constantly improves the game); my favorite card game is Munchkin- if that counts….if not, then Uno…unless you are only counting normal cards, then hearts; my favorite word games are logic puzzles; my favorite computer games are The Sims 2 & 3, Civilization and Tropico; my favorite console game is Mario Party; and my favorite RPG is D&D, Eberron Setting. Oh, and I also love the arcade style games…like the facebook games…my favorite one is Restaurant City.

Some giant microbes.

A very outdated photo of my postcard wall, I will have to take a new one soon.

SE Asian Biotope Progress

opicana — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 19:53:53 +0000

Here are some before shots. However, please keep in mind this was a TEMPORARY tank that was just holding some frogs I was fostering. So, pardon the barren scape. I was combating some algae issues from the previous owner’s setup.

The plan is to replicate a southeast Asian blackwater pool as much as possible.

Plants & Fish will all be Asian natives, though they may not necessarily live in the same habitat (that would be a lot harder to achieve).

Decor: Live plants & Driftwood…the habitat is vegetation heavy, but has few if any rocks.

Water Coloration: Eventually, we hope to have nice tea-colored water that mimics blackwater coloration. We will achieve this by removing the carbon from the filtration system (which will not harm the fish), and adding peat to the filter. This will have the added benefit of lowering our pH which is a bit on the high side.

Substrate: Gravel (reddish stones), flourite and laterite mix. We are shooting for an ir0n-rich look, as appropriate for the habitat.

On Saturday, we arranged our substrate and driftwood, and on Sunday night, we began adding the plants. In a few days, we will begin adding our fish. We already have cycled media, and the plants will act as a buffer, so we can put in fish quicker than normal. Still, we will add them only 2 at a time, and watch the water parameters as we do so.

Tank Equipment:

200w Stealth Heater * 2

Eheim Classic 2213 Cannister Filter

96w Power Compact Lighting; 6700k

DIY CO2 setup

Background: Black

Current Status:

Starting an Asian Biotope Tank

opicana — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 21:57:15 +0000

This weekend we are starting up our 46g Asian Biotope Tank!

Concept: Southeast Asian Blackwater Pool Biotope

Future Fish Species:

Zebra Danio (Danio rerio)

Angelicus Loach (Botia kubotai)

Kuhli Loach (Pangio kuhlii)

Blue Gourami (Trichogaster trichopterus)

Decor: Live Plants & Driftwood; no rocks aside from the substrate

Substrate: Laterite & Gravel mix; we are going for an iron-rich look; the literature suggests this tank should have a iron-rich substrate, and that lots of laterite should be present…we’ll be mixing in smaller smooth stones of reddish tones

Current: Slow-moving; “pool”

Aerogarden, Chicken Pot Pie Casserole, and 101 Update

opicana — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 04:54:20 +0000

Aerogarden Update

All but 1 of the pods has sprouted.

The tomatoes shot up overnight! One day they weren’t sprouted at all, the next they are above the cover and needed their domes taken off!

The Italian basil is still doing well, and 3 of the 4 salad greens have sprouted.

Here’s a picture of Stacy’s Chicken Pot Pie recipe. I still prefer the more traditional style crust…because that’s my favorite part, lol. But this was a nice, very easy, warm winter recipe. We will make again!

Now, here’s some pictures of the 72g because it’s my baby…

Platy came up to check out the camera…

Bolivian Ram…

Overall view of the middle of the 72g.

This is the 10g in progress….I am trying to get the water clear, it will be a shrimp tank when all is said in done. However, I am thinking of keeping it free to house some baby Bridgs after they hatch. Then it may hold a couple of the residents from the 20g until I redo that tank.

Progress on my 101:

Catching up on my penpal letters has been going pretty well. I am going to try to be completely caught up by this weekend. My stack currently has 7 letters of it, 1 of which I have already almost finished my reply.

My four purple bridgs shipped today Hopefully, they will arrive Wednesday…Thursday at the latest. They are only coming from PA, so I am guessing Wednesday. They will need to grow out a bit, but hopefully they will increase my odds of breeding…as well as add some lovely color and character to my tank! I love snails…I can’t wait for more adorable little faces smushed up against the glass. I will post pics when they arrive!!!

I have stuck with both the daily Wii Fit and Vitamin….and both of those will be ending on Saturday! Woohoo! However, I do have a strong feeling that I will be sticking with them on a permanent basis.

Since I will have some tasks completed soon, I took a look a what will be next on the list (based on the categories most in need of progress)…

#86) Go to the movies 3 times (if its while visiting home or in Maine it doesn’t count) (0/3)

#13) Attend 13 Toledo Metroparks Activities (0/13)

#74) Get $3,000 in the temporary savings account and start putting money in permanent savings

Oh, boo, I had more to type but Jimmy wants to go to sleep and is going to make me turn out the light. Maybe more tomorrow?

Progress on the 72g…..

opicana — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 20:00:00 +0000

Here’s all the photos I have of the 72g thus far….

I’ve been working on it all day. Lots more plants added. I’ll take some more pics after I have cleaned up some of the debris and have done a water change (it’s still a bit cloudy from the substrate).