Fish Tails

 As the stay at home parent its also my job to take care of the four legged animals and the fishy ones. We currently have a full blooded Chihuahua, a mixed Chihuahua \ Miniature Pinscher, a full blooded Miniature Pinscher, and a Shiba Inu Mixed with something else. Those are the four legged hooligans we have running around. In the fish tank we have two fantail goldfish and a black moor goldfish, as well as 14 ghost shrimp and three snails.

 Recently one of our goldfish started showing signs of distress black coming in on his fins and a couple little patches on his side. Since he had just got over a case of Ich and Swim Bladder Disease. I know poor guy has had it rough lately. I had just assumed it was coloring showing he had gotten over a sickness like they do sometimes. last week I was watching Doctor Who (Which is what rebel decided to name her fish.) Though I do really enjoy the show as well. 

 I noticed his tail fin was showing signs of coming apart, for a week there was no change. I had been keeping a close eye on him and it wasn't getting worse it was staying the same. just two little bits missing out of his tail fin. I decided to put him in a hospital tank and start a treatment with him, this way I'm not medicating the fish who are still healthy and showing no sign of illness. 

There was a problem with this idea though... I didn't have another filter I could use for the hospital tank. After doing some research and some thinking I came up with a idea for a impromptu bacteria filter. I gathered material I had laying around the house. 

-An empty fish food container.

-Some extra fish tank rock.

-A bath Loofah

  And naturally any chance I get to use a power tool I will take it so I also broke out my 18 volt drill, and a 1\8" drill bit.

Bottom of the food container

Bottom again to allow
for airflow

Side with holes drilled

I started by drilling a hole in the middle of the bottom, since the drill bit I was using was too small for the air hose to go through I had to made it a little bigger with a knife. Then I made the holes in the side this way the water can come into the filter at the bottom. I added the holes at the top for letting water and air escape. the filter. As a after thought I pulled the filter back out and added some holes in the screw on cap to increase water flow into the filter.

Added rock into the top

And the loofah sits in the bottom

After all the drilling and cleaning off the spurs of plastic (sandpaper works great) and don't forget to rinse it. I added the rocks into the top for weight and put the loofah in the bottom around the air stone. Which is where the bacteria will be living in theory...

The whole concept

After watching the filter while writing this blog I discovered putting a little rock in the bottom as well helps to stabilize the filter, the filter had kept flipping on it's side but now it seems to be standing upright like I intended it to.  I hope you enjoyed this small blog about my homemade filter and you found it useful in some way. Please feel free to share with your friends. If you have any thought's or comments please let us know. As always thanks for reading, I hope you have a wonderful day.

The P***ification of the interwebs.

 Here's the deal, more people than I can count are using social media to connect with others. Whether it is to connect with family, friends, even long lost relatives... Be it in a group of like minded people, a group of people who are in the same situation as you or I, and countless other groups on the myriad of social networking sites that are out there.

 There is a problem with this though, and that is that even joining groups with like minded people there are still going to be people who don't think they way you do. There could be things posted that you don't agree with or condone. Which is completely fine, we are all human... I think, if not would you please contact me. I would love to be the one to initiate first contact with an alien species.

 Being human is to error, no one is perfect and what one person may see as appropriate another may not. People tend to forget things like this though and think that everyone should cater to their thoughts and needs instead of trying to better the whole. One such incident happened not too long ago, a post was made and one person did not agree with it. He had voiced his opinion on it, not only did the poster apologize to him but many of the others in the same group had also apologized.

 But instead of leaving it as it was and blocking the thread this person completely left the group and went on to write a blog demoralizing the group as a whole, as well as the network affiliated with the group. Which in my opinion was completely wrong to do seeing as how it was not the entire group or the affiliated party who was responsible for the post.

 This type of behavior in my opinion is what contributes as George Carlin puts it, to the complete pussification of america... Not just america though but also the world, I completely agree with free speech and the right to voice ones opinion, which would have been fine. But to sit there and whine about a post and and then turn around after being apologized to and write a blog bashing the entire group and its affiliates...

 There was absolutely no need in it, yet this person did it anyway. There could have been many reasons for it.

 1. He could have genuinely been insulted and did not want to see that kind of content. There is a block button for that and no one has super glued your eye's to the computer. 

2. To make themselves look better in the eyes of another... 

3. To get more clicks on their blog... Which would be the worst reason in my opinion 

 I am sure there could be other reasons for their actions, whatever the reason the action they took could have been a much better one, and not include bashing of innocent people or the inclusion of them simply because they are in the same group or affiliated with them in any way. 

 As I said earlier I completely agree with being able to speak your mind on whatever it is you want. But there is also a line there, and when it is crossed you are not speaking your mind. You are bashing people and destroying the work of others who have busted their butts trying to make a good name for themselves and others. Simply because of not agreeing with something someone said or posted.

 In the end it boils down to this there are countless people using the same social media sites as you and I there will almost always be a time when we see something we don't agree with. But do not blame everyone for the actions of one person. Not only is that wrong but is also hurtful to those who had no interest in the post simply by affiliation.

 As always thank you for reading, I hope you share this with your friends. Even more importantly I hope you have a wonderful day!

One fish two fish red fish SHARK!!!

Batman Up!

Originally we had planned on going to the Zoo on Sunday... However it was a little colder than it was supposed to be, so we decided to go with our contingency plan The Dallas World Aquarium.

  We got all suited up, packed all of our luggage, and headed to IHOP for breakfast, they were packed so we went back to Denny's. Had some breakfast and headed to the aquarium.  

I loved the entrance, except for the fact it felt like we were walking on a snake with as mush twisting and turning as we did, and it went on for what seemed like a mile. I kinda felt like Dory in Finding Nemo. "Just keep swimming." I was excited to get there but I had to keep repeating to myself just keep walking. 

They had big cages setup for animals, we seen some birds in a couple of them. It would have been nice to be able to actually look at the habitats they had setup but the walkway was really skinny and people were about pushing each other to go up the ramp. It felt like walking into a forest, then out of nowhere the ticket counter appeared. Almost 80 dollars to get into the place

It was pretty cool walking in and around the corner is this waterfall, The atmosphere was great, a wide open area with birds flying around and monkeys hanging out in the tree's.

 I counted at least 6 monkey's jumping around in the tree, these guys here and another smaller monkey I wasn't able to get any pictures of.

This area was pretty cool, but like the entrance the only path through it was a tight squeeze. It was also over crowded with people it was hard trying to get up to the railing. I really didn't feel comfortable letting Ryder walk around even holding one of our hands. There were just so many people it was crazy.

 these guys were hanging out by the bottom of the waterfall, and granted they are not fish... they do spend a lot of time in the water.

It would be interesting to see how well the ducks and monkeys got along over a extended period of time. I would be willing to bet the monkeys give the ducks hell.

Though the ducks would probably have the protection of the birds.

For instance fluffy here looks like he could probably take a chunk out of someone. 

                          

  Are you kidding me look at the size of these beasts, we found them as we made our way around a lower level near the bottom of the waterfall. I was thinking it must be nice to be a gator. Nothing is going to mess with you except humans. you can chill out where you want, and if something see's you coming it Shits itself and gets out of the way real quick... Even a lot of humans.

 "Happy" was downstairs near the gators, just look at the grin on him. You know he's been eating the good greens. It put a smile on all our faces to find such a happy turtle.

 We had been in the aquarium for over a hour and still hadn't seen any fish... They did however have some sloths up near the food stand cafeteria area.

I caught this guy out of the corner of my eye so I snapped a picture, 

I'm not sure what he was supposed to be doing. I do know however he is most certainly not a fish.

interestingly enough they had flamingos as well. Anna wouldn't let me take any home for yard decoration, 

so I didn't even bother to ask. But if you ask me they would look a lot better than the plastic kind. It just came to me, what is the deal with the plastic flamingos anyway what kind of person would it take to put something like that in their yard? I would be willing to bet there are some people out there with whole flocks of flamingos in their yard.

check it out the second pair of hooters I was able to take a picture of on our trip. Aren't they beauties.

We came around a bend to see these uh animals standing in the middle of the walkway right before the entrance to see the fish. Ryder wouldn't take his eyes off them for fear of having his soul eaten. Rebel was much braver to turn her back upon them. But you can tell she isn't happy about it.

Yay Fish! Unfortunately the tank areas were even more crowded than the rest.We tried for a photo with mommy and the kids, but Ryder had seen a fish, and Rebel was also hypnotized by the tank. 

Seahorses how cool is that, you can also participate in classes at the Aquarium 

to learn underwater equestrian skills and techniques.

 Me and Anna had a spirited debate about this fish. She said it wasn't an Angel Fish. I say it is, It's obvious of the left angel where it's mouth is. If it had been swimming the other direction it would have been a right angel fish.

So far the whole aquarium aspect of this building isn't looking too hot. they had a few fish and a few different tanks. But the tanks were all small and didn't have a lot in them.

The big tanks they had were filled with a good bit of river fish. We did catch a glimpse of a manatee but it was only after someone had already shouted manatee and everyone started rushing to the glass.  They had two tunnels where you could walk underneath the fish. The first one wasn't all that great. There were a couple big fish in it but nothing spectacular. However the second and obvious crown of the whole aquarium trip was the sharks!

This tunnel made the whole trip in my opinion. It was awesome seeing the sharks and stingrays gliding around the tank. There were some sawtooth sharks as well. Though it was crowded if you stayed in one area it wasn't too bad and the fish were swimming all around us. There was also a outdoor penguin exhibit. we didn't check that out though due to the cold and the crowds.




After the shark tank we came out and seen this leopard looking cat.It wasn't a leopard and I can't remember what it was, but it wasn't a catfish either.

We had a great time at the aquarium even though we were fighting through crowds to see the little bit we got to see. The aquarium may be worth the 80 dollar admission if it weren't as crowded but I still wouldn't call it an aquarium there were more birds and other animals than fish. And not a place you want to go when it is crowded. the walkways were way too small, it just felt like there were too many people in there.  

  We walked out with smiles on our faces and at the end of the day that's all that matters I can see us going back, but I will most certainly trying to find a coupon or something to get in with, and it will most certainly not be on a weekend.  

  This wraps up the three part trilogy of  Family Trip 2014. If you would like to read more check out: 

     Were goin' to the big D and I mean Dallas.

       Which is about our trip to dallas and back

      Science is the poetry of reality

        About our trip to the Perot museum.

 Thanks for reading, I really hope you enjoyed it. Please feel free to share it with your friends or comment below. Have a wonderful day.