Tex Gal

Alotta talk - no action. I wanna see a px of that wall and what you've done to it since Martha's been back. I know it's not how you left it with us. Martha wouldn't allow it...

JERP

Tex Gal,
You have more experience than me with UV's. I did my research, trusted the advice, and followed it. If the bulb stays clean then you shouldn't have a problem.

As far as lifespan of the bulb goes. A UV bulb does not burn out for several years, it just puts out less and less UV light until then. You really can't check it visually since Light in the UV spectrum is not visible and the bulb is in a sealed container. The bright blue color of the bulb is more of a byproduct of the UV bulb and really just tells you that it's on. A UV sterilizer is for preventative purposes and is not needed for the daily health of the aquarium. Your aquarium is healthy enough that the UV could even be off and you'd never notice from the results. Your bulb if pretty high powered. I would think a 25W bulb can degrade quite a bit before it stops being useful.

intothenew

Sheeesh, I just want to personally greet everybody that stops in. I am certainly going to need their help in episodes to come. I'm shakin' it here boss, we got a special holiday episode coming up.


O, and are you kin to Martha? You sure sound a lot like her.

Tex Gal

FYI, I emailed the company and they said you should replace the bulb every year. I guess that means I need a new one. When I change it, that will give a chance to check again for cleanliness.

Looking forward to the holiday episode!

niko

I don't understand why a UV sterilizer must be part of this otherwise wholesome family entertainment. Install the biggest one you can afford, don't turn it on, just have it there to scare the algae away. That's what I do and it works. Ah yes I also don't have light over that tank.

Ok, InToTheNew! Time to hear about the 6" H beam you so generously promised to us on page 1 of this amazing saga!


(The above image is Russian. If you can see it you have been infected by a Russian computer virus. To check try to say "doh-svee-dah-nya", if you can call 911)

--Nikolay

Analog Kid

Great thread. 6" I Beam...in wall tank install? support for removal of load bearing wall? This sounds interesting. On the UV, definitely get the wiper one. The Bulbs DO get slimy and this does effect the transmission of the UV light. I agree that when things are good in your tank, you will never know why you bought it. However, overdose ferts, feed too much etc. and you will be glad you have it (pea soup killer).

Tex Gal

Us women folk gotta stick together. Enjoyin' the show! Can hardly wait to see what you come up with next!

intothenew

Psssst, Psssssssst......... Dad, hey Dad.........she's comin'.



A little before I had hoped, it's good we constructed this amazing piece of urban camouflage. Just act natural Sweetpea, maybe we can clean this up before she's on to us.



For any normal human, I still think we could have pulled it off. But, I failed to take into account the amazing powers of perception that Martha commands. She makes a flanking maneuver around our meticulous attempt at diversion, and looks me in the eye just as I set Ol Monday to the floor. I just cannot bring myself to repeat her statement.

After a brief moment of "The Look", she walks off mumbling. Shortly, I hear the banging of plastic buckets and water running in the laundry tub. Sheeew, I think we have escaped a felony charge.

That leads us into today's two part episode:

Laws, Ordinances, and Codes

and

The Big picture


Part one to follow after a short break.

intothenew

To proceed with an endeavor such as this, we should certainly review the current judicial system. The bright side here is that there are no misdemeanor charges. The bad side, there are only felony charges and capital punishment the only sentence.

In a felony case, you stand accused immediately, before only one judge, and left to defend yourself. Sentencing is swift. I have lived the terror of a few of these tribunals. Acquittals are obtained on very rare occasions, pardons only after you feel the course fibers of the rope.

Misdemeanors, they just don't exist. At least they don't exist in any formal sense. But, there is a strange phenomenon that happens in some instances of civil disorder. The "Health and Human Services" department take a vacation. Examples include, but are not limited to:


Kitchen: caloric intake goes waaaaay down

Laundry: the skivvy drawer inventory drops dramatically

Family Planning: well, I'll just leave it at that.



Sweetpea, it looks like bologna tonight.

intothenew

In what would only be normal in a Marvel comic, Martha enters the laundry room and the creature "The White Tornado " emerges. This thing is unbelievable, it could take down Mr. Clean with 7 of it's 8 arms tied behind it's back. After a flurry of activity, the mound of rubble is reduced to this.



And just as mysteriously as it appeared, the White Tornado vanished into the laundry room and Martha emerges for a complete inventory of the situation.

One fish tank missing: good

Plethora of wires: bad

Dangling den dimmer switch: not of immediate concern, we won't be using that for a couple of days at least

Exposed plumbing from my powder room: bad

Exposed pantry chests: bad

One missing wall: bad, no, very bad



Ok, let's get the guys from design and mechanical in here for an assessment.


One planted tank given up for adoption: but we do get visitation

Plethora of wires: looks like 30amps to ourselves already, and we are only 20 feet from the main

Dangling den dimmer switch: well, sometimes you gotta take one for the team

Exposed plumbing from THE powder room: this is soooo coool, the boys in maintenance will buy us beer for life

Exposed pantry chests: we really didn't know they were back there

One missing wall: no problem, we add a structural beam and replace it with two walls.



Honey(with EXTRA emphasis), step back here and let me explain what they are trying to say.

Look, from YOUR side we will have a framed in wall with only the front of the tank showing. No wires, no plumbing, no smells. Picture it?



From the back side, we enclose it with a closet. Entry door for maintenance, it will be totally enclosed. Picture it?



She ponders the data for a moment, and then pops THE question. How much is this going to c.........



And in the brief period that it takes to get to the inevitable vowel that is to follow, I have the innate ability to slow time. I review specifications and pricing for an incredible list of mandatory mechanical devices, uv, ro, co2, cannisters, mh...........



............ost?


I answer honestly. "I don't know, but we have a lot of stuff laying around that we can use. I'll dig it up and we can look at it."


Her answer again reveals her amazing powers of perception, "Yea.......right."