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Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Baby Grand Piano Buying Guide | eBay

Baby Grand Piano Buying Guide | eBay: "Finding Baby Grand Pianos on eBay
There are plenty of new, used, and even antique baby grand pianos for sale on eBay. To view these items, start on eBay's main page. Click on the category called Musical Instruments & Gear.. Next, click on the subcategory called Piano & Organ.. Click on the link titled Piano.. From the sub-menu, choose the Grand & Baby Grand option. From there, use the toolbar on the left to customize the results. Those who plan to buy an instrument to repair and refinish may visit eBay's Parts & Accessories page, which is located under the Piano & Organ subcategory."



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A History of the Piano, 1157-2014

A History of the Piano, 1157-2014: "FROM THE BEGINNING OF TIME
At some time in the distant past, ancient man must have discovered that by stretching a thong between the horns of a dead animal, or on a branch that forked, a musical sound could be produced. The hunter would also have heard that the string of his bow would sound a definite pitch. Later it would have become clear that by stopping the string at different points and varying its length and thickness it could be made to sound other notes. Once two or more parallel strings were added to the bow, a rudimentary harp was created.

The first stringed instrument was the harp, on which the strings are plucked. The harmonic curve caused by the varied speaking lengths of strings dictated the shape of the frame of the piano and broadly follows the shape of a harp. "



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Buying New Pianos vs Buying Restored Pianos | Piano Restoration and Sales

Buying New Pianos vs Buying Restored Pianos | Piano Restoration and Sales: "We believe that early 20th century American pianos are similar.
These pianos are works of art, and were built by craftsmen of the highest integrity that hand picked aged hardwoods and hand crafted their instruments to unsurpassed quality.
Even new, hand-built pianos today do not compare to many of those made between 1900 and 1940. Unfortunately, many of those piano companies are no longer in business because it is very expensive to maintain a piano factory. Also, many did not survive through the war years where there was simply too much piano supply and not enough demand."



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75 Gallon Fish Tank Setup

75 Gallon Fish Tank Setup: "75 Gallon Fish Tank Setup
75 Gallon Fish Tank Aquarium, Wood Stand, Glass tops, Dual Bulb flourescent Light, Natural Colored Gravel (optional), Eggcrate, Fluval 304 Filter.

Tank and Stand are in Mint Condition. Was used for freshwater.

Pickup Only Milford, MA
$350 Cash
"



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Thursday, July 17, 2014

Starting a Fish Shop – How to Start a Fish Selling Business

Starting a Fish Shop – How to Start a Fish Selling Business: "Tyler Jabczynski on 12/17/2009 2:37:37 AM
i'm only 17 years old, and been planning to start a aquarium business for the last couple years. i've had a passion for freshwater fish, plants and the ecosystems they live in, for as long as i can remember. i've spent the last 2 years learning about fish breeding and fish disease, and i need help on where to go next. i'm hoping you guys can give me some tips on classes i could take that would help me... or maybe things i need to do or learn to get the required license(s) for selling aquarium products and animals. i also would like to know tips on choosing the ideal location that will attract many customers, the ideal amount of money i would need and things i could be doing right now that will help make all this possible. thanks for any help you can give!"



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P2P Lending and Crowdfunding – Explore the New Frontier for Small Business Lending | SBA.gov

P2P Lending and Crowdfunding – Explore the New Frontier for Small Business Lending | SBA.gov: "One example of a hugely successful non-profit crowdfunding venture is Kiva.org. Kiva works with microfinance institutions on five continents to provide loans to people without access to traditional banking systems, including U.S. businesses.

While Kiva requires that you repay the loan over time, most crowdfunding opportunities aren’t loans and, as such, don’t involve traditional forms of repayment and interest. Instead, borrowers offer a form of payback or reward to encourage people to make the investment. 

One example is the funding model established by Kickstarter. If your business is of the creative kind – art, technology, film, photography, music – Kickstarter is a way to source funds from others.  In exchange for investment (often as little as $25), borrowers “reward” investors with compelling returns. For example, a share in your business or even access to limited edition works, free products, invitations to parties and events, anything you believe is an attractive enticement.

Other crowdfunding sites include Wefunder, crowdfunder, and RockthePost."



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P2P Lending and Crowdfunding – Explore the New Frontier for Small Business Lending | SBA.gov

P2P Lending and Crowdfunding – Explore the New Frontier for Small Business Lending | SBA.gov: "P2P lending sites are also a useful way to structure loans from friends and family. Because the P2P service acts as an intermediary or broker, it can help remove any potential emotional complications from the transaction while giving the lender some reassurance that you will repay on time.

What is Crowdfunding?

Crowdfunding is a collective cooperation of people who network and pool their money and resources together, usually via the Inter­net, to support efforts initiated by other organizations. While P2P lend­ing typically focuses on one individual lending to another, crowdfunding – as its name implies – aims to reach a fund­ing goal by aggregating many small investors.

Since President Obama signed the JOBS Act in April 2012, it has become a lot easier for small businesses to raise money online via crowdfunding. Previously, small businesses were limited to seeking investment from SEC accredited investors only; now non-accredited investors (i.e. you and I) can invest in a startup to the tune of up to $1 million a yea"



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P2P Lending and Crowdfunding – Explore the New Frontier for Small Business Lending | SBA.gov

P2P Lending and Crowdfunding – Explore the New Frontier for Small Business Lending | SBA.gov: "What is Peer-to-Peer Lending?

Peer-to-peer-lending (P2P) essentially involves sharing your idea to other people in hopes they will invest in your business. Sites like Prosper or Lending Club connect people who want to lend money with those who need to borrow money – often in increments as low as $25. Quite literally, you determine how much you need to borrow, define the purpose of the loan, and post your listing online.

What’s in it for the investors? Well, returns can be in the range of 10 percent across their portfolio, creating a steady stream of income, not to mention the altruistic payoff of helping businesses succeed.

Obviously, you can’t just cross your fingers and hope for the best when you post your listing. Some factors that can sway your investment-worthiness include these:

Have a plan – It’s more than just describing what you’re going to do with the money; it’s important to share findings from market research, competitive analysis, financial forecasts, expected returns, and so on. Here are a few tips for creating a business plan (obviously you can’t share it all, so be sure to have a clear synopsis).
Tell your story – What’s your background? What are your dreams for your business? This will help humanize and frame your case.
Share your achievements and progress – What have you invested in your business already? At what stage is your business? What landmarks have you already achieved? Potential investors will want to know how invested you are in your business and that their investment in you will pay off."



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P2P Lending and Crowdfunding – Explore the New Frontier for Small Business Lending | SBA.gov

P2P Lending and Crowdfunding – Explore the New Frontier for Small Business Lending | SBA.gov: "What is Peer-to-Peer Lending?

Peer-to-peer-lending (P2P) essentially involves sharing your idea to other people in hopes they will invest in your business. Sites like Prosper or Lending Club connect people who want to lend money with those who need to borrow money – often in increments as low as $25. Quite literally, you determine how much you need to borrow, define the purpose of the loan, and post your listing online.

What’s in it for the investors? Well, returns can be in the range of 10 percent across their portfolio, creating a steady stream of income, not to mention the altruistic payoff of helping businesses succeed.

Obviously, you can’t just cross your fingers and hope for the best when you post your listing. Some factors that can sway your investment-worthiness include these:

Have a plan – It’s more than just describing what you’re going to do with the money; it’s important to share findings from market research, competitive analysis, financial forecasts, expected returns, and so on. Here are a few tips for creating a business plan (obviously you can’t share it all, so be sure to have a clear synopsis).
Tell your story – What’s your background? What are your dreams for your business? This will help humanize and frame your case.
Share your achievements and progress – What have you invested in your business already? At what stage is your business? What landmarks have you already achieved? Potential investors will want to know how invested you are in your business and that their investment in you will pay off."



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Page not found | SBA.gov

Page not found | SBA.gov: "How Much Money Do I Need?; A Guide to Estimate Your Startup Expenses
who can help you assess your planned business finances. What Do I Do with My Estimates ... One obstacle that entrepreneurs face is figuring out how much money they need to start and run ... you through the process. There are two major steps when trying to estimate how much money you will ...

Community Blog - JimD - September 7, 2010, 2:06 pm - 7 comments

P2P Lending and Crowdfunding – Explore the New Frontier for Small Business Lending
literally, you determine how much you need to borrow, define the purpose of the loan, and post your listing ... save a lot of money and it's much more convenient to suit your needs too.Packages this combine ... where are startups and growing businesses finding the funds they need? According to a Kauff­man Firm ...

Community Blog - Caron_Beesley - May 29, 2012, 12:40 pm - 70 comments

6 Step Guide- How to Get a Business Loan
practical guide on how to go about preparing to apply for a small business loan. 1.    What ... is the It's ture that money is the lifeline of any business,everyone who do business is to earn money. I ... Money is the lifeline of any business, so whether you’re starting a business or running ...

Community Blog - ngoriel - September 4, 2013, 5:57 pm - 35 comments"



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Starting a Pet Shop Business | SBA.gov

Starting a Pet Shop Business | SBA.gov: "lthough most retail pet shops are exempt from regulations established in the
Animal Welfare Act, APHIS inspects the wholesale dealers that supply pet
shops. APHIS also regulates
specific business activities that pertain to the sale of animals,
including pet wholesalers, pet breeders, laboratory animal dealers and
breeders, animal brokers, exotic animal dealers, and wild animal
dealers. According to APHIS, any
person participating in regulated business activities, must have a valid Class
A (breeder), Class B (broker), or Class C (exhibitor) license .

If you are unsure if your business activities fall under federal
regulations, you can visit the APHIS website to obtain a license
and registration kit. Based on
the information you supply, the APHIS will decide whether your business
should be licensed, registered, or both."



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Atlantis - Tropical Fish Hatchery

Atlantis - Tropical Fish Hatchery: "Atlantis offers a tremendous selection of wild and domestically raised Tropheus, Cyphotilapia frontosa, Altolamprologus calvus, Altolamprologus compressiceps, Neolamprologus, Cyprichromis, Julidochromis, Peacocks (Aulonocara), Pseudotropheus, Otopharnyx.Copadichromis, Melanochromis, Metriaclima, Dwarf Cichlids, Apistogramma, Plecos, Catfish, Pelvicachromis, Killifish, Aphyosemion, Nothobranchius and top quality Angelfish.

We receive weekly shipments from overseas and from our farm located in Florida to ensure a diverse inventory at all times.

Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is here to make your buying experience a pleasurable one."



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How to Start Your Own Pet Store | eHow

How to Start Your Own Pet Store | eHow: "Order your non-living supplies. It is wise to consult many different companies to ensure that you are getting a good price for the products you want to stock. Consulting an internet forum can be very helpful in this step. Pet stores owners are usually happy to recommend good companies."



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The Current State of Pet Shop Laws

The Current State of Pet Shop Laws: "Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia) require that pet stores provide the tangible, common-sense basics of food and water, and 21 states (Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland (birds only), Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Virginia) and the District of Columbia require proper sanitation for the animals housed in their facilities."



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Starting a Fish Shop – How to Start a Fish Selling Business

Starting a Fish Shop – How to Start a Fish Selling Business:



"Other item to sell
Aside from fishes, there are a lot of accessories that fish shop owners should make sure available in their shop.



Especially those items needed for a start-up aquarium.
Some of the important ones are:

aquariums and stand

filtration equipment

 Heating, lighting and hoods

Tank and pond decors 

Books on aquariums, pond and fishes

 Fish food
Water conditioner 


Test kit: ammonia, nitrate, pH 

Fish net"



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Starting a Fish Shop – How to Start a Fish Selling Business

Starting a Fish Shop – How to Start a Fish Selling Business: "What with huge number of fish species to choose from, any fish tank or pond owner can take delight just by choosing what fish to take home and care for. Taking care of fishes, aquariums and ponds is not as complicated as other pet hobbies. This makes fish shop a good business anywhere in the globe.
However, as with any other trade, it is important that the entrepreneur entering into this kind of industry do not only have knowledge on the area but a genuine interest is beneficial in successfully running this kind of business. If you are into fishes, be it fresh water or salt water, establishing a fish shop business may just be for you."



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The Current State of Pet Shop Laws

The Current State of Pet Shop Laws: "Cold-blooded animals — which are frequently housed and sold at pet stores — are not regulated by the AWA. While the AWA requires certain animal facilities to comply with licensing, inspection and animal care requirements, the following entities are not classified under the AWA as animal dealers: retail pet stores, hobby breeders, public animal shelters, private animal shelters, and boarding kennels.



As a result of these numerous exemptions and limitations in coverage, exotic and wild animals are the only animals housed in retail pet facilities that are afforded protection under the AWA; accordingly, the individual states are the primary source of legal protections for most animals housed in pet stores."



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Wednesday, July 16, 2014

MM to inches converter

MM to inches converter: "Conversion to common lengths

Inches 72.04724409
Feet 6.003937008
Yards 2.001312336
Miles 0.001137109282
Nautical Miles 0.0009881209503
Light-years 1.934306902e-16
Centimeters 183
Meters 1.83
Kilometers 0.00183"



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Building Your Own Fish Tanks

Building Your Own Fish Tanks: "The rule of thumb that I use for this is tanks that are less than 15" (381mm), 4mm is sufficient, less than 18" (457mm), 6mm above 18 (457mm)" and below 36" (914mm) 10mm. Any higher than 36", talk to the glass supplier, because you will need very heavy panels and it may be best to leave larger tanks to specialist tank builders! The length or front to back depth of the tank doesn’t affect this calculation, as the cross-stress bars come into effect. Don’t be tempted to cut the cost by reducing the thickness of the side panels, it’s not worth the risk!"



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Cloudy Aquarium Water Causes and Cures

Cloudy Aquarium Water Causes and Cures: "In these cases the cause is usually due to bacterial bloom. As the new aquarium goes through the initial break in cycle, it is not unusual for the water to become cloudy, or at least a little hazy. It will take several weeks to several months to establish bacterial colonies that are able to clear wastes from the water. Over time that cloudiness will resolve itself.

Decaying plants or excess food that remains uneaten can also cause the milky water seen in bacterial bloom. Regardless of the cause, don't panic over bacterial blooms. Keeping the aquarium very clean by removing debris such as decaying plants and uneaten food, vacuuming the gravel regularly, and performing partial water changes, will quickly resolve most cases of bacterial bloom. Cut back feeding to every second or third day, which will cut down on excess food decay."



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Glasscages.com - Acrylic Aquariums

Glasscages.com - Acrylic Aquariums: "Acrylic aquariums up to and including 135 gallons have rounded front corners.
In 2008 we averaged over 60 tanks per week. At least 3/4 of the larger acrylic tanks (larger than 65 gallons ) are customized. Although these don't have a customize button, you can E-mail or call for costs.
Customizations
COLORS The acrylic used will be clear however you can get a black background at additional cost.
Tank Sizes At our discretion tank sizes can be customized to your needs.
Overflows We have many types of overflows available that can be added to any aquarium. Please refer to the Overflows category on the left.
Holes Holes can be drilled in the aquariums.
Tank Tops Tops of tanks can be modified to suit special needs. - Rimless tanks are available for certain sizes: See Rimless Tanks category.
Hinged Tops Tops are available.
Black Frame Small acrylic aquariums come with a black frame. You can get one without a black frame for an additional cost.
Understanding Sizes
Gallonage is approximate Gallonage is used as a name only. For actual tank sizes please go by their listed dimensions.
Dimensions All tanks are listed in this format: length X width X height
Stands and Canopies
Stands and Canopies are sold separately. Please view their categories on the left side of the page.
(All customizations carry additional costs. - Prices listed below are for the base tank only.)
Frames
Tanks up to and including the 90 gallon have a black frame. The black frame is optional however you will have to get eurobracing instead which costs an additional $25.
Tanks that are bigger than 90 gallons are already eurobraced and do not include a black frame. See picture of 100 gallon acrylic.
Exceptions: 50 Wide and 70 Wide are eurobraced and do not have the option of a black frame."



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Acrylic vs. Glass – Aquariums / Fish Tanks – Which is better? Pros & Cons | Tank Terrors

Acrylic vs. Glass – Aquariums / Fish Tanks – Which is better? Pros & Cons | Tank Terrors: "Acrylic Aquarium Pros
Super clear (Unless you get a hazy used one but it can be buffed and polished)
Super light weight compared to glass
Easier to drill for bulkhead fittings
Can be refinished, re-polished and repaired if they break
Less likely to break from impact, Acrylic has a bit more give than glass. I’ve dropped a 50lb lighted hood down on a tank full of water and it didn’t break. The impact was tremendous.
Acrylic Aquarium Cons
Scratches super easy
Harder to clean because you have to be so careful not to scratch it
Expense – Acrylic tanks are typically more expensive per gallon
Some are not standard sizes, making it more difficult to find lids or lights to fit perfectly"

Below is an excellent Video on this topic!



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Acrylic vs. Glass – Aquariums / Fish Tanks – Which is better? Pros & Cons | Tank Terrors

Acrylic vs. Glass – Aquariums / Fish Tanks – Which is better? Pros & Cons | Tank Terrors: "Glass Aquarium Cons
Heavy – A glass tank is much much heavier than the same size Acrylic tank, making it harder to move
Glass can be drilled for bulkhead fittings but it’s much more nerve racking than drilling Acrylic
Not as efficient at holding in temperature compared to Acrylic
Scratches can not be fixed
Harder to fix if you chip or crack a panel, since replacement is usually needed unless it is a small chip
Not quite as clear as Acrylic
Acrylic Tanks are great, they are light and easy to move. As well as easy to fix and repair. However they do have some downfalls as well. I tend to prefer them myself, especially in larger tanks because of the weight issue alone. I also like the flexibility of Acrylic, it can be cut and modified much easier. However it also scratches much easier too, this is the one thing many people prefer glass. I’ll leave it up to you."



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Acrylic vs. Glass – Aquariums / Fish Tanks – Which is better? Pros & Cons | Tank Terrors

Acrylic vs. Glass – Aquariums / Fish Tanks – Which is better? Pros & Cons | Tank Terrors: "Glass Tanks are the most common type, you’ll see many more of these than Acrylic tanks. The simple reason? Cost. Glass tanks cost much less to build, therefore they are cheaper and more common. It doesn’t make them inferior, they are just inexpensive, especially in smaller sizes. The Glass tank is pretty much the industry standard but it does have some pitfalls as well.
Glass Aquarium Pros
Cheaper than Acrylic Tanks most of the time
Much harder to scratch but it still can happen
Tanks are usually industry standard sizes, making lids and such easy to purchase
Easier to clean because there is less need to worry about scratching"



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Glass vs. Acrylic - The First Tank Guide - The Differences Between and the Debate About Glass Aquariums and Acrylic Aquariums

Glass vs. Acrylic - The First Tank Guide - The Differences Between and the Debate About Glass Aquariums and Acrylic Aquariums: "Acrylic is highly scratchable. Often, despite the best efforts of manufacturers and shippers, the packing materials used to pack acrylic tanks will scratch the tank!. The tank can be scratched by a person brushing it with their clothing, jewelry, purse, back pack, or bag when casually walking past it in the store, and the tank can very easily be scratched when people are moving, loading, or unloading it. The inhabitants of an acrylic aquarium can even scratch the tank themselves, if they have any sharp claws, teeth, or shells... Because acrylic is so easily scratched, it is very important that you only use acrylic safe algae scrubbers when cleaning your acrylic tank, and that you make sure you do not accidentally pick up any pieces of aquarium gravel in the scrub pad when you are using it.
Of course, acrylic is also easier to repair when it is scratched. Acrylic polishing kits are available in many places, and these can be used to remove scratches on the outside of the tank. "



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Glass vs. Acrylic - The First Tank Guide - The Differences Between and the Debate About Glass Aquariums and Acrylic Aquariums

Glass vs. Acrylic - The First Tank Guide - The Differences Between and the Debate About Glass Aquariums and Acrylic Aquariums: "Glass is very difficult to scratch. Scratching glass usually requires a relatively hard material and a considerably amount of pressure. You can scratch glass if you take a piece of uncoated aquarium gravel or a rock and rub it against the glass, or if you take a piece of metal and deliberately scratch the glass. However this is unlikely."



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DIY PLywood tank costs. [Archive] - MonsterFishKeepers.com

DIY PLywood tank costs. [Archive] - MonsterFishKeepers.com: "1/4" plexiglass is not going to come anywhere near holding that much water. That plexiglass might be great to build a sump out of but that is about it. For a tank that size, you are looking at 1/2" plexiglass or thicker depending on the bracing. Now, something I did many many years ago was build a 379G tank out of wood and I lined the inside with 1/4" plexiglass and had a 1/2" plexiglass viewing window. I used silicone on the seams and it worked. I understand now that silicone does not bond well with plexiglass, good thing I did not know that back then!

ok thank you very much
greengiant
03-11-2010, 6:00 PM
saving money by doing it DIY starts at around 300 Gallons. under that if you calculate your time its hard to justify. also there is more pride in a DIY tank than a store bought one. if you are concientious with your spending and watch for deals you can also save money. case in point: I picked up 8 sheets of 1" 9ply birch Plywood G2S for $40 a sheet it was normally double that price. also shop around for your glass or acrylic before you build. sometimes you can pick up a miscut piece for cheep. I got a 6'X3' piece of 12mm for $75 I will have to cut it down a bit for my project but at that price I couldn't complain. I got 10 tubes of silicone for $15 also a significnt savings. now I just need my Zavlar and I will be building it."



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Why Are Glass Aquariums So Expensive?

Why Are Glass Aquariums So Expensive?: "Acrylic resembles glass, but it is stronger, lighter, and can be bent during manufacturing so it comes in different shapes and not just the standard five sheet rectangle like most aquariums. Although acrylic fish tanks can come in all sizes, the extremely big tanks, like 200 gallons, would more than likely be acrylic because they can withstand such weight more than tempered glass.

And so this is why aquariums can be and usually are pricey. When comparing two aquariums and wondering why one is more expensive than the other, it is not just the size that plays a factor. Large aquariums are thicker and made of more expensive material than smaller tanks in order to withstand the pressure."



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Why Are Glass Aquariums So Expensive?

Why Are Glass Aquariums So Expensive?: "Tempered (toughened) is glass that was melted and cooled quickly, resulting in stronger glass that can hold more gallons. The downside to this glass is if it ever cracks, it shatters, so no drilling. This glass is vulnerable at the edges, but otherwise it holds up well for larger tanks.

Plate glass (flat glass, sheet glass) cannot hold as much water, but it certainly suffices for the smaller aquariums. This material can be drilled and cracked without shattering.

Tempered glass is more expensive than plate glass, and so that is why bigger aquariums jump in price; they're made of the strong stuff, tempered.

Some small aquariums are not even made of glass, like a typical 5 gallon fish tank can be made of cheap plastic, resulting in an even cheaper alternative. And then there is a plastic called Acrylic that is stronger than tempered glass and way more expensive too."



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very cost efficient to build your own tank? - Aquariums Forum - GardenWeb

very cost efficient to build your own tank? - Aquariums Forum - GardenWeb: "Plywood tanks can be a great way to get a larger tank (for stingrays, or sections of a river biotope). Mine was 8' side to side, with a 4' front to back - 32 square feet of surface area. This gave a great section of amazon backwater biotope for me (bare bottom, with driftwood and plastic plants in the tank, as it was too dificult to run with anything more). I did have some live floating plants (duckweed and watersprite), and some river jacks for the fish to use as territory boundries. I had 10 pair of angelfish that were breeding in this just about constantly for over 5 years, as well as a number of larger tetras (like bleeding hearts and diamond tetras) that schooled like in a river. The dwarf chiclids also set up natural territories, and everyone raised their fry in the tank as if it were a natural pond. I was amazed that every now and then one or two fry would survive to a young adult stage - especially the tetras. It was a great trank, but it did make the basement VERY humid if I left the cover off for any length of time."



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Saturday, July 12, 2014

Simple DIY Aquarium Filter

Simple DIY Aquarium Filter: "DIY Filter

By Mark Coleman -



This fish tank filter works really well (I have a similar flower pot design) and is very cheap to construct. The diagrams are self-explanatory. When cleaning is due, the filter can be dismantled and reassembled.

Although the materials are inexpensive the principle is the same as many commercial box filters.

You could also adapt the filter design to use other materials that may be more convenient for you."






To explain how this setup gets constructed simply go to the Url Below:



http://www.sydneycichlid.com/simple-filter.htm







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Thursday, July 10, 2014

2011 Spring Law Trends & News - Essentials of a Forensic Child Custody Evaluation

2011 Spring Law Trends & News - Essentials of a Forensic Child Custody Evaluation: "Who Should Be Included?

A thorough custody evaluation should include not only parents but also any other adults directly responsible for the daily care of children, such as stepparents, grandparents, and either parent’s significant other. Any other party living in the custodial or visiting home also should be seen, such as step- or half-siblings. It is generally a good practice for daycare providers as well as medical professionals, psychotherapists, and school personnel to be included. However, it is not always in the best interests of the children to include these collaterals for various reasons.

A good evaluation and a seasoned evaluator may elect not to include specific collaterals at certain times. If consulting with any of these individuals is not ultimately in the best interests of the children and/or would cause a negative result in the day-to-day life of the children, then a competent evaluation need not include them.

For example, (1) the daycare provider who is concerned that what is said may interfere with his or her ability to continue working with the children due to the inadvertent alienation of a parent or an inability to communicate with either parent going forward; (2) the psychotherapist who risks upsetting the course of treatment by taking a position that would either risk confidentiality with his patient or risk the unfavored parent’s discontinuing therapy; or (3) school personnel who are concerned that close scrutiny will result in a modification of the curriculum or approach to the student, resulting from the fear of repercussions from either parent. Assuming the use of collateral informants will not interfere with the best interests of the children, a good evaluation will include them."



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ARTICLE: Multifaceted Strategies to STOP the School-to-Prison Pipeline

ARTICLE: Multifaceted Strategies to STOP the School-to-Prison Pipeline: "Author
By Ronald K. Lospennato
Excerpt
The struggle for access to meaningful educational opportunities has been central to the broader struggle for civil rights. In 1954 the U.S. Supreme Court, in a landmark decision, held that the segregation of public schools on the basis of race "is a denial of the equal protection of the laws"; the Court said that "education is perhaps the most important function of state and local governments." 1 The Court concluded that "it is doubtful that any child may reasonably be expected to succeed in life if he is denied the opportunity of an education." 2

The struggle for educational opportunities has extended beyond race. In 1975, faced with evidence showing that the educational needs of millions of children with disabilities were not being met, Congress enacted the Education for All Handicapped Children Act."



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JSTOR

JSTOR: "JSTOR is part of ITHAKA, a not-for-profit organization helping the academic community use digital technologies to preserve the scholarly record and to advance research and teaching in sustainable ways.
©2000-2014 ITHAKA. All Rights Reserved. JSTOR®, the JSTOR logo, the JPASS logo and ITHAKA® are registered trademarks of ITHAKA."



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Fathers' Rights and Child Custody Law

Fathers' Rights and Child Custody Law: "Some of the advocacy firms promise to "fight hard" or even "to teach her (the mother) a lesson", and use that promise as a pretext to bring lots of motions which serve to drive up the cost of litigation, or even to force an unnecessary custody trial. At the same time, that type of tactic can exhaust a judge, given that judges almost always prefer that the parties resolve their custody disputes between themselves."



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Reform public defense - Times Union

Reform public defense - Times Union: "The settlement itself expires in less than three years. If the state has not picked up public defense funding by then, the county need only pass a resolution encouraging the state to increase financial support for mandated representation. Significantly, 14 counties not involved in the suit have already passed resolutions calling for the lawsuit's statewide settlement and supporting the creation of a statewide defender system.

Under the settlement, the Public Defender Office and a newly-constituted Conflict Defender Office must promulgate performance standards to ensure the delivery of quality representation. But without adequate state funding, these offices will be incapable of meeting new, meaningful standards."



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Reform public defense - Times Union

Reform public defense - Times Union: "Ontario County has agreed to limit public defense caseloads. This is vital. Lawyers with too many cases can't spend enough time on any. But the outdated numerical standards the settlement looks to are too high. Hiring more attorneys or paying private lawyers to take any overflow requires more funding, not provided by the settlement.

The agreement sets the current budget for public defense as the minimum the county must spend for the duration of the agreement. While better than funding cuts, this is not a solution."



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Reform public defense - Times Union

Reform public defense - Times Union: "Fifty-one years ago, the United States Supreme Court imposed on New York the responsibility to provide lawyers for people charged with crimes and unable to afford counsel. New York's 1965 delegation of its responsibility to counties failed long ago; counties simply cannot finance and run adequate public defense systems. Declarations in the Ontario County settlement reflect this, pointing to the need for statewide reform."



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Courthouse News Service

Courthouse News Service: "SEATTLE (CN) - Public interest attorneys on Wednesday filed a federal class action against the United States, claiming it is illegally denying counsel to thousands of undocumented children whom the government already has started deporting.
     Attorneys for lead counsel the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project claim Attorney General Eric Holder et al. are violating the Immigration and Nationality Act and the due process clause of the Fifth Amendment.
     The lawsuit comes as thousands of undocumented children, many of them unaccompanied, are being flown and bused hither and yon across the country after being arrested, usually, in Texas."



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Civil-Rights Groups File Class-Action Suit Against the U.S. Government - WSJ

Civil-Rights Groups File Class-Action Suit Against the U.S. Government - WSJ: ""The government pays for a trained prosecutor to advocate for the deportation of every child. It is patently unfair to force children to defend themselves alone," said Ahilan Arulanantham, senior staff attorney with the ACLU's Immigrants' Rights Project.

The suit, J.E.F.M. v. Holder, names as its lead plaintiff a 10-year-old from El Salvador whose father was killed by gang members. He and his family have subsequently been threatened, creating a plausible asylum claim, Mr. Arulanantham said.

"The question is: should a 10-year-old have to marshal evidence and mount a case?" "



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Civil-Rights Groups File Class-Action Suit Against the U.S. Government - WSJ

Civil-Rights Groups File Class-Action Suit Against the U.S. Government - WSJ: "WASHINGTON—Civil-rights groups on Wednesday filed a class-action lawsuit that faults the U.S. government for not providing legal representation to children facing deportation hearings, the latest wrinkle for the Obama administration as it scrambles resources to meet a surge of unaccompanied minors arriving at the nation's southwest border.

The suit seeks to require agencies to provide children with legal representation at deportation hearings. These children aren't guaranteed lawyers at their hearings, though some obtain them through nonprofit groups or other means.

The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Seattle by the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Immigration Council and other groups on behalf of children facing deportation hearings."



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Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Music Store Goes Back To Its Roots

Music Store Goes Back To Its Roots: "n September 2011, Cafeteria owner Jim Svetz contacted Beatrice about opening inside the coffee shop. Beatrice started moving in immediately and shut down his store in Saugerties. Placing most of his products in storage, Beatrice began to slowly move into the small corner in the front of the café."



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Monday, July 7, 2014

Ginseng Growing - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation

Ginseng Growing - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation: "It is not surprising, therefore, that the beneficial effects of ginseng are not appreciated in the western hemisphere. The prevailing view in the west is that each disease arises from a specific cause and is a discreet entity which can be cured by drugs which are applied for the specific disease. Curing the disease will cure the patient since the patient is merely the carrier of the disease. Much of "modern medicine" is directed at curing disease and not maintaining general health. Ginseng has never been demonstrated to unequivocally cure any specific disease. It is consumed to maintain good health which, in turn, prevents disease from occurring."



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Ginseng Growing - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation

Ginseng Growing - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation: "It is not surprising, therefore, that the beneficial effects of ginseng are not appreciated in the western hemisphere. The prevailing view in the west is that each disease arises from a specific cause and is a discreet entity which can be cured by drugs which are applied for the specific disease. Curing the disease will cure the patient since the patient is merely the carrier of the disease. Much of "modern medicine" is directed at curing disease and not maintaining general health. Ginseng has never been demonstrated to unequivocally cure any specific disease. It is consumed to maintain good health which, in turn, prevents disease from occurring."



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Saturday, July 5, 2014

For Sale: Aquarium Store in Seminole County - Listing 172732

For Sale: Aquarium Store in Seminole County - Listing 172732: "Aquarium Store
Status: Active

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Business Summary
Nice Aquarium Store selling Freshwater, Saltwater, Corals, inverts, dry goods and supplies. Approx 1800 sq ft. Expenses are low < $4,000 a month. Selling at below value for quick sale. Owner wants to retire now. Owner will stay on to train for transition period. Been in business for 10 years so lots of intangible assets.

Great opportunity with minimum investment. Located in upscale area with lots of room for growth for right owners. Current owners have maintained status quo as their interest is in retirement.

Serious candidates only that are ready to take over and have the funding to do so.

Sale price is calculated on owner removing or selling inventory separetly at wholesale cost."



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For Sale: Unique Pet Store in North Carolina - Listing 342620

For Sale: Unique Pet Store in North Carolina - Listing 342620: "Just look at the interest the Cable TV Discovery Channel has created with 60 million viewers for the hit series Tanked. This business has access to similar products, and could provide similar services. The business has been in operation in Central North Carolina since 1987 and has a loyal customer base. The current owner is not offering installations, which would be an immediate boost to the total revenues and a drawing card for new clients. Maintenance would create a constant flow of revenues as well. This business is a bargain since the initial outlay for the business is only slightly more than the inventory and you have revenue coming in daily. If you are a tropical fish enthusiast, and would like to turn a hobby into a money making, fun place to go every day, this is for you. "



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Friday, July 4, 2014

Nice Tropical Aquarium Marine Fish Tank Hang on Dual Filter | eBay

Nice Tropical Aquarium Marine Fish Tank Hang on Dual Filter | eBay:



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Hobbyist's Corner

Hobbyist's Corner: "The variation in the Anabantoid family is extreme. There are giants like the Osphronemus Gourami, growing to at least two feet in length, and then there's the very small Sparkling or Pygmy Gourami. Kissing Gouramis are vegetarian, compared to the predatory Ctenopoma from Africa. Most fish referred to as Gouramis and Bettas are bubblenest builders, but there are egg scatterers like the drab colored Anabas Testudineus, or Climbing Perch."



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Hobbyist's Corner

Hobbyist's Corner: "The Severum is another cichlid that will grow large but keep a cool temper. They make impressive show fish. They are slow and graceful movers with bright greens and yellows, and mated pairs of this fish will actually bond for life. 
   There are many more easygoing cichlids available, including (but not limited to) uarus, chocolates, keyholes, curviceps, kribensis, the dwarves (apistogramma, nannacara, crenicara, micro-geophagus), angelfish (yes, they’re cichlids too), and the almighty discus. "



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Hobbyist's Corner

Hobbyist's Corner: "You will find the wild-caught specimens like Blues and Putamayos as well as the new tank-raised varieties like the Cobalt Blues and Red Emperors to be colorful and showy. Several different sizes in each variety are usually available. 
   When water conditions are strictly monitored and properly maintained, it assures the quality and color of the specimens. If you like the "exotic" look of both color and body patterns displayed in a specialty tank you'll quickly become a discus enthusiast!"



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Hobbyist's Corner

Hobbyist's Corner: "Discus love plants. They provide much needed security and reduce stress, besides softening the water. There is always a good selection of plants for you to choose from. Amazon Swords, Java Fern and varieties of Cryptocoryne are a few that do well in the water conditions that discus like. Discus look their best when displayed in a well planted tank."



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Hobbyist's Corner

Hobbyist's Corner: "They prefer soft acidic water, but discus are somewhat tolerant of water quality, particularly if the heat is there. 
   At first, feeding might be a little tricky. Most specimens will really go for live blackworms and frozen bloodworms. Why not try out the new frozen foods that are made just for them? Pro Salt's Prodiscus and San Francisco Bay Brand's Discus Delight are excellent choices and are available in different sizes. "



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Hobbyist's Corner

Hobbyist's Corner: "Enthusiasts actively encourage other hobbyists to purchase a pair as discus are not difficult to maintain. 
   Discus can be very easy to keep and very long lived with just a little extra care. The key to success is actually very simple. First, start with the best quality of fish you can find, and then provide them with plenty of heat - 84 to 86 degrees or even warmer is not too hot."



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BizFinFAQs

BizFinFAQs: "Central Garden is undoubtedly the largest... at their various locations in the U.S.... Royal Pet Supplies in New York, maybe number two... Lee Mar in S. Cal. possibly third... they don't have "phony wholesaling", nor etailing>
I found two companies online that both claimed to be "one of the biggest", yet neither one seemed to be interested in answering their phones. As a future potential retailer/customer of theirs...this makes a very negative statement about what I can expect of them in the future.
OR, do most retail stores purchase direct from the manufacturers/vendors?

If so, how does one get in touch with them....I couldn't find a trade directory."



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FiveCritElementsBiz

FiveCritElementsBiz: "Costs before opening run about $60.00 per foot for a full-line or pet-specialty retail shop; or approximately $90,000.00 for a fifteen hundred square foot store. When prospective retailers contact us regarding aiding in design, construction and initial help in running a new operation, we suggest they also have readily available another 20-50K for operating expenses. This is done in recognition that their business may run in the red for the first year (or two).

These are figures are realistic guesstimates!

 Believe me, it is very easy to spend more."



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Jack Dempseys spawning with pictures

Jack Dempseys spawning with pictures: "Final Report:  Well, it turned out there were closer to 300 or so.  We started them out with three feedings of microworms per day.  The parents had evidently successfully hidden them from my efforts at cleaning their tank.  This explains why they killed their female convict dither fish.  The second morning (when we turned on the lights) we saw no fry.  They were hiding somewhere because they were back in force within an hour."



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How to Spawn Red Bay Snooks, Petenia splendida, with pictures

How to Spawn Red Bay Snooks, Petenia splendida, with pictures: "Good Eaters.  Some cichlids can be picky eaters -- not red bay snooks.  They eat whatever we give them, basically whatever we're feeding the other fishes in the area.  They eagerly eat flakes, pellets, freeze-dried and frozen foods, and live foods -- especially any kind of worms.  At this point we added one-inch pieces of nightcrawlers ."



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'eight Synodontis eupterus  ??




How to Spawn Red Bay Snooks, Petenia splendida, with pictures

How to Spawn Red Bay Snooks, Petenia splendida, with pictures: "Male Breeding Tube.  A couple days later, the male dropped his breeding tube.  It became rather obvious that this pair wanted to spawn.  But it was also obvious that the eight Synodontis eupterus might not prevent the egg-laying, but would certainly devour the final product -- especially once the lights went out."



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How to Spawn Red Bay Snooks, Petenia splendida, with pictures

How to Spawn Red Bay Snooks, Petenia splendida, with pictures: "The pair was recently moved to a 55 with eight adult Synodontis eupterus housed at 78 degrees.  They adjusted immediately to the slightly higher temperature.  They ate more and "took over" the left end of the tank.  We put "took over" in quotes because the catfish totally ignored their territorial claims to the left end.  The catfish also totally ignored the snooks and vice versa."



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Thursday, July 3, 2014

The Native Betta Habitat – Separating Fact from Fiction | Betta Fish Care

The Native Betta Habitat – Separating Fact from Fiction | Betta Fish Care: "hough the same fish in the same volume in a planted tank with few other fish will be actively out and swimming confidently. Given space to exercise and cover to explore, they will feel secure enough to display their true colours – in terms of both their appearance and lively persona.
Given this understanding of the bettas natural habitat, we can now see how these myths arose and are now perpetuated by the aquarium industry."



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Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Bodies of three kidnapped Israeli teens found in West Bank | JPost | Israel News

Bodies of three kidnapped Israeli teens found in West Bank | JPost | Israel News: "After more than two weeks of agonizing, intensive searches in the West Bank, the military operation launched to locate teenagers Gil-Ad Shaer, Naftali Fraenkel, and Eyal Yifrah reached a tragic end Monday afternoon when security forces discovered their bodies buried in a field northwest of Hebron, no more than a 10-15-minute drive from where they were abducted."



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