Tank birthday and I'm a Geezer

[Paul B]

It seems all of my fish are happy and healthy. Since I blocked some open spaces I have not lost anything from jumping. The summer has been great so I am starting to slow down. It's almost time to put the boat away and stop collecting amphipods and mud. I noticed my acropora is receding and my LPS such as bubble corals, gorgonia, frogspawn, hammers etc are growing like crazy. I don't worry about such things because that is due to coral wars. Some corals, like some people just don't get along and different times of the year, they fight. We don't notice it and blame things like political parties, Taylor Swift and phases of the moon but it happens all the time in the sea and if your tank is healthy, it should happen in your tank. The healthier your corals are, the more they want to fight. We have the same "problems" with algae. No, it is not your nutrients, old light bulbs or Saturday Night Live re runs, but I realize I am in the vast minority so go ahead and believe it is your nutrients. I wrote a book that is supposed to be out this week, I can't wait because I want to read it to see if I still agree with myself. I realize many people- OK everybody dis agrees with me but that is OK. I don't mind. I try to inject some common sense into my writings weather people believe me or not. My Grand Kids listen to me. Now that winter is approaching I can spend more time on the tank. I don't know what I am going to do with it because I really can't fit any more fish as even now, they have to take turns putting their face under the water because it is over crowded. I still feed live worms and clams every day because I feel that is the secret. Well, the worms "and" the bacteria in their guts as that is what keeps them immune but I don't want to go into that on here. (can't take the arguements, I am to old) I already wrote plenty on that subject. I think my fireclown is about 24 years old but I could be off by a few years because I can't find his birth certificate. When I bought him I actually thought he was a red hawkfish because when they are young, they look the same. Sort of like me and Brad Pitt. I don't remember how old most of the other fish are but I assume they average 5 or 6 with some of them approaching 16 or so.
I am not to excited that most of my fish live for their normal lifespan but I am proud of the fish that are considered difficult that live a long time. Fish like bluestripe pipefish, copperbands and clown gobies. I am also very proud that all my paired fish are spawning as I consider that success. I am also happy that at this point in my life I have found the secret that allows my fish to live their full lifespan. It took me fifty years and I think I now have it right. The bottle of copper/formalin I have from the 70s I can probably throw out as I have not needed it in I don't remember how long. It was made in Brooklyn. Actually I still use it when I get a fish for practically free because it is covered in parasites and the store owner knows it will die. Those are my favorite fish.

 

[Paul B]

The Pope just landed here in New York a little while ago. You can't go near Manhattan. I don't want to anyway but if I did, I couldn't get there. I saw the last Pope that came to Manhattan. He seems like a nice guy and I bet he has a tank full of Angelfish at the Vatican. I think the Pope has a really good job but he has to work on Sunday so I wouldn't take it, not that they are offering. I don't think there were to many electrician or Veteran Popes, but I am guessing.
Today I picked up some chowder clams for my fish food. Every meal I take the whole clam which I froze and shave off paper thin slices. I shave off some thicker slices to feed the bubble corals and larger fish and the tiny fish get tiny slivers. Besides blackworms, clams are my favorite food. For the fish too. After I shave off enough for that meal, I put it back in the freezer. I don't do blender mush because it is to violent and loses all the juices. I think clams contain everything they need along with the beneficial bacteria which contributes to their immunity. Bubble corals get huge when you feed them and clams really make them smile.
Last week I had an impacted wisdom tooth extracted by an oral surgeon. My dentist was to chicken to do it because it was sideways and all the way back near my ear. When I was a kid, the dentist told me that some day that tooth will be a problem. They didn't want to remove it then because they had to chop the bone and make a big mess. So it was feeling better until last night when it blew up and made me feel like a Sissy. I had to go back to the surgeon again today where they cut it open and cleaned it out, I think they used a chain saw as that is what it felt like. But the narcotic pain pills I got made it all worth while. Now I can write whatever I want and I will forget in the morning.
All my fish seem fine and look forward to a long life where they will eventually croak of old age as all my fish do, except the ones that jump out. I think I closed all the jumping holes but I am not sure. I am also having a LED issue and need to change some LEDs. I made a mistake when I built this 6' fixture as I didn't put a plexiglass shield under the LEDs so they get salt spray which corrodes the contacts. The next time I remove the light to replace those LEDs I will install the shield.
Anyway before this pain pill wears off I will say good night. Or good morning depending on where you are.

 

[jgraz]

I bet those fish would like to partake in a little pain relief

 

[Mark_C]

I wrote a book that is supposed to be out this week, I can't wait because I want to read it to see if I still agree with myself. I realize many people- OK everybody dis agrees with me but that is OK. I don't mind. I try to inject some common sense into my writings weather people believe me or not.

I do not disagree with you, and, as per your recommendation, started a small blackworm colony on my kitchen counter. Post a number of complaints from my wife, I moved them into a small tank instead. They are doing wonderfully, though I do believe they are beginning to realize that I am 'The One Who Wields The Sucker From Which None Return'. I entertain the thought that some of the worms may begin constructing small monuments in the corners of the tank to try to appease me and grant them favor.

I would also like to know where i might go to help support to your boat fuel bills by purchasing a copy of your book, I'm actually very interested.

When I was in the military, a person, who I assume had some form of dentalish training, removed all 4 of my wisdom teeth in the space of 10 minutes. Then a nurse came in and stitched up the holes. I was allowed 24 hours rest in a barren room, with a fuzzy TV and a fridge with fuzzy ice cream in it, before having to report back to my unit and having the snot kicked out of me. This was a wonderful experience which I recall to this day as I had a 24 hour reprieve from hell where I got to watch TV, have ice cream, and actually saw a girl.

I'm also not very religious, but I like this Pope. I think the only Pope I would like more would be Guido Sarducci.

 

[Paul B]

This tooth was more like an inner ear operation. Teeth are overrated and a stupid invention. I have 8 or 9 implants that I love because I could eat rocks if I want. I normally don't eat rocks but I could probably open clams with them. It is a shame that we start with a cavity, then eventually you need a root canal, then that gets infected and you need an apaco (which isn't fun at all) then they pull it and it gets dry socket (very painful) then they put in a bridge. After a few months the tooth next to it rots and you start all over again but you also realize that all of that cost more than the Brooklyn Bridge or the security for the Pope's New York visit. All you had to do when you first got that cavity was to tell the guy to pull it and put in an implant. It takes about 8 minutes and they use about 14 cents worth of titanium (which they charge you $3,000.00 for) but you will save $50,000.00 and a lot of agravation and pain over your life. Now when I get a toothache, thats what I do. Just pull it and put in an implant.
If I knew this 40 years ago,I would have all implants (sort of like Pamela Anderson) :lol: I could probably do the procedure myself now as they make a big deal out of it. I guess they need to so they can justify using 14 cents of a not very precious metal and charging you $3,000.00 for 8 minutes work. I mean titanium isn't that expensive, the space shuttle is made mostly out of it and we have 3 space shuttles just sitting around doing nothing which they could make implants out of. Like Duh. :sad2:

 

[Paul B]

My book just came out five minutes ago, OK, maybe 6. It is here http://www.saltwatersmarts.com/avant-garde-marine-aquarist/


I am on the cover because Christie Brinkley never answered my texts.

 

[Paul B]

What a beautiful morning. Of course first I had to go to the oral surgeon so he could poke and prod the large hole in my jaw where my wisdom tooth was because it was feeling good. Now, not so much, but that's the way it is. But it is a beautiful day so I will be going boating. You know when you walk your dog and you find a stick and throw it and your dog brings it back and has that smile on his face. So you know he really likes that stick and you bring it home? Then when you take him for a walk you throw it out your front door for him to get it. I do that all the time, but I never had a dog so the neighbors are complaining at all the sticks on my sidewalk. I just thought I would share that with you.

 

[mrehfeld]

I see your book is out in E-form. I preordered mine this morning. I can't wait to read it!

 

[Paul B]

I hope you like it. I read it a few times, but I may be partial to my writing. But it is a good thing I have a bad memory. This way I can learn something new every time I read it and laugh at my own jokes.

Mark,While in Viet Nam on the Cambodian border in fairly dense jungle I got a tooth ache. So I got on a small LOH helicopter for a long ride then I switched to a larger Huey helicopter, then I got to a place where they could land a fat plane to Saigon to a dentist that had a chair, pliers and little else. He said "where does it hurt?". I told him and he pulled the tooth with little fanfare. After about ten minutes I got back on a plane, took off, then got on a Huey to the LOH and flew back to Cambodia (where no one knew we were yet) and in the morning I was in pretty bad pain. (sleeping in the mud probably enhanced my immune system) The medic had some aspirins but that was about it. A few days later it swelled up so they put me on LOH to the Huey, to the plane to Saigon to the dentist with the chair where he said "Oh it must be this one". He pulled that one out, I went through the traveling, back to the jungle missing two adjacent teeth. Luckily, C-Rations were all mushy being they were put in the can before I was born so I healed up well. That was the start of me having a lot of dental work.
I even took my best friend DukDuk with me for moral support.

 

[Paul B]

In two days it's my anniversary. My wife and I will be married for 42 years. I think that's an accomplishment and a testament to my wife's patience.

 

[JRWOHLER]

Congratulations Paul for finding a supermodel to put up with you all these years.

 

[Paul B]

Thanks guys. yesterday We went out to Jedadiah Hawkins Inn for a couple of days. You Long Island guys will recognize it. I think it is in Laurel on the North Fork of Long Island. I have passed it many times but never stayed there. It was built in 1860 for a sea captain. While we were eating dinner there last night another, slightly older couple was also eating there and we started talking about wine and anniversaries. There are probably 25 or more wineries out east on Long Island. So he heard which wine my wife ordered and we found out he is in some sort of wine club. When they were leaving, he gave us a bottle of wine for a gift. That was very nice as we didn't know these people more then ten minutes. Then the manager of the place gave us another glass of wine and just before dinner we went to a winery for a wine tasting and had a few glasses of wine. We were all "wined" out by the end of dinner. So this morning we headed to a Vodka tasting distillery not far from there and of course came home loaded with all sorts of flavored Vodka's.

 

[Paul B]

I may write another book, but if I do, I will have a ghost writer do it for me. After all, it's almost Halloween.

 

[Paul B]

I just added this anthias which I think is kind of cool. I had to many fish before so now I "really" have to many fish. They have to take turns putting their faces in the water.

 

[Paul B]

Today I noticed my solar electric on my roof that I installed in 08 is not generating anything. Not good. So I pulled apart the system and discovered there is no DC power coming from the 22 panels on my roof. So now I have something to do tomorrow. A few days ago we had a large lightning storm and I think my solar array was hit. I will go up there tomorrow to see what I can find. I would rather look at my fish or a Supermodel but I want to do this while the weather is good.

 

[saltkreep88]

Since I know you did the math. How many years was the pay back on them?

 

[Paul B]

2 years. The system cost me about $24,000 and I installed it myself. The power company gave me about $7,000.00 in a rebate and I got back $14,000.00 from the Government. The system makes, or saves me about $110.00 a month on my electric bill so it paid for itself in 2 years. Now the panels are much cheaper and you can lease them. But the rebates are less.

 

[Paul B]

I also installed the system. But I found the problem. Squirrels. Yes, furry rodents. They made a nest under the panels and ate the insulation off about 8 wires and completely cut two of them. I can't believe they gnawed through #10 thhn insulation and completely cut through 3 live wires. They must have done most of it at night when the panels are not generating 200 volts DC. You can see the red wire here completely cut as is the white.
It took me most of the day because I had to remove 5 panels and clean out the nest and re install new wiring. But it is now working again. I also installed galvanized grating on the sides of the installation where they were getting through. Now on the front and back the gap is about an inch. I think they can still squeeze through and if they do, I will have to put grills on that, but that is a lot more work requiring 80' of grill and there isn't a good place to secure it there, but if I have to I will. or of course I can set a grenade up with a trip wire.

 

[Paul B]

I may have to go back to work just so I can take a day off. I can't believe how busy I am and I am retired for 8 years. I don't know how I did these things while I was working. This week I missed a Veterans Breakfast and a Veterans Bar be cue because I couldn't get the time to get there.
We get up about 5:45 and start our day. Today we went grocery shopping (my wife has MS so I help her) Then from there we went to a dermatologist for a yearly skin check which I think is stupid but they tell me that we spend so much time in the sun on our boat that we should go and waste some time getting our skin checked. OK, the Dr. is kind of a Babe so I don't mind to much. We talk about SCUBA diving, fish, boats and like that. She also dug something out of my neck. I don't know what it was but I guess I didn't need it. Then we came home and I got a package, it was a new timer for our clothes drier which I took apart last week because the thing ran all night and didn't shut off, but the clothes were really dry. I turned on the light in the laundry room and it didn't work. Luckily I had a ballast, and I was an electrician in another life so I installed a ballast and fixed the light so I could see the drier. I installed the part but before I finished, my wife was yelling that the dishwasher is not filling with water and it smells. So I leave the drier and take apart the dishwasher. I think dishwashers are a stupid invention and I see nothing wrong with washing dishes the normal way. I also think it takes longer using the dishwasher by the time you rinse the dishes, load the thing and un load it. It smelled because water wasn't going in it and the heating element was just burning up all the plastic in there. So I find the problem, it was an overflow switch under the unit that was stuck, so I put that back together and go to finish the drier. Yesterday I spent all day on my roof re-installing wires under my solar panels on my roof because the stupid squirrels ate the wires. I guess my tomatoes that they have been eating all summer ran out and they thought they needed a little copper. This afternoon I went up on the roof and took some measurements and went to Home Depot (again) to get some more wire mesh to fill the gaps on the sides of the panels because yesterday I only did the ends. I fed the fish and noticed that no water was going into my reverse Undergravel filter. I took the powerhead that is hidden behind the rocks out after breaking some montipora and I had to clean out some gravel in the unit. I put that back together and glued the montipora back together. It seems that every day is like this so I want a day off.

 

[Paul B]

I devised this method of keeping squirrels out. I bought gutter guard and sliced them in thirds. Then screwed them in. You can see it here and to the right with the cover on. It took be like 4 hours but it is worth it to see the expression on their little faces when they can't get in.