Aisha first blog

The typical trip to a beach resort is expensive, to say the least. How, then, can you find a cheap beach vacation? Start by identifying what you really want.

Do you really need to stay at a big resort? If that’s important to you, and you still want to save some money on your trip, you need to be flexible on dates a bit. Try the “shoulder season” (just before the season gets going or right after it starts to wind down). Often there are deals that save you as much as 50% at these times. Also, you can just keep checking different dates for both plane tickets and hotels. Sometimes the difference of a day or two can save you hundreds of dollars.

What if you don’t need a big resort experience? What if you just want to visit any warm and relaxing sandy shore? What if you aren’t sure what you want, but you know it has to be a cheap beach vacation? Here are some of the less expensive alternatives.

Caretaking Vacations

In Hawaii, California or Costa Rica there may be somebody just waiting for you to come and stay in their house while they’re absent. Oh, you might have to water the plants and get the mail for them, but in exchange you get to stay in a beautiful home. Just find one of these caretaking opportunities near a beach. For more on this, you can check out the Caretaker Gazette online.

Find A Friend

It is good to have friends with spare beds who live in interesting places, especially if that is near the beach. Perhaps some friends have already told you to come and stay a while. Why not take them up on it? While you are at it, encourage your friends to move to nice beach resort towns.

Beach Camping Vacation

You have probably seen those Corona beer advertisements. Relaxing on the shore with a drink – now that sounds like a great time. Restless? Collect seashells and driftwood up and down the shoreline, or bring a metal detector and search for treasure. Take a swim when it gets too hot, and watch the sunset every night.

How do you make this into a cheap beach vacation? By camping. In Florida, Texas and many other places you can camp in your RV, or in a tent, right next to the ocean. We liked the state parks in northern Florida, where we saw dolphins swimming by and flew a kite while collecting some of the most colorful sea shells we have seen. $24 per night was a lot cheaper than the hotels in the area, and if you wanted to go really cheap, there were free campgrounds within thirty minutes of the coast.

Pick A New Beach

The great lakes are like oceans of fresh water, but cheaper to visit. In the upper peninsula of Michigan in particular, you can often find cheap motels on or near the beach. Most people visit these beaches in summer only, although the best deals may be in September, while the days are still hot and the water is at it’s warmest.

Share The Cost

If you have friends who also want a cheap beach vacation, you can get together to reduce the cost. This can mean sharing a room as college kids do during spring break, or renting an RV together. If you are going really cheap you can all get in the car and drive to the nearest warm beach with a couple tents.

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Tiki signs are more than just wooden boards that announce the name of a Tiki bar, surf shop or some other establishment, they are real works of art that depict various Polynesian flora, fauna and other symbols. They convey the Polynesian lifestyle and provide an authentic Polynesian feel to any space.

There are various types of signs from simple Aloha Signs to the more detailed Vintage Hawaiiana Signs. These signs are used for spaces that are meant to have a Tropical atmosphere such as Tiki bars, resorts, hotels and other places that have a laid-back and exotic atmosphere. Tiki signs are also popular with shops and places that promote the surfer lifestyle.

There are simple Tiki signs that feature only letters created to evoke a Polynesian or Hawaiian theme, while there are others with Tiki deities incorporated in them. The designs are as varied as the locations or spaces they are used in and as colorful and as meaningful as the Polynesian culture. With the number of styles and materials of these signs it is easy to find one that will match your design needs.

Authentic Tiki signs are carved from different types of woods from bamboo to hard woods. The materials used and the design executed on the pieces depend on the purpose of the sign. Aloha and Welcome signs are often carved in hardwood and decorated with Hawaiian symbols such as Hibiscus, aquatic life and other animals that are endemic in Hawaii and other Central Eastern Polynesian locations. These signs often come in small sizes between 12 inches to 20 inches. There are also big Signs carved and painted on hardwoods such as life-sized vintage surf board signs.

Bamboo signs often feature simple designs because they are often used in Tiki Huts, Hotels and resorts where there are already plenty of décor and elements that depict the Tropics. These signs are just meant to communicate the name of the place, to mark restrooms and other spaces. But there are also Bamboo signs created with Tiki gods, such as Tiger Bamboo indoor sculptures that feature various facial expressions and hold various meanings.

Driftwood signs are fantastic sign boards carved or painted on drift woods. These are also perfect for surf shops, resorts and even homes because of the beautiful texture and grain of the wood. Most Driftwood signs feature only letters or text to take advantage of the exquisite nature of the wood. When you have a beautiful, stained drift wood, there is often no need to add other design elements.

Another beautiful sign category is the Nautica Sign. Nautica Tiki Signs are often carved from traditional Hawaiian Paddles used in kayaks and canoes. They are beautiful because they represent the nautical culture of Polynesian countries. Kayaks and Canoes are often used in rituals and celebrations in Hawaiian and Polynesian cultures.

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Woodcrafting can be one of the most enjoyable hobbies you’ll find around. Not only is it enjoyable, but it’s very productive, also. There are all kinds of woodcraft ideas you can create that can be useful and decorative for your home. Even small items that the children can help to create, such as jewelry boxes, tissue boxes, even cute little pencil holders for your desk.

Popsicle sticks make wonderful craft material for kids to work with. They’re small enough for their little fingers and children can glue and paint and create beautiful objects for around the house. One of the favorite and easy to do Popsicle stick crafts are picture frames. You glue the sticks in a square, usually using eight sticks and when they dry, the children can paint them whatever color they wish. Adding sequins or glitter to the frame adds that extra touch. Glue your favorite picture to the back of the frame and glue a thread or the loop off a pop can to hang the picture with and you have an adorable and decorative picture for your wall or desk.

Another, more extensive woodcraft with Popsicle sticks is an adorable doll house. You’d would have to help the children with this; they will need supervision for a project this size. After completing the house, you can help your child decorate each room with paint and wallpaper, and even little scraps of carpeting. There are so many great and simple craft ideas for the kids with Popsicle sticks.

Do you want to make your own Christmas ornaments and decorations for other holidays? It’s easy to do and a lot of fun, something the whole family can work on together. You can carve little Santa’s, reindeer and other Christmas items and let the children help paint and decorate them.

Almost any type of wood you find around you can be used for a super craft project. Many people like to use simple driftwood found on the beach. When sanded down and varnished, it makes a sharp addition to your wreck room, deck and even under your mailbox with the family name printed on it. What about a little wishing well for your front yard or a big porch swing to enjoy on those warm summer nights, or maybe you’re not quite sure what you want to create. There are lots of books and magazines to help you find just the right project for you and it will tell you what materials are best for the project you pick. You can purchase books or take a trip down to your local library and find what you’re looking for. Lumber yards are very helpful with helping you pick out just the right type of wood that you will need for any big projects you decide to take on, such as porch decks, sheds, kitchen additions, etc.

So check out books, magazines or think of woodcraft ideas of your own and start to enjoy the fun of being creative.

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I love large trees and large decorations, but they are not practical everywhere and for everyone. Although it would be great to have a 15 foot tree festively decorated with hundreds of yards of lights, pounds of tinsel, and hundreds of ornaments, it’s simply not practical for most people. Even a small four or five footer may be impractical in your apartment, your office, or even in your home. For these reasons and many more, the small Christmas tree has become extremely popular.

Now a small tree can be of almost any type. It can be a natural tree or perhaps the top section cut off a natural tree. It can be artificial, perhaps a natural looking one or maybe a silver, red, green, or even pink one. It might be a potted bonsai tree or perhaps a topiary plant. I’ve even seen one made of driftwood, festively decorated, and simply radiating holiday cheer.

Most small trees, sometimes called tabletop Christmas trees, even though they are not always put on tabletops, are artificial these days. Artificials have several benefits although they are not for everyone. There is no mess or fuss; watering, needles dropping, fire hazards, disposal of a dead tree after the holidays, etc. However you will not have that fresh tree smell. Hint: A natural wreath can supply that fresh pine smell instead.

Lack of space is never a limiting factor when it comes to holiday cheer, although lack of imagination can be. Just think, “What would Santa do?”

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This is the story of Mother Time: patience, peace and positive attitude – taught to me slowly – patiently – over the course of 5 years by my beautiful wisdom tree (there are photographs on my blog below…) Certainly my majestic tree has kept me company and encouraged me to work hard and comforted me when I lost hope during my slow rehabilitation from a car accident 2 years ago.

Before that, my wisdom tree stayed with me and listened to me patiently while I got over the loss of my husband to another woman. Every day I would walk on the beach, breathing the ozone with my face turned toward the sun. I sometimes walked with my face down, preferring solitude and only chatting with other dog owners more as the months went by. I would balance on the logs and walk along a line drawn in the sand, checking my footprints for progress – great physiotherapy. Every day I would make time for a regular session with my favorite counsellor: the patient, peaceful wisdom tree… Mother time had overcome every single obstacle and quietly ruled with great strength and dignity. The fiercest storm was no match for her determination.

Could this be the key to life?

The one thing that seems to be most important in everything you do when you’re rebuilding yourself – whether from a broken heart or a broken head – is knowing and exploring yourself. Knowing what you need. Knowing what you want. Spending time reflecting and getting to know your new self and understanding what you need to make the new you happy and your new life work. Redefining yourself and your relationships throughout your life is never easy. It’s one of the hardest and most important things to do…. Map out where you are today, what you have now, what you want in your life tomorrow.

Ever since I moved here, I found myself drawn to the huge, gnarled tree that has been lying across the beach for, some said, two hundred years. I’m told it was here when the beach was a First Nations Community, before an exodus to downtown Esquimalt, lured by the lifestyle of the new English ships. Now it’s my local beach – a bay protected by our own sea monster, the Cadborosaurus, affectionately known as Caddy. Every day I walk on the beach with my sweet little dog, balancing on the washed-up logs or drawing a line in the sand with a stick and then walking along it, checking my footprints for progress. The wisdom tree watches me, patiently, new leaves dancing in the breeze. Some days I feel compelled to touch it, hold it, kiss it. This may sound ridiculous but I never felt safer or more ‘plugged in’ to the secrets of surviving this world than at those times with my wisdom tree.

I run my hands over the wood, which is cool to the touch and smooth and dark with age: with a deep, almost fossilized patina. There was a new tree that had washed up close to it this morning and I noticed how very different they were: the old wisdom tree was lying on its side, still firmly attached to deep roots. You could see a 40′ rent in the cliff where it had clung fiercely to this earth. It was still firmly attached and it hadn’t moved in years despite high seas and heavy storms. There was new growth, sprouting up like wisps of baby-fine hair and new branches and green leaves growing straight upwards toward the sun. The whole tree was now lying on the beach pointing toward the ocean. This morning’s tree, although large and with many branches, had been torn loose from the earth and had been tossed around in the ocean as if it were a piece of light driftwood. The elements had their way, unopposed by any life force within the tree and had stripped it bare of its protective bark and sun-bleached it almost white.

I leaned up against my wise tree, screwing my eyes up in the bright sunshine… Was there a simple message here? Somewhere, I could sense that there was. The sea was calm and blue, lapping gently at the shore – certain, steady, self-confident ‘nature’. Was this magnificent old tree open to sharing its wisdom with me? Was the priceless recipe for a good life staring me right in the face, free to all who were willing to allow it to seep in through the cracks and crannies of their souls?

Was this the key?

I think I may have touched it, briefly…

Despite the weather, whatever the obstacles, calmly dig in and stay the course. Through good and bad, stormy and quiet, sunny and gray. Deepen your patina. Keep your resolve.

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That lovely acrylic aquarium weighs a lot–about 10 pounds per gallon of material, so it definitely needs a structure to support it.

Creativity can be applied to structural supports as freely as for the aquarium itself.

The structural support itself should be…

1) Solid. Avoid individual legs as these tend to be weaker.

2) Even. The surface on which the aquarium sits should be even; using a level to gauge this is vital.

3) Wide enough to spread out the weight. Make sure the structure spreads out the weight of the aquarium and is not too tall.

Steel supports are a good idea for very heavy aquariums. The steel beams are usually powder coated to resist corrosion from humidity.

The structural support is often a wood cabinet. Many types of woods, finishes, decorative carving and metal fixtures can be applied.

Believe it or not, fish will sometimes try to jump out of an aquarium, especially if they are stressed, so the canopy will prevent them from floundering on the floor.

An acrylic aquarium canopy or hood is a finishing touch on the aquarium. You want to see the beautiful aquarium and aquatic life, not the wires and filters that keep it running! This additional part of the cabinetry hides the components of the tank, yet provides easy access to it for cleaning and maintenance.

The aquarium canopy also keeps out dust, debris, and flying insects, and reduces evaporation.

Canopy considerations include…

1) Type of lighting. Hotter light sources need a taller canopy to allow heat disbursement.

2) Fan holes. Holes are cut into the canopy in the back to allow for ventilation. Placement of these holes for aesthetic reasons is necessary.

The finishing touches for your aquarium include decorations for the inside and outside of the tank. You can have…

1) Picture frames

2) Driftwood

3) Ships and other sea-going vessels

4) Underwater castles, volcanoes and mermaids

5) Artificial plant life

Decorations outside the aquarium as part of the structure can be wood carvings and inset photos or other images.

A prime consideration, of course, is that anything that goes into the aquarium is not toxic to your fish.

Be careful that nothing you put in the aquarium contains metal that will rust.

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We have all seen great lists of camping essentials, but in our opinion there are five items you absolutely should not do without.

Your camping trip sometimes may end up being a total write-off for the simplest reason. That’s because we don’t get to do it very often. The average camper may get to spend 15 or 20 days per year sleeping out in the great outdoors. Judging by the many accessories in today’s RV’s, roughing it may not mean the same as it did years ago.

As a couple who have had a great many nights under the stars we have compiled a short list of five items we would not leave home without. Your list may differ from ours but that’s human nature.

Our five most important camping items.

A large tarpaulin with plenty of rope. We camped on the west coast of British Columbia, as well as many years on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. In these two areas it rains plenty. On the east coast we simply put up with the rain. On those days we put up with it or went home. The ground would get wet. Everyone was bored while trapped inside the tent. Not until we camped in British Columbia did we learn what to do. Our first spring weekend trip took us to a beautiful BC Provincial park. The couple next door to our site had a huge tarpaulin set up and lashed to the trees. Two extension poles raised the center up high. It covered the entire site. It rained that night. Next morning they had a campfire going and ate breakfast under the tarp. Their site was perfectly dry. Definite high on our list of camping essentials.

An axe, a hatchet and a small bucksaw. Very important tools. You purchase a bundle of firewood. It’s either too large to burn, or too small and burns quickly. You may need to find a dead tree, a piece of driftwood or a large chunk someone else had and couldn’t cut up. The axe will split large pieces. The hatchet cuts the larger pieces down to size. The saw can be used to salvage long pieces. My saw was a Sandvik saw with a 12 inch blade. It had very sharp large teeth that cut through small logs easily. It never dulled.

Fire sticks and fire paste. Both are very effective but one or the other will do. Excellent camping essentials. If you want to be able to start a campfire every single time, these products will do the job. We have never had a failure. They are very inexpensive. A package of 12 sticks will last the entire summer. Prepare the fire with tiers of kindling and a few pieces of larger wood. Cut a one inch piece of fire stick. Slip it under the kindling and light it. It will burn until the fire is blazing.

Propane camp stove with an eight pound tank. Two or three burner. Both are excellent. We wore out two, white gas stoves over the years. The kind you pump up to use. The fuel is simply called Camp-stove fuel. They were a bother. They could be dangerous. The propane stove is much superior product. We suggest the eight pound tank as it is very cheap to fill at the local service station, will last hundreds of hours, and is easy on the landfill. Carry a one pound canister just in case you run out with the eight pound tank.

Last but not least. Check your equipment. One year we opened up our large tent during our first trip of the year only to discover the entire upper corner had been torn up and used as nesting material by squirrels during the winter. That trip was ruined. Check your stove, gas container, lamps, flashlights, tents and RV’s. Leave nothing unchecked and you will enjoy a great camping season with your camping essentials.

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The groups of fishes commonly referred to as Cichlids, comprise a vast group of, generally larger and more aggressive fishes from Africa and South and Central America with a few species being found in Asia. They offer such a large variety of bright colors, shapes and habits that they have become one of the most popular fishes kept by hobbyist’s world wide.

Such is the diversity of species, breeding habits and feeding that it becomes necessary to set up different groups of Cichlids in different tanks. Some of these include African Cichlids, American Cichlids, Dwarf Cichlids or Discus. It is usually recommended that you keep these like minded fishes together and don’t mix them in general.

Selecting and Positioning Your Tank

Always try to choose a tank with the largest possible surface area and volume as most cichlids grow quite large. Make sure you always have a glass cover to stop your fish jumping out.

Position your new aquarium so that you avoid direct sunlight hitting the aquarium for too long as this can cause excessive algae problems.

Choosing Gravel, Decor and Setting Up

Cichlids are quite territorial and the more holes, refuges and interesting “zones” you can create make for a much harmonized community.

A good starting point is to place in your tank a background that can offer the realism and natural environment that these fish will feel very relaxed and unstressed in. Check out the cichlid mansion range from Aquarium + Reptile Rocks Inc if you want something extraordinary.

Next is the gravel we advise a fine blended gravel as too coarse a gravel size allows uneaten food and waste to accumulate in the pockets between pebbles away from water flow that break it down. There are several varieties to choose from. Clean your gravel in small quantities in a bucket. Three or four rinses should be sufficient. Place the cleaned gravel into your tank along with a little water.

Next to add some more “zones” you can add cleaned rocks and driftwood and position them. Triangulate your decorations to create a greater depth of field and provide an amphitheatre where the fish can congregate in a community setting. Try to slope your gravel slightly towards the rear and sides using rocks and logs to create tiers and depth. The lightweight rocks from A+RR Inc like quartz rocks, north head ridge, barnacle, rock pool and charred wood make this fun and easy to do. When you have the major decorations in place, add a little water, if this is a little dirty from the gravel siphon this dirty water out again into your bucket.

Next fill your tank. Avoid disturbing the gravel by using a plate or newspaper onto which you can direct the water flow. Some coral sand is a good addition to an African tank, while white Rift Lake Sand looks great for Africans also but can show up detritus badly. These aspects will be discussed further later.

Preparing your Tap Water

Next we must treat our tap water to remove harmful chlorine and ammonia. There are several products that will remove both, the best value is Amquel Instant water Detoxifier.

It is also necessary to replace electrolytes like, magnesium, and potassium making in tap water.

The electrolytic aquarium salts are essential to fishes well being. Not only provide an anti-bacterial effect, but help fishes produce body slime to protect themselves from infection and create an essential osmotic barrier so they do not dehydrate. Make sure it is dissolved before adding to your aquarium.

There are also several products we can use to specific water conditions for African and Discus. To calculate water volume: consider 10cm x 10cm x 10cm = 1 liter. So length (cm) x Width (cm) x Height (cm) divided by 1000 = Volume (liters).

Biological Filter Supplementation

The Best way to get crystal clear water is to pro-actively provide bacteria cultures as biological filter supplement. In our opinion WASTE CONTROL and CYCLE used in conjunction with one another or HBH TERMINITE are the best way to enhance your filtration and stay ahead of the game. People using these products simply do not encounter the same problems as people who take a minimalist approach (don’t use a filter supplement) and end up constantly reacting to problems. These bacteria cultures help convert all organic wastes to ammonia then further to nitrite and finally to nitrate. To establish your tanks bacteria populations can take several weeks but is accelerated greatly by adding supplements. Do not overstock your new aquarium during this run in period.

Filtration

All good filters provide ample filter media surface areas for the colonization of aerobic (oxygen breathing) denitrifying bacteria which break down fish waste. The greater the volume of the filter and the greater the flow rate, the bigger the population of bacteria to keep your tank clean. This is Biological filtration. All good filters should provide some sponge as Mechanical filtration. Chemical filtration is also important. We always use ammonia remover as a safeguard. Carbon is also beneficial but Purigen is superior. It is rechargeable and will also remove log stains from your tank (That is if you did not use the Charred wood from A+RR Inc). Remember to rinse loose particles out before adding to your filter.

Filter Types

Freshwater Trickle filters offer the most filtration for large seriously stocked tanks.

External Canister filers like the PRIME, EHEIM, FLUVAL or VIA AQUA are the best of the commercially available filters. They offer the largest volume of media and can be concealed from view. All these brands have a simple priming system and excellent taps to isolate water in the tubing while the filter is cleaned.

Hang On styles like the AQUACLEAR and AQUAONE are also very good. They possibly provide the best value if your budget does not permit an external canister. Simple fill the filter box with water and turn on. Water is pumped through the filter and gravity flows back into your tank.

Internal motorized filters like the CRYSTAL , RIO , and EIHEM are popular for smaller tanks or as a secondary filter for extra circulation in a large tank. Internals usually do not interfere with top glass or hoods. These can be placed under one of your lightweight rocks.

Air Operated filtration is often not sufficient for cichlids. We do highly recommend air bubbling in Cichlid tanks. Be sure to use a Check Valve so that water cannot flow back into your pump if power goes off.

If you have a Cichlid Mansions or Amazon background from A+RR Inc you can conceal a lot of the plumbing from view which makes for a very attractive set up.

Water Changing

Although nitrate (residual waste) is relatively harmless, the levels will accumulate and become dangerous if regular partial water changes are not performed to dilute nitrates. Cichlids are large fish that eat a lot, so nitrates accumulate quickly. PH is also pulled dangerously lower by organic waste accumulation. Therefore, no matter how good your filtration is, you still must water change regularly. We recommend a 1/3 – ½ water change fortnightly to keep pH above neutral and nitrates low.

The best tool to assist you with water changes is a Lee’s Gravel Vacuum. They allow you to remove the dirtiestwater from around the gravel and replace it with clean, treated tap water. This task is easier to do and a better job done if you have lightweight rocks and décor. We recommend you test pH and nitrate weekly to ensure your water changing maintenance is sufficient to maintain this balance. PH can be maintained using PH UP, but the only easy way to remove nitrate is by water changing.

An important tip when changing. Rinse your filter media in your old aquarium water rather than under a tap as the chlorine in tap water will kill off the precious filter bacteria living in the foam and other media. If you follow these procedures you should never have to completely break your tank down to clean it out.

Heating

If you want to keep Cichlids you will need to heat them. A good guide is approximately 1 watt of heating per liter of water. A higher wattage heater than necessary is often a good choice though because they can be used on larger aquariums. Position your heater in a back corner at a 45 degree angle so that heat does not rise directly onto the thermostat. Make sure that there is good water movement around the heater to ensure that the element is heating. Large cichlids can get quite boisterous, so a heater guard will stop your heater being broken. We believe it necessary to also install a thermostat to check the heater. The stick on types are the best in our opinion as the suction cup type soon do not stick and require replacement.

Lighting

Lighting is necessary to view your fish at night time. To achieve this we find it better to illuminate your tank from afternoon until bed time when people can more easily enjoy their tanks. Lighting left on all day will undoubtedly cause excessive algae problems. For best results with plants we recommend high intensity full spectrum white lighting. We like to use Aquastars, Arcadia ‘s or Power Glo’s.

The African Cichlid Tank

The African Rift lake Cichlids from Lakes Malaqi, Tanganyika and Victoria have become a popular variety of fish for people who desire dramatic color, size and movement in their tanks. African cichlids are quite aggressive and fast moving and should be kept in tanks set up for a community of African cichlids.

Natural Habitat

African Cichlids inhabit the rocky shorelines of the rift lakes of Africa . The water in these lakes is quite hard and alkaline. Large schools of fish graze algae from the rocky outcrop reefs. Amongst the algae live small crustaceans which also constitute part of the diet of African cichlids.

The bottom of the lakes is sandy. Innumerable caves formed between the boulders offer protection to young fish and brooding females. Check out the Cichlid mansion and Amazon range of backgrounds if you want realism and something special. Most species from Lake Malawi are mouth brooders and constitute a large proportion of the species available in the hobby. A lot of the Tanganyikan species form lifetime pair bonds and protect their young, while others are also mouth brooders.

Rift Lake Water Conditioning

To recreate the hard alkaline water required by these fish, shell grit or coral sand should be added to your gravel or used exclusively for the bottom. African Rift lake sand is also becoming popular, but can show up detritus badly. Good quality African Cichlid water conditioners like the Seachem Rift Lake Salt and Buffers are a real advantage in creating the right water conditions.

There are several products that will remove both chlorine and ammonia, but the best value is….Amquel Instant water Detoxifier.

Setting up African Rift Lake Cichlids

As African cichlids come from rocky shoreline areas of the lakes, we suggest that intricate rockwork form the basis of your set-up arranged to form area’s with numerous caves. The rockwork should be predominantly built up around the back and sides to leave a communal amphitheatre where all the interaction and displays take place. A+RR Inc has a large range of rocks which are extremely attractive and offer plenty of hiding places. Plants are not essential to your African community tank because African Cichlids, being omnivorous, will eat your plants except for something such as Anubias. One option here is to cut some holes in barnacle rock which allows the greenery to be seen but protects the base in the gravel from the fish. Plastic plants instead make a good addition.

Adding African Rift Lake Cichlids

Try to crowd your African cichlids without taxing your filtration and water change management. This stops individuals from becoming too dominant and harassing others.

We find it best to start with small to medium sizes of fishes of several species in groups of four.

(4 Electric Blue, 4 Electric Yellows, 4 Venustus, 4 Red Empress)

Of the Lake Malawi fishes, the most common species are Zebras, Pindani, Lombardoi and others. People often start with these species as they are cheaper and show color while still young. Many hobbyists progress to the slightly more expensive and spectacular ‘Haplochromis’ group, like Electric Blues, Red Empress and the Peacocks where only the males exhibit the most amazing color as they mature. In general Take Tanganyika fishes are a bit more expensive and comprise some of the most sought after species like Frontosa, “Lanprologus” and Trheus.

Feeding Africans

Feeding African Cichlids the right type of foods is very important. African Cichlids have extremely long intestinal tracts, like omnivores, which means that foods (meat, worms etc.) will take a long time to digest. Inappropriate foods will rot in their stomachs causing bloating, sickness and sometimes death. For this reason foods with a large proportion of spirulina and vegetables are best. Our favourites, HBH VEGE or Cichlid Flakes and Pellets are perfect. Super Bits are also eagerly taken but we do not like to feed Super Bits exclusively, but rather combined with Spirulina based foods. Frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp are also good for most species, but meats and live blackworm are definitely no-no’s.

The American Cichlid Tank

American Cichlids are larger growing and slower moving than their African cousins. They are also far more predatory and are happy with a higher protein than Africans. For these reasons we do not recommend keeping American and African Cichlids together. Of course there is always the odd exception.

Natural Habitat

The natural habitat of the Central and South American cichlids is quite different to that of Africans. Logs and branches in general replace rocky outcrops still having a background that can provide safe secure retreats are important. We feel darker gravel such as the Red Gravel blend suits the reflective colors of Americans, compared to lighter substrates spawners who will form a pair bond. Spawns can produce hundreds of fry, the parents will try to protect and nurture their babies instinctively. It is not uncommon for pairs of fish to spawn in the community tank, although it is unlikely that the parents will be able to protect babies from the hordes. Most American cichlids have also been in the hobby for a lot longer than Africans. Species like Oscars and Red Devils have become household names.

Water Conditioning

American Cichlids are quite tolerant of water conditions, but a pH close to neutral and low nitrates (regular water changes) provide a comfortable environment. Always treat new tap water well with XXXXXX and XXXXX as with all fish.

Setting Up for American Cichlids

Use plenty of logs. Submerge some rocks into the substrate and add more structure on top… Do not be concerned by excessive color from new logs as this will become less with regular water changing. You could use charred wood from A+RR Inc here as well. Plastic plants attached to small crevice rock will provide a splash of color. Of course you can use one of the Amazon or Cichlid mansion backgrounds that will create a stunning base for you to expand on.

Adding American Cichlids

Try to set up a large variety of young fish to grow up together. That way you will have far more compatible large fish when they grow up. Our favourite species are Oscars, Red Devils, Texas , Firemouths, Severums etc. Give them plenty of room to grow. Often people will ask, “What can I put with my large Oscar who has lived alone for a year?” if you put another single fish in, there is every chance that the new inhabitant will be killed. We advised it is better to trade in large fish and start with a community of smaller Americans.

Feeding Americans

American cichlids will consume a large variety of foods. HBH make a range of American specific cichlid foods. Advance the size of the pellets as your young fish grow. A wide variety of frozen foods are recommended in conjunction with live foods including feeder fish. Only offer feeder fish as a treat, otherwise they will become fussy about accepting prepared foods.

Dwarf Cichlids

The most popular dwarf cichlids are the Apistogrammas and Microgeophagus (Rams) from South America and the Pelvicachromis (Kribensis) from the Congo River system of Africa . These dwarf cichlids are popular community fish that may spawn in a community tank and exercise parental care over their young if there is enough cover. They prefer a good varied diet of prepared frozen and live foods.

Discus

Discuses are a popular group of cichlids kept by enthusiasts all over the world. Many claim Discus are the “King of Fishes”. Discus are definitely a fish that require some experience, although they may be kept in a community tank. The major requirement to keeping Discus well is good water management and the best foods. Discuses seem to metabolize quickly and need to be fed often with high quality prepared and frozen foods. The best are Tetra Bits with daily frozen food like Beef Heart and Liver and Discus Dinner. Once Discus are feeding well they are competitive and hardy.

Discus are usually happy in low nitrate water with pH slightly acidic and soft water which is very warm 29-32 Degrees Celcius. For breeding Discus, the fish need to be well conditioned on the best foods. The best range of water conditioners for Discus are the Seachem range of Discus Buffers.

The major problem with Discus is their susceptibility to parasites like gill flakes as well as intestinal worms and flagellates. We advise regular treatments for parasites with General Cure or Worm-Rid, especially after Discus are newly purchased or moved. Intestinal worms are best treated with Worm-Rid and flagellates with Octozin. An inexpensive, yet very good book is the Barron’s Discus Fishes.

Enjoy setting up your tank and we love receiving your pictures of the products from A+RR Inc (Aquarium + Reptile Rocks Inc).

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Situated in the beautiful county of West Sussex in England is the town of Littlehampton. Littlehampton is famous for its seaside and harbor development on the River Arun. Home to over 26 000 inhabitants, this lovely English town boasts safe, clean, beaches, making Littlehampton, West Sussex an ideal family holiday destination.

Littlehampton made the headlines after the building of the East Beach Cafe. This unusual building was designed by Heatherwick Studios. Looking very much like a piece of driftwood, the building has received good and bad reviews since its erection, but it certainly attracts many visitors to the area.

Littlehampton is well known for its excellent musical performances. The town nurtures and encourages the arts, and supports the many local writers and painters who live in the town. An annual music event held for charity attracts thousands of visitors.

If you are a sports fan, you can enjoy rugby matches, join the running club, swimming club, or play hockey. The local golf course is open to non-members. Harbour Park, an adventure village, provides entertainment for the whole family.

Littlehampton has many outstanding restaurants. Choose from traditional British fare to Indian, Italian, Thai or European food. There are lots of fine hotels as well as excellent holiday accommodation on the sea front.

Nature lovers visiting Littlehampton should not miss a visit to West Dean Gardens where a feeling of serenity greets you when entering. Featuring a walled kitchen garden and many beautifully restored Victorian glass houses, you can enjoy stunning views of the English countryside.

A novel way to appreciate the Sussex countryside is on horseback. There are many equestrian clubs that arrange for tours for the public. You can also tour one of the several vineyards in Sussex. There are quaint shops en route where you can buy local wine and delicious homemade delicacies.

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Everything that is old is new, and the resurgence in the popularity of terrariums is proof. The rage in the the 1970′s, time-stretched indoor plant lovers have begun to bring the terrarium back into home decor. Glass enclosed containers feature miniature plants and accents. Easy to take care of and perfect for the absent-minded homeowner, terrariums are a cinch to create and maintain. Here are some handy hints.

-Pick a visual theme and stick with it. Think of the terrarium as a pint-sized landscape. Don’t mix accents from different themes such as mushrooms with driftwood.

-Remember to put a layer of small pebbles or stones on the bottom and a layer of small charcoal over. All plants don’t like to stand in water or have “wet feet”.

-Water sparingly, especially if covered. Take the top off every so often so fresh air and breathe into the terrarium.

-Buy small plants when first establishing your terrarium. Over time these plants might need to be moved out or pruned as they overtake other plants. Editing is the key to successful small container gardening.

-Most any glass container will do for your terrarium. Tall cylinders work best, and I prefer topless terrariums.

-Desert scenes with cacti and succulents, add sand and some rough rocks as an easy first attempt at terrarium gardening.

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