Friday, October 30, 2015

Roll That Beautiful Fish Footage

Good Friday morning to all from the rancho....

Up early, not for work, but taking hubby to the surgery center for a "manipulation" of his shoulder to break down scar tissue from his February surgery.  I'm pretty sure it's going to be a long weekend. He is not a happy patient.  Since he can't eat or drink...all the coffee for ME this morning.  LOL  And I've got one thing to say...Pumpkin Spice Creamer and fresh ground coffee. Wait, is that two things? Hmmm, not sure, but it is ALL MINE!

The reason for my title?  It comes with a bit of background information...

As my son was growing up, we were the zoo of the neighborhood.  We had fish, turtles, guinea pigs, snakes, mice, cats, dogs, horses, and cows.  It starts innocently enough.  Mom, can I have a snake? No, here's some fish.  Mom, can I have a snake?  No, here's a turtle.  Mom, can I have snake?  Oh, I don't care.  Even I can be broken down...LOL

Unfortunately, when my son moved from home, I became the zookeeper.  Over the years, the pets have passed peacefully and the various cages and tanks found their way out to the barn.  Except for one, the biggest fish tank.  I still have two VERY large plecostomus (algae eaters).  All the other fish had been gone for a couple of years and I was getting really tired of cleaning the tank for just a couple of fish.  A few of weeks ago, I went to the pet store and was told that they would take my two plecos. Not to put up for sale, but to put into their community tank.  I just couldn't.  I seem to be emotionally attached.  Sigh.  My other choice?  I might as well get a few more fish to make the tank pretty.  Here is a picture that gives you an idea how big these guys are:






This tank is about 4 feet long, 50 gallons.  The little orange spots are my new platys.  And this morning, I checked the tank...I got babies!  I know that all of them won't make it, but even if I can get a few to survive every  couple of months, I won't have to stock my tank.  I've got plenty of hiding places, so I am ever hopeful.

My other news?  I got a new Ottlite.  I've had a small one for over a year that I take when I go out of town, but have just lived with what I had at home.  I would use one of those "daylight" bulbs in my regular lamp. Finally decided to give in and get a 24-watt light to help me see.  Gee, can you see the difference?  LOL

                         

Have I used the lamp?  Nope.  I would need to stay awake for that!  LOL  I am AGAIN hoping that I will get in some weekend stitching.

I am off like a herd a turtles.  One more cup of coffee and I will be caffeined up for the day.  LOL

Wishing each of you a wonderful weekend.  Be kind to one another.

6 comments:

  1. Love your aquarium and can't believe how large those algae eaters are! There is something calming about aquariums I find. Now about that light...an Ottite? I've never heard of it. Is it for stitching? Amazing difference light wise to your space; and I could use a new one too. I use a very old little light from Ikea.
    Love how you write funny, Angela. Always a smile when I read your posts.

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    1. Good morning, Jocelyn. Ottlites are sold as "craft" lights. They come in different intensities and have what I consider natural light...less yellow, more clear and bright. I got a small light for traveling, but I have to sit close to eat and it does warm up a bit. LOL The large one I showed is a floor lamp, so it's not quite so close. I've made do with the "natural" bulbs for a while, but I found this one on Ebay at about 1/2 price, so I figured it was time. I know that Amazon, Joanne's, and Michaels all sell Ottlites. Some have magnifiers attached, but I like my cheater glasses. If you have the magnifier, you have to be careful to keep it covered if it is next to a window. If the sun hits it just right, it can start a fire.

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  2. Wow, those are big fish. This may be a dumb question but won't they eat the little guys?

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    1. Good morning, Kim. They just eat algae. They are a kind of catfish. And funny enough, the bigger they get, the less algae they eat!! I have to put algae pellets in the tank. LOL

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  3. How old are your algae eaters that you are emotionally attached to? ;)
    We had Mickey Mouse Platys when the kids were little. A lot of fun when the babies are born.

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    1. Good morning, Vickie. Well, I have had one for about 20 years. It lived with turtle for 17 years...I had two that were given to me about 8 years ago because my friend was shutting down his tanks. They were at least 10 when he gave them to me. I lost one about a year ago, but I'm not sure which one. I have one MM Platy. I started with four...three didn't make it....I was sad, but I'm hoping that the MM I have left will breed with the reds and the sunsets...then I'll have SPECIAL platys. LOL I got six more last week, more reds and the sunsets and they all made it!!

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