Taking the Plunge

[maroun.c]

Tank looks a lot better Schwe.
Hopefully you won't have to deal with the alga issue again.
Did you identify a change you made that caused this improvement or was it just taking out as much alga as yo ucan and trying to decrease nutrients that finally worked things out?
any plans for new additions now that yo ugot rid of the alga and anemone stress?

[Taqpol]

Wow, the tank looks so much better without all the fuzzies on the back glass. Do you know what cause the algae to grow in the sump in the first place?

Completely off topic, I finally decided on what I'm doing for graduate schooling and have found a very nice apartment in which I hope to be able to stay for at least six years and while I'm there I plan on upgrading my tank. I was just curious as to your opinion on the differences between a 75 gallon and a 90 gallon tank. They're the same dimensions, but the 75 is shallower and as such it seems like it would be easier to light. To space loving fishes (tangs, angels) also need the depth or would a 75 be as good as a 90 for a bristletooth or yellow tang? Basically, what made you go with a 90?

[Schwe]

I got the 90 because it is what I found on craigslist for a great price. The 90 and 75 are the same, as you said. I think that it would be easier to provide high intensity lighting with a shallower tank-- and you won't get your boobs wet reaching into the back of the tank for those cold water snails.

I honestly don't know how the depth affects a Tang... As tank length seems to be the paramount with them. Also, in my opinion, the more water volume, the better. It makes for a more forgiving tank, and as a grad student you wont exactly find yourself with oodles of spare time to dote on your tank.

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by Schwe
I got the 90 because it is what I found on craigslist for a great price. The 90 and 75 are the same, as you said. I think that it would be easier to provide high intensity lighting with a shallower tank-- and you won't get your boobs wet reaching into the back of the tank for those cold water snails.

I honestly don't know how the depth affects a Tang... As tank length seems to be the paramount with them. Also, in my opinion, the more water volume, the better. It makes for a more forgiving tank, and as a grad student you wont exactly find yourself with oodles of spare time to dote on your tank.

tangs need the length more than the width because they are open swimmers in nature and like to make a decent dash across the tank once and awhile
they also like their piece of the rock

[Schwe]

I thought so. Thanks for the conformation, Scott.



I had a terrible back day today. I'm usually the person who is cold in the room, I like my environment a few degrees warmer than most people. And, working in a doctor's office I am ALWAYS cold, and always wear my lab coat to keep me warm. Today I felt like I was having hot flashes (and I'm way too young to be having those!) I was in so much pain. I don't know how I made it through the day.

I had an MRI and x-rays taken Tuesday, but won't get results/meet with the doctor until this upcoming Tuesday. I called the office while I was still at work (they are on the first floor of the building, we are on the third) to see if they could possibly squeeze me in to see the doctor after I get out, but they were apparently way too busy today. I asked for at least some kind of pain killer... The doctor reviewed my MRI and gave me a Rx for Ultram (Tramadol). I don't know how I survived the commute home through stop & go rush hour traffic on the highway. I drive 5MT, so I can't just sit back and tap a pedal to slowly roll forward. I have to constantly shift between 1st and 2nd and use both legs. NOT a fun way to make the crawl back home. I think that if I am diagnosed with anything serious (bulging/herniated disc) I'm going to have to seriously consider hanging up my 5MT reigns and getting an automatic. I just can't handle the driving-- how freaking pathetic is that?

Anyway, I picked up the Rx ASAP on the way home and took it as soon as I walked through our threshold. I lay down on the couch with a pillow under my back and surfed the net on my laptop, researching about this med I was given. (Yes, I'm OCD ) I was starting to get a bit disappointed, thinking this was going to be yet another medicine that doesn't do jack squat for pain relief for me. I then started to notice that I was zoning out a bit while reading, and when Pete asked me a question it took me a few seconds to register what he was saying. Our couch is right next to the fish tank, and the fish were dancing around and begging me for food. I got up to feed them and realized that I was feeling pretty loopy. I fed them and lay back down, put the laptop away and konked out for a few hours. It felt SO good to finally get some rest and relief from my pain. I woke up at about 8:45pm and couldn't believe that I was out for that long! I am just now starting to get a bit of a twinge of pain back, but it is so so much better than pre-Tramadol.

I asked the pharmacist when I picked up the Rx if he thought that it would interfere with work or if I could take it as needed, and he said I should be fine. I hope that my affects today were just because I took the max dose (Rx is for 1-2 pills q6hrs, I took 2) and was in so much pain / was tired from the day, and not a sign of things to come!

Anyway... sorry to ramble about my OT issues, but I just had to get it off my chest. I can't wait for a diagnosis so that I can have a freakin' plan of action, already!

[otrlynn]

Sorry to hear that you have been hurting that bad. Hopefully you will get pain relief with one pill, because it certainly sounds like you should not be driving after taking two. Make sure you're okay to drive before setting off to work tomorrow morning. Hang in there!

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by Schwe
I thought so. Thanks for the conformation, Scott.



I had a terrible back day today. I'm usually the person who is cold in the room, I like my environment a few degrees warmer than most people. And, working in a doctor's office I am ALWAYS cold, and always wear my lab coat to keep me warm. Today I felt like I was having hot flashes (and I'm way too young to be having those!) I was in so much pain. I don't know how I made it through the day.

I had an MRI and x-rays taken Tuesday, but won't get results/meet with the doctor until this upcoming Tuesday. I called the office while I was still at work (they are on the first floor of the building, we are on the third) to see if they could possibly squeeze me in to see the doctor after I get out, but they were apparently way too busy today. I asked for at least some kind of pain killer... The doctor reviewed my MRI and gave me a Rx for Ultram (Tramadol). I don't know how I survived the commute home through stop & go rush hour traffic on the highway. I drive 5MT, so I can't just sit back and tap a pedal to slowly roll forward. I have to constantly shift between 1st and 2nd and use both legs. NOT a fun way to make the crawl back home. I think that if I am diagnosed with anything serious (bulging/herniated disc) I'm going to have to seriously consider hanging up my 5MT reigns and getting an automatic. I just can't handle the driving-- how freaking pathetic is that?

Anyway, I picked up the Rx ASAP on the way home and took it as soon as I walked through our threshold. I lay down on the couch with a pillow under my back and surfed the net on my laptop, researching about this med I was given. (Yes, I'm OCD ) I was starting to get a bit disappointed, thinking this was going to be yet another medicine that doesn't do jack squat for pain relief for me. I then started to notice that I was zoning out a bit while reading, and when Pete asked me a question it took me a few seconds to register what he was saying. Our couch is right next to the fish tank, and the fish were dancing around and begging me for food. I got up to feed them and realized that I was feeling pretty loopy. I fed them and lay back down, put the laptop away and konked out for a few hours. It felt SO good to finally get some rest and relief from my pain. I woke up at about 8:45pm and couldn't believe that I was out for that long! I am just now starting to get a bit of a twinge of pain back, but it is so so much better than pre-Tramadol.

I asked the pharmacist when I picked up the Rx if he thought that it would interfere with work or if I could take it as needed, and he said I should be fine. I hope that my affects today were just because I took the max dose (Rx is for 1-2 pills q6hrs, I took 2) and was in so much pain / was tired from the day, and not a sign of things to come!

Anyway... sorry to ramble about my OT issues, but I just had to get it off my chest. I can't wait for a diagnosis so that I can have a freakin' plan of action, already!

sorry to hear about your back--I can empathize with you having just gotten over a herniated disk---when I was your age I used to be able to stradle a six cylinder engine --undo the motor mounts and bell housing bolts and then lift it out of the car---the guys used to take bets on this---now 30 years later I am paying the price
anyways I am trying to occupy my mind by being on here--an hour ago I went into the fish room to discover that one of our dogs--Fred, a malteese had died in there--only six years old==right now I am trying to type after 3 healthy shots of rye--whisky to you guys---it may numb back pain but not the loss of Fred

[MPeer]

Scott sorry to hear about the little dog. That really is not what you want to see going into the fish room. RIP little guy!

[MPeer]

Schwe - Hope you get better and don't push yourself too hard. I hope those water changes didn't cause you pain. Boy, there is just a run of bad luck on here lately.

[Schwe]

Scott, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Was he sick? Please accept my deepest condolences and pass them along to your wife. Unfortunately, I understand the sudden loss of one of your furry kids all too well. I don't find it coincidental that he made his transition to the rainbow bridge on a place that brings you great joy.

Lesya

[otrlynn]

Scott, my condolences to you and your wife also. Our pets really become part of the family and it hurts to lose them..

[Aquarist007]

thanks everyone--Fred was named after my wife's grandfather who had white hair just like him
His best buddy Sasha, his twin, is really out of sorts already.

Fred was only five---so this is a real shock

Its coincidental but I have been worried about my workout partner Kelsey, even to yesterday afternoon--she is almost 10 and walks are really becoming problematic for her(Kelsey is a yellow Lab)

[maroun.c]

Sorry to hear about your dog Scott, It's always sad to lose our pets.
Schwe if indeed you are having back pains you should seriously consider all advice given to yuo earlier about water changes. Hope your MRI turns out OK

[otrlynn]

Originally posted by capn_hylinur
thanks everyone--Fred was named after my wife's grandfather who had white hair just like him
His best buddy Sasha, his twin, is really out of sorts already.

Fred was only five---so this is a real shock

Its coincidental but I have been worried about my workout partner Kelsey, even to yesterday afternoon--she is almost 10 and walks are really becoming problematic for her(Kelsey is a yellow Lab)

My walking partner was a black Lab named Jake. It was around the age of ten that he could not keep up the pace/distance. Glucosamine/Chondroitin seemed to help with joint pain for a little while. There are other meds for dogs who are developing arthritis, some quite effective. Unfortunately though, these wonderful guys age more quickly than we'd like. In the later years, I had to take him for a short walk, then drop him off at the house and continue on myself. Hang in there.

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by otrlynn
My walking partner was a black Lab named Jake. It was around the age of ten that he could not keep up the pace/distance. Glucosamine/Chondroitin seemed to help with joint pain for a little while. There are other meds for dogs who are developing arthritis, some quite effective. Unfortunately though, these wonderful guys age more quickly than we'd like. In the later years, I had to take him for a short walk, then drop him off at the house and continue on myself. Hang in there.

thanks very much---good advice and its what the vet has told me too
actually the vet added that to keep the weight down on Kelsey to give her two or three short walks a day--it beats her lol'ing around all day and letting her metabolism slip
as for me I will have to increase my work out times at the gym and decrease my time on RC

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by maroun.c
Sorry to hear about your dog Scott, It's always sad to lose our pets.
Schwe if indeed you are having back pains you should seriously consider all advice given to yuo earlier about water changes. Hope your MRI turns out OK

thanks maroun.c I hesitated in posting her since it was not a reef related thing but everyone's thoughts have made this difficult time alot easier.

[raen]

I sure hope Schwe girl is ready for this split. I know I thought I was, thank goodness for a friend who helped a sister out.

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by otrlynn
My walking partner was a black Lab named Jake. It was around the age of ten that he could not keep up the pace/distance. Glucosamine/Chondroitin seemed to help with joint pain for a little while. There are other meds for dogs who are developing arthritis, some quite effective. Unfortunately though, these wonderful guys age more quickly than we'd like. In the later years, I had to take him for a short walk, then drop him off at the house and continue on myself. Hang in there.

Fred has the blue bows (one year ago)


(six months ago--the camera shy one)

[Tswifty]

Originally posted by raen
I sure hope Schwe girl is ready for this split. I know I thought I was, thank goodness for a friend who helped a sister out.

Wow... didn't realize how close... only 6 posts left

[Aquarist007]

nope 5 posts now

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by Schwe
Scott, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Was he sick? Please accept my deepest condolences and pass them along to your wife. Unfortunately, I understand the sudden loss of one of your furry kids all too well. I don't find it coincidental that he made his transition to the rainbow bridge on a place that brings you great joy.

Lesya

"Rainbow bridge" that's the second time in a day I have come across that--where did that saying come from

[kar93]

Figured I should get in on this thread before the split. The tank is looking great, I really like the rockwork.

[Tswifty]

2 more... where's Schwe???

[kar93]

I think somebody might need to swoop in and split it for her.

[JohnL]

This thread was automatically split due to performance issues. You can find the rest of the thread here: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1452657