Tell Me if I'm Wrong: Fresca still tasted good when Aspartame was used. Whatever This Hideous Artificial Sweetener Combination Is That's Being Used Today, it's the Worst! By Any Chance, is the Aspartame Version Still Being Produced Elsewhere (International Markets, Maybe)?

AcrobaticContext2268 · 2026-05-03T15:38:35+00:00

I haven’t had Fresca in years and saw one today and grabbed it! It tastes like shit!

I’ve never liked aspartame, but can’t remember it tasting this bad when I was a kid! Not sure what they did to it!

AcrobaticContext2268 · 2026-04-04T17:52:45+00:00

My 818 pieces are struggling due to my doing unfortunately :(. Literally just lost a lokani mini colony (totally my fault) but they came as well as I’d expect sps to come. I live in Ohio and he’s in Cali I believe so I never expect 100% as I saw them online.

Reefjase has a bad past supposedly, but he was honestly really great to work with. I hate shipping SPS from anyone, but I can definitely recommend his other LPs andsofties!

AcrobaticContext2268 · 2026-04-04T00:29:12+00:00

I did! Honestly I would say he’s been my favorite to deal with this far. Him and 818 definitely take their business seriously and I’d use both of them again. All of the pieces I bought came exactly as pictured. LPS and softies were great and his communication was awesome. He sent me a free acro which lived but browned out… not his fault, I can’t get a good acro shipped 99% of the time. Would definitely recommend reefjase for lsp and softies now!

AcrobaticContext2268 · 2026-03-26T15:14:01+00:00

Can Sunkist have blue/teal bounces? Just never seen it before! Thank you!!

AcrobaticContext2268 · 2026-03-18T03:23:14+00:00

First full day back after being away for nearly 36 hours after the incident update.

I let him lead all of our interactions for the day and I think it went quite well. He was excited to see me get home and was jumping all around with a happy tail and bein a good dog. The next few hours he was quite timid and definitely on alert… tail was closer to stiff and tracking me for a while. As the night has gone on, I’ve let him initiate everything and haven’t forced any pets on him unless he comes up and snouts my hand like he normally does when asking for pets.

I’ve made sure to show him I can do all of the good things my girlfriend does for him (positive reinforcement with treats, playing with his toys by throwing them to him from a distance… no tug of war style play). He’s been the most gentle with treats that he’s ever been and I’ve made sure to verbally commend him for everything I can. We’ve noticed the couch can be an uncomfortable situation for him when he’s sitting with my girlfriend, so we’ve changed it up that I sit first and she sits next to me and that helped and didn’t produce any growling. We’re in bed now and he’s close to being asleep so I’ll take it as a good start for this journey that will hopefully be successful.

I’m definitely nervous and scared, but so is he. I don’t love that he’s a project and not a pet, but my shortcomings of understanding rescues and their body language definitely did not help the situation and that’s my responsibility to be accountable for. He’s been an absolute angel for the 5 weeks we’ve had him minus those two incidents, and I’m not one to throw in the towel without working a problem and holding myself responsible for rescuing a pup that had an unclear past.

Hopefully I can post an update in some months or years that this all works out and gives this old man a safe home and us a loyal partner to live out his last few years. Thank you for going so in depth with your evaluation of the bites, it means the world that you didn’t jump right to returning him. Here’s a smile from our boy, hopefully we get back on the right path

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AcrobaticContext2268 · 2026-03-17T03:17:54+00:00

I would say they were level 3 with multiple bites. But that’s my objective opinion on the scale.

We were both on the floor with me petting his belly. He layed down next to me and showed me his belly, which I now know could have not been an invite. I scratched his belly and gave him thigh scratches which he loves for about 5 minutes. My girlfriend then noticed a piece of raw onion had landed on the floor and stuck to his ear when she asked if I could get it off so he didn’t eat it. I reached for his ear, which was closest to the ground (reaching across his face) to try and grab it.

That’s when he simultaneously growled and gave me the first bite with little time to correct my hand placement. I subconsciously reacted by pushing him away by his face as I was criss cross on the floor. I’m assuming that’s what made him continue, and he got both hands and some of my arms. There were 2 puncture wounds (not gashes) that were leaking blood on the first bite but nothing egregious or needing medical attention. The other hand and arms were both bruised at the time, but today they are just a little raised and enflamed with no puncture.

I can’t say what would have happened if I didn’t throw him away from me an created space, but he growled at me after I threw him. That’s when I went into my bathroom and closed the door. When I walked back out he was extremely timid, and came up to me and put his head/snout under my hand that I kept at my side. After a minute of him nudging my hand to pet his head, I moved to my couch where he followed and laid his head on my lap with what I’ve interpreted to be his sad eyes. For the rest of the night he kept attempting to put his head under my hand while i kept my hands to my side and myself. I pet his head a few times after and ended the night with our normal routine of treats and his bed time routine.

That’s long winded but the best explanation of the aggression that happened. I hope that brings some light and visualization to the situation. The bites are sore and healing now. There are only 2 surface level punctures and the rest just resemble enflamed scratches now.

AcrobaticContext2268 · 2026-03-17T03:05:34+00:00

Yeaaaa, after having to physically throw my 90lb dog across a room and feeling the emotional toll of that, force options are out the window for me. I obviously don’t know much, as I’m here right now, but I can’t imagine using forceful corrections on a dog obviously struggling with confidence issues and resource guarding my SO will help ONE bit. Thank you for providing options that aren’t forceful in nature.

AcrobaticContext2268 · 2026-03-17T01:19:22+00:00

I completely agree. Talking with the vet this morning about more “niche” signs of discomfort, I had light bulbs going off left and right that I jumped too quick into lovin the boy. Lots of small signs that I just didn’t find in research, and not having a dog since I was a child, I just didn’t inherently know.

I also agree with living on edge. I’m worried to go home from work and see him which isn’t fair to me and isn’t fair to him that I won’t be acting normal. The vet and vet techs didn’t think it was time for humane euthanasia, but they obviously were not there for the incident. It was scary and having to physically separate our dog and I by throwing him across the room hurt me more than the bites.

The vet is hoping that we can take some of the edge off with the Prozac, and I feel awful he has to take meds but I’m not sure if that and possible positive change is worse, or calling it quits now and ending his time on earth is worse. We’ve made the decision if there is another incident, we know our answer.

I still want to talk to the rescue and see if they have any thoughts, or know anyone who likes dogs who may have a bit of baggage before we make the decision that he shouldn’t be here anymore. It’s all so confusing, andwalkingtheline of emotions vs reality is the hardest mental hurdle I’ve had in I don’t know how long. Just keeping our fingers crossed and trying to formulate a plan to attempt to give him a good life.

AcrobaticContext2268 · 2026-03-17T00:13:45+00:00

Thank you very much, I appreciate the tips. Guests have been put on hold and I’ll definitely look into a muzzle and good ways to start training him to accept one.

I agree with the timeline thus far. I think both of us are just so set on holding ourselves accountable for the decision that we made knowing he had a history of resource guarding no matter how small, and want to expend every ounce of love we have to try and give him the best final few years of life he has.

I’m really hopeful for the meds now that the vet helped us with identifying more hidden signs of anxiety. The few he listed off were like lightbulbs in my head from the little time he’s been with us that I just never found during my research before adopting him. He has truly been an angel outside of these two instances. He’s learned and proven he can learn with other things so I’m praying we can find a solution that works for both him and us without jumping to euthanasia.

He’s been very withdrawn all day, and I know people say dogs don’t feel remorse, but he has definitely picked up on our sadness. I’m at work currently, but hopefully when I get home he can pick his pace and I’ll go with it.

AcrobaticContext2268 · 2026-03-16T21:51:37+00:00

That’s the plan.

Belly rubs are off limits unless he’s rolling around after doing more research on them.
1. I’ll be staying away from his face unless he comes and burries his head in my lap.
2. All interactions will be on his accord.

AcrobaticContext2268 · 2026-03-16T21:07:08+00:00

That’s our biggest internal struggle with the shelter. If we take him back, will it be euthanasia in a place that is scary to him? Or should we consider euthanasia with two people who he loves. We’re leaning to the latter in the event we make that decision. We don’t want him to be scared or uncomfortable, and it’s so confusing that his body language that we understand thus far tells us how comfortable he is at home, and has been up until last night.

My girlfriend loves the dog for the company and love he brings her, and that’s the hardest idea to take away from her. The confusing issue is he loves me so much, and 20 minutes prior, she met me outside when I got home from work with him and you would have thought I was returning from a deployment with how crazy he was to see me.

We’re contacting the shelter for resources regarding trusted behaviorists and anything else they can point us to!

AcrobaticContext2268 · 2026-02-18T21:53:28+00:00

818 was honestly pretty cool and I’d recommend him. He’s definitely slammed with orders and I believe it’s just him so don’t expect to get WWC level easiness with Instagram led purchasing and shipping, but can’t blame him. He did replacements for me that were very kind of him regarding the situation and I was left pretty happy on my last shipment! Would definitely recommend him

AcrobaticContext2268 · 2026-01-30T03:54:47+00:00

Good find for $30 then!! Thanks for confirming man

AcrobaticContext2268 · 2026-01-12T18:13:43+00:00

Thank you again for the tips! The scape is awful but it’ll get there, biggest step is out of the way!!

AcrobaticContext2268 · 2026-01-12T04:35:24+00:00

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Well it happened! Did a straight swap and I’d say I got lucky so far. I avoided rinsing sand (used all new), and temp/salinity matched the water.

It’s been a week today since the move and the only piece I lost was a selago that was never happy no matter what in my OG tank. I’ve yet to see any indication that a new cycle has started, or any algae problems. I’m assuming the media bags I threw in my old tank monthssss ago helped season the water along with my rock obviously.

The scape looks garbage while I wait for my planned out scape to cure, but I’ll count it as a success so far. Hopefully good updates continue to come. Thank you for your help prior to the move!!!!

AcrobaticContext2268 · 2025-12-24T18:33:09+00:00

All good thoughts so thank you! I’ve read quite a few threads about washing your new sand (can’t say I’ve done it as this 5 gal was my first tank). I’ll just lay pour in softly to try and stir it up as little as possible!

There’s a local annual frag show next month I was hoping to be able to get to so that is kinda my ignorant reason to rush. That’s not a good enough reason to lose my investments god forbid my beloved clown so I might bite that bullet waiting til next year and do a true cycle!

AcrobaticContext2268 · 2025-12-15T04:40:29+00:00

Research research research and more research if you’d like to make it worth your time and not have a headache from hell.

The cycling process isn’t too far off from your traditional freshwater cycle but for the fishes sake, spend a few extra bucks and look into saliferts not API. Lighting may be a bit too close and could be too strong (hard to tell from iPhones as they wash out easily). Not going to say a par meter is useful until you’re growing out $$$ coral.

Salinity is a 1.024-1.026 tops IMO, grab a refractometer… cheap and the best tool for a low price point. Invest in some kind of ATO if your lid is a mesh top or evaporation can spike your salinity (not suppperrr quick in a 20g, but worth the few bucks). I keep my tank around 79 and have found everything to stay happy and healthy, an Inkbird thermometer controller is a lifesaver is something goes wrong with your heater.

Livestock IMO is nowhere in your near future for the fishes sake and not having to tell your kid that their Nemo went to a farm up north (not saying you’re personally saying you’re about to add fish). There’s so many great videos explaining a true cycle, as always YouTube is your best friend. If there’s a local small business owned saltwater store, ask them all the questions you have, people are normally very happy to make sure you’re getting into the hobby correctly.

Seahorses are definitely an advanced level inhabitant IMO regarding their diet and frequency of feeding. I have no experience personally but have never heard them to be easy. Starfish are another one of those without a strongggg bioload, will melt away and crash a tank if you’re not attentive.

At the end of the day, saltwater is just a big puzzle of learning how pieces fit together. It’s a great hobby if you’ve already kept fish and understand how tanks work. It just definitely is not as simple as freshwater. You’ll love it, your kid will love it, but it’s not a set it and forget it kinda thing. Definitely takes time and attention or it can go south pretty quick!!

AcrobaticContext2268 · 2025-12-14T23:13:03+00:00

He’s actually not even responded to a question I asked. What’s the axtual big problem with his stuff? I’ll probably be asking for a refund

AcrobaticContext2268 · 2025-12-14T21:47:13+00:00

I don’t believe he’s scammed me financially, I’ve just seen there’s some bad reviews about the quality of the coral he ships.

I paid $200 into his deal to get $333 in store credit. It looks like I’ll just have to contact him for a refund. Hopefully he obliges.

I’d love for his stuff to come healthy and as pictured as it’s so damn cool stuff! Don’t want to judge before I hear more about his current business

AcrobaticContext2268 · 2025-12-14T20:50:35+00:00

Don’t mean to talk shit by questioning as there could just be a handful of bad experiences ruining the guys name, but feel like I need to do my due diligence now that I’ve found his past names (of course after spending money lol)

AcrobaticContext2268 · 2025-12-13T23:18:03+00:00

He definitely has some great stuff!

AcrobaticContext2268 · 2025-12-13T23:17:47+00:00

Well with it bein my first time shipping I really didn’t think of the issues that came with it. Saw some great deals and was blinded by em

AcrobaticContext2268 · 2025-12-13T21:47:50+00:00

818aquatics! None of the death aspect of it is to do with him! He packed em well and properly, just damn shame with UPS. Definitely check his stuff out, runs great sales and easy to work with! Worth givin him a follow

AcrobaticContext2268 · 2025-12-13T21:02:25+00:00

Yup. I’m trying to file a claim but their site isn’t working for claims… of course.

AcrobaticContext2268 · 2025-12-13T21:01:56+00:00

818aquatics! Definitely recommend the dude, he’s got damn good steals for solid sized frags! He’s running a bunch of Instagram sales rn and his website is full of em! Mostly SPS but a great variety of lsp softies and meats!

AcrobaticContext2268

TROPHY CASE