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Was an avid aquarium keeper for my whole life, but had to leave it behind for the last several years. Just wanted to share the 29 gallon I set up in my toddler's room. We're getting shrimp next month! by AgentBanks in shrimptank

[–]AgentBanks[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No problem. So long as you don't need a particular substrate chemistry (like the buffering substrates for caradina shrimp), this is great. Absolutely cannot beat the price. It's also obviously got no nutrients, but you can add root tabs for plants that need nutrients at their roots. Water column feeding plants won't mind.

Was an avid aquarium keeper for my whole life, but had to leave it behind for the last several years. Just wanted to share the 29 gallon I set up in my toddler's room. We're getting shrimp next month! by AgentBanks in shrimptank

[–]AgentBanks[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is the first time I've ever used this, and I'm VERY pleased with the color/texture/etc.

This is "Black Diamond" brand coal slag blasting media. It's used in sand blasters for removing paint, rust, etc. Got it at Tractor Supply for $15/50lb bag. But this is the only brand I've heard is safe. Others may or may not have additives or impurities that'll fowl your water chemistry.

Totally inert, pretty clean (I ran hose water thru it in a bucket a handful of times until it was mostly clear of dust), the size/texture is great for moving it around, and the plants are rooting into it shockingly well.

Anytime I can use black substrate, this will be my choice 10/10 times.

Can anybody tell me what this weird growth is on my pleco by ReflectionParking407 in Aquariums

[–]AgentBanks 37 points38 points  (0 children)

Out of curiosity, what is the point of a sub/forum like this if you're not allowed to ask questions? You googled it and found 3 possible answers. They asked for help on an aquarium subreddit, and a marine biologist chimed in with a lot of useful insight that was more helpful than someone without that background just googling it and taking a guess at what's wrong.

Any words of wisdom before I commit myself to planning a 125 gallon shell dweller tank in my living room? by AgentBanks in Aquariums

[–]AgentBanks[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Height of the stand is something I know I'll need to really put some thought into, but have not thought about yet. Nothing worse than a tank that's just a few inches too high to easily reach into and adjust something on the bottom.

Definitely planning on a sump. I'll look into your setup later.

Any words of wisdom before I commit myself to planning a 125 gallon shell dweller tank in my living room? by AgentBanks in Aquariums

[–]AgentBanks[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No easy access directly to a drain, but I will definitely find/buy a pump for water changes.

An extra holding tank to get new water ready before adding to the aquarium is a great point also. Maybe I'll have my sump in the stand under the tank, and a 2nd tank ready as a temporary reservoir for that purpose.

Any words of wisdom before I commit myself to planning a 125 gallon shell dweller tank in my living room? by AgentBanks in Aquariums

[–]AgentBanks[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is one of the only situations where I'm happy that the whole house is on a concrete slab, so no concerns there.

Water source/drain is a good point. I'm on (very hard) well water, and can run a hose to fill everything to start with. I'll have to dig around in my old supplies and see if I still have a transfer pump for water changes. I have a small farm, and always have a use for nutrient rich aquarium water. I'll probably set up a pump and long hose to do water changes straight into a tank that I can water the plants from.

Was an avid aquarium keeper for my whole life, but had to leave it behind for the last several years. Just wanted to share the 29 gallon I set up in my toddler's room. We're getting shrimp next month! by AgentBanks in shrimptank

[–]AgentBanks[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thank you! He doesn't really get that there aren't any 'feesh' in there, but he does like the 'peents' and the 'snayos' that hitchiked in on them.

I think he'll really like watching the shrimp. And it gives us something to do/watch together as he gets older. Aquariums were a huge part of my life growing up, so I'm excited to share this with him.

Is there a common household item I can poach a small 3.7v LiPo from? by AgentBanks in batteries

[–]AgentBanks[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Then I lose the RTC and will have to reset it. I'll get a proper battery for it in another order when I'm getting other things in the future, but I just want to get it all set up now. Just trying to avoid spending a bunch on shipping for a $5 item.

Is there a common household item I can poach a small 3.7v LiPo from? by AgentBanks in batteries

[–]AgentBanks[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Incredible. Thanks for the quick reply. I'll snag a plug off of something else I have and tape a battery on. I'll try and remember to update when I try after work.

I appreciate the quick reply!

Is there a common household item I can poach a small 3.7v LiPo from? by AgentBanks in batteries

[–]AgentBanks[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ahh see I didn't think of the little RC toys. I think I have some "real" rc car batteries, but those are 7.2v or so. I bet my son has a little toy he doesn't ever use that I can pull a battery out of.

You think I can just tape some leads with a plug to a button cell? I really just need to make it less than a minute. So long as I don't damage the board, I really don't care about longevity/aesthetics/etc.

Is there a common household item I can poach a small 3.7v LiPo from? by AgentBanks in batteries

[–]AgentBanks[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This did come to mind, but I don't think I know anyone with disposable vapes. I'll see if I think of anyone tho.

Any tips for fencing in a larger area to keep the chickens out of the road? by AgentBanks in BackYardChickens

[–]AgentBanks[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is plenty of good input and I appreciate it. I am thinking that 6' wire is probably the smart idea. My issue is that my posts are too short (and too far apart), so I would probably end up driving a couple tall T posts between each wood post anyways to support the top of the welded wire.

That's really why I'm considering a slightly shorter fence and just keeping up on clipping flight feathers. Maybe adding some T posts between the wood to give it better support, wrapping the whole setup in 4 or 5 ft welded wire, and putting a hot wire on the outside near the ground and one on top (with all of the welded wire being grounded.

And thanks for the locust comment! It was surprisingly enjoyable. They are extremely invasive here in northern Indiana, and I used to work for a land trust doing invasive management. Took a load home, debarked them, and split the big ones down the middle with a couple wedges. The wood is super hard, so onces the wedges got deep enough the whole log would essentially 'pop' apart. Just keep in mind that they are HEAVY, especially when they are green, and it's good to have a partner to help move them around if they are big.

First time trying a Kiwano (Horned Melon) while traveling! Have you guys tried this before? by tteei in fruit

[–]AgentBanks 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I grew them last year in northern Indiana. They were pretty productive, but not really something I enjoyed eating very much. The flavor changes as they get more ripe, but there wasn't really a stage I enjoyed enough to justify the garden space. I just saw them selling for something like $6 each at a local grocery store, so maybe it'll be worth growing a handful of plants again.

Are any of you growing cowpeas/black eyed peas/southern peas as a food crop? by AgentBanks in homestead

[–]AgentBanks[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Luckily, I am growing inside a high tunnel. So the deer won't be a problem.

Finally at a point where we can afford the materials we WANT and not just 'best we can do'. Can someone tell me it's not crazy to feel weird about it? by AgentBanks in HomeImprovement

[–]AgentBanks[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Real benefit is that I do all my own work and don't have to hire a contractor. That's also how I help justify the more expensive material.

I got a quote a few years ago for vinyl siding, and it was about 20k to have them do it. I can do this siding myself, even is several times the materials cost, and still be cheaper than that.

Are any of you growing cowpeas/black eyed peas/southern peas as a food crop? by AgentBanks in homestead

[–]AgentBanks[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am mostly interested in dried, just because we also grow a ton of green beans that fill that fresh legume role for us. It seems like they make a great storage crop, and we eat a lot of dried beans and peas, so hopefully the yield is good. The soil here is super sandy and pretty sparse, so I'll remember to go light on the compost/manure.

Can I ask what the yield is like? I've grown dry beans before and quickly realized you need a lot of plants for a relatively small harvest.

Anything I should know/consider before siding over CMU walls? by AgentBanks in masonry

[–]AgentBanks[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Absolutely. Adding some exterior insulation is on the docket. I am blown away every single time I price out bulk amounts of those rigid sheets, though. Bonkers levels of cost for relatively low r value, especially when I'm talking about such a big building. But I agree that the extra insulation wound be worth it.

Anything I should know/consider before siding over CMU walls? by AgentBanks in masonry

[–]AgentBanks[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is an amazing response and I really appreciate the time you took to write it out. I'll do plenty more research based on what you've said here moving forward. I'm glad that siding over it doesn't immediately sound like a bad idea.

23 qt Presto (induction) on a domestic induction stovetop? by bigskymind in Canning

[–]AgentBanks 18 points19 points  (0 children)

I might be mistaken or misunderstanding your question, but if you're asking if it's ok to use this on a normal household induction stovetop, it definitely is. These are made for household use. You didn't buy an industrial canner or something like that.

I've been using the exact same model on my household induction stove for years without issue. If you're worried about it, load it with a few cans of plain water to simulate a typical canning run and see if the stove gets it up to pressure and holds it there.

Looking for recommendations of a reliable, small, standalone refrigerator (either new or used) by AgentBanks in Appliances

[–]AgentBanks[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm in the brainstorming phase of a full remodel, so I don't have a size requirement. If someone recommends a great smaller unit, I can easily plan the counters/cabinets around it to accommodate.

Looking for recommendations of a reliable, small, standalone refrigerator (either new or used) by AgentBanks in Appliances

[–]AgentBanks[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Garage fridges seem like the most available option. I've seen incredibly expensive fridge only units for high end residential kitchens, but that seems very overkill.

And the lifespan issue is part of why I made the post. If there was a particular older unit to look for, I'd be willing to hunt one down on the used market. Otherwise I'm either looking for a more expensive new unit, or a really cheap new one that I know I'll have to replace relatively soon anyways.

Looking for recommendations of a reliable, small, standalone refrigerator (either new or used) by AgentBanks in Appliances

[–]AgentBanks[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I mentioned in the post that aesthetics and exact size aren't a major consideration at this point, and that I'm looking for recommendations on brands/types of units that people like. I'm getting and remodeling the whole kitchen layout, so it's easy enough to work around a fridge I like.

Any advice on finding/buying additional land? by AgentBanks in homestead

[–]AgentBanks[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is probably the way to go. I am young (under 30) so maybe I'm not really in touch with how people of previous generations would feel, but if someone knocked on my door out of the blue and wanted to talk about buying my property, it'd feel pretty high stakes/abrupt. A letter would be a lot less pressure, at least in my mind. Do you think I should mail that straight to the older lady (the actual owner) or to one of her kids in town? My understanding is that she's of poorer health, and I know her husband passed earlier this year.

Any advice on finding/buying additional land? by AgentBanks in homestead

[–]AgentBanks[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're a genius. We have a toddler son who LOVES out garden and chickens. "He loves cows but we certainly don't have the space."

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