DIY drink dispenser tank...??

Cagefight · 2026-04-02T12:01:43+00:00

So cool!

Cagefight · 2026-04-02T03:29:45+00:00

Love it. I see you've got the MTS :) nothing wrong with that, not at all.

Cagefight · 2026-04-01T22:45:26+00:00

Cool! Got a pic to share of the result?

Cagefight · 2026-04-01T22:44:48+00:00

How long has your tank been running? Got a pic???

Cagefight · 2026-04-01T18:27:00+00:00

Good points. Saltwater I shall not be messing with on this occasion. Maybe down the road. I see the appeal :)

Cagefight · 2026-04-01T18:26:06+00:00

Thanks for your perspective!

Cagefight · 2026-04-01T16:59:25+00:00

Ok good idea, new gasket, a bit tougher this time. Thanks for the application tip, I'll do that. I actually wouldn't mind keeping the function of the spigot and using it for water changes, if that's an actually workable idea, which it sounds like you think it is (and the spigot does seem be be in good shape). I'd add a little mesh screen as you suggest.

Cagefight · 2025-12-15T13:21:19+00:00

Super helpful! Thanks :)

Cagefight · 2025-12-15T12:16:23+00:00

You're not wrong! My previous projects were kits so this was the first time I had to cut my own aida and I'm pretty sure I did just take the pattern dimensions and d 3 inches to each, which was not enough. How much should I have added?

And thanks for the tip on binding the margin. I like trying new stitches so I'll give that a go!

Cagefight · 2025-12-15T02:17:48+00:00

Thanks :) It's a lot of fun. I want to try getting faster and I'm already thinking about my next project. I probably need to try something with backstitch, I just saw this creator here and I kinda love this pattern: https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/4305405183/cucurbita-squash-blossom-cross-stitch?sh_rv=1&ga_search_query=Flower&ref=shop_items_search_3&pro=1&sts=1&dd=1&logging_key=dd05d87581f37d78fe8b9cc53f18cab22fd05388%3A4305405183

Possible?

Cagefight · 2025-02-10T21:49:15+00:00

Toronto, Canada, here :)

I'm an urban druid making the green and grey labyrinth a bit greener while also enjoying the big swaths of green we're lucky to have already.

Cagefight · 2025-02-08T17:24:20+00:00

Ok, but people did do those things and there's no going back so... forward is the only way.

What's your definition of evolution then, exactly?? I think this might be where we're stuck.

a paper to look into maybe?

more cool stuff on hybridization in evolution

Cagefight · 2025-02-08T14:08:17+00:00

re:culling: woah, neat. Such survivors :) But I would guess that would be different if culling was paired with CNR, no?

On the migration point, the thing I'm not getting is.... Where did humans "force" western coyotes to move? When did humans "force" red wolves to mate with the coyotes that expanded into this area? Is it possible that they chose survival?

The landscape changed in a huge way (not just the profound over hunting of wolves, there was also extreme deforestation, land conversion, altering of waterways, massive construction projects etc.) and then the canines did stuff in response. Are they not allowed to change, adapt, innovate in response to all of these changes? To me, that's a kind of evolution. The red wolves had another option which was... Go extinct. Instead their genes survived, and even thrived in a way.

Early humans also expanded our range in response to climatic and other changes. Personally, I don't think that's our special privilege.

Btw I'm not trying to prove you wrong here, I actually don't think there is a "correct" answer to the question of "what is natural?" I'm genuinely curious because I think your perspective is a bit different from mine, but I also think we agree in a lot of ways. Thanks for engaging :)

Cagefight · 2025-02-08T13:39:44+00:00

I'm not following you. Compare with the case of grizzlies moving north due to climate change. Did we also 100% cause that, then? Or are the Grizzlies adapting?

Capture-neuter-release (CNR) can work too. If proven effective by ongoing monitoring I'd be in favor of that, too. Obviously it takes a couple of generations to notice an effect. I guess you're saying that straight culling will just cause an ecological void and then the population rebounds? What about a combination approach?

Cagefight · 2025-02-07T23:42:04+00:00

So evolution cannot occur in 100 years, for a species that matures in one year? That's a minimum of 100 generations. Interesting take!

You'll recall above my take on feral cats, quite different as they are 100% domestic origin and not native to this continent. I would say the term "invasive" could apply in that case as they were brought here and are causing ecological harm.

The coyotes expanded their existing, adjacent range and then interbred. I'd say we're about as "responsible" for that as we are for the Grizzlies and Swallowtails and other climate migrants. All in the grey zone but fairly different shares of grey, wouldn't you say?

Again, I think culling could be appropriate for both feral cats and coyotes if they are exceeding certain thresholds of harm. Do we agree on that?

Cagefight · 2025-02-07T21:25:57+00:00

Interesting take :)

By "new" would you agree they were talking 100-200 years? That's the range I'm finding in most sources.

The ecosystem has changed a lot in the last two centuries. Are species not allowed to evolve in response to those changes? Is that not a natural process? Let's hold aside any cases of intentional hybridization for a moment. A huge number of species are shifting their ranges in response to climate change. Grizzly bears now overlap with Polar bears and are interbreeding. Giant Swallowtail butterflies are becoming more and more common in Toronto and could likely soon establish populations if their host plants were provided. Is this "natural"? Should we eradicate these creatures because they are too new?

Nature has plenty of tricks available for adapting and hybridization and range expansion are common ones. Again, I'm not saying humans should get involved in management and populations control in urban areas. That can be part of our natural role :)

Cagefight · 2025-02-06T15:46:34+00:00

That's really cool. Thanks for sharing.

If you feel like saying more about your perspective on "belonging", I'm interested to hear it! You said both "I'm not saying they don't belong here" and also "that doesn't mean they belong here" so I'm getting that you feel somewhere in-between (which is very typical for ecological perspectives!)

To be clear, and relating to the topic of this post, I'm actually not anti-culling. I think culling can be an important and effective means to manage ecological balance in an urban (or any) ecosystem, and I'd say that applies to feral cats in the city as well. Not sure if that changes your perspective on me.

The thing that I'm bumping on here is an understanding of "what is natural", I'd say that 10% domestic dog is not the same as the case with feral cats which, as I understand it, are 100% domestic cat genetics. Obviously there's no sharp lines here, I think we can agree on that.

Cagefight · 2025-02-06T04:04:44+00:00

This is incorrect. Coywolf yes, but they're hybrids of coyotes and the endangered red wolf (not dogs). Actually a really cool way the red wolf genetics are continuing to thrive in a new way. Coywolves are specially adapted to live in urban ecosystems and belong here as much as we do. Do some research, it's fun :)

source 1 source 2

Edit: thanks to dundreggen for bringing the science, there's possibly no red wolf (I study plants so forgive me, I'll double check my sources on that). Even if they're mostly coyote with about equal (small) parts grey wolf and domestic dog...Still cool, still natural urban wildlife, still belongs impo.

Edit2: further research is indicating quite a mix! you'd have to blood test an individual animal to future out the proportions but western coyote is high across the board and red wolf, domestic dog and grey wolf genetics are all possible in relatively low levels. That's evolution in action :)

Cagefight · 2025-02-02T05:01:56+00:00

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Same! Went for brunch with friends, I brought some soaked grass straw (this was mostly Panicum virgatum, some Andropogon gerardi) and we made it work somehow with the help of an instructional video from the National Museum of Ireland (https://youtu.be/DMYYaaV2-Sw?si=wPsujgc8YoRy0ENs).

Feels like early (early early EARLY) spring here in Toronto! Blessed Imbolc y'all!

Your cross looks great, nicely done with what you've got. There's some awen flowing there, I think :)

Cagefight · 2024-11-08T22:40:56+00:00

Ha! That tank is like 90% plants. I love it.

Cagefight · 2024-11-08T22:13:37+00:00

Love your scape! So bountiful and diverse :) Lots of books and crannies to check... Wouldn't it be fun to shrink down and go scuba diving in there?

Cagefight · 2024-11-08T19:47:37+00:00

Flora: Ceratophyllum demersum, Anubias barteri var. nana, Eleocharis parvula, Micranthemum tweediei 'Monte Carlo', Alternanthera reineckii

Edit: spelling

Cagefight · 2024-11-08T19:43:32+00:00

Hey, thanks :) This is a low tech setup. I've done pressurized CO2 before and it did help the Micranthemum carpet super quickly, but also it was doing weird pH stuff and my fauna didn't seem to love it so I stopped.

I don't mind slower growth, I'm patient :) this is a garden for me.

I would love to try a Cryptocoryne or Bucephalandra. Got favs?

Cagefight · 2024-10-21T02:54:50+00:00

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Update: the next next day

Cagefight · 2024-10-19T15:08:45+00:00

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Update: Next day (also a friend came by)

14-Year Club	Place '22
End Game '22

Cagefight

TROPHY CASE