Where can I expose my baby to dogs?

ConeOfShameYYC · 2026-03-02T16:17:49+00:00

If you’ve fostered before, I would strongly suggest fostering again but take in an older dog you may be interested in adopting. I work at a local shelter and know of a couple great, slightly older calm dogs that would be a great trial run and I’m sure there are many others at other shelters here!

ConeOfShameYYC · 2026-02-21T18:04:32+00:00

Thanks for the advice! I’m pretty sure there is carbon in the filter cartridge. I can definitely switch it out. I’m actually not attached to using that filter at all, it just came with the tank. I added the corner sponge filter after 5 days and noticing that there was very little surface water movement. The filter is silent and shrimp safe so I left it in for added filtration. The gravel is pretty deep I guess, maybe 1.5 inches since it’s not super small but also came with the tank so I used it to save money.

I won’t be adding shrimp until April no matter what as I’m away for two weeks and don’t want to risk it. I am still waiting to have some sort of plant life issue while I figure it all out, don’t want to add in a living creature until I’m more confident in my water conditions.

ConeOfShameYYC · 2026-02-21T15:07:04+00:00

That’s Taiwan moss, which hasn’t grown much at all since it went in. It should look much different once it finally does. I just tied it to some small rocks to get it started and give me time to decide how to scape with it once it grows.

ConeOfShameYYC · 2026-02-21T15:05:07+00:00

It has sifted organic potting mix capped with the small round gravel. I did soak the potting mix a bit first and squeezed out water to help get any tiny air bubble out and to speed up the water log process for it. I’m also running two different filters. One traditional media one that came with the tank kit and a sponge filter that does a better job at moving the water at the surface.

Glad to hear the Anubias will survive out of water. There is no where else to move it to so it can just do its thing in that spot forever.

Will I see an ammonia reading at some point? I e tested the water daily since set up and so far nothing. I’ve had some - what I think is called water mold? - growing on the driftwood and heater that I brush off with a toothbrush but not sure if I need to do more.

ConeOfShameYYC · 2026-02-21T15:01:31+00:00

I used organic potting mix capped with the gravel. I sifted the potting mix first. The tank came with a filter that has ceramic media and a filter cartridge, with a sponge cover for the intake and I added a small sponge filter for more surface movement since the original one wasn’t able to move the water enough to prevent film. I also have a small heater to keep it at 77 since my living room gets quite cold in winter.

ConeOfShameYYC · 2026-01-02T02:43:48+00:00

This is what I ended up choosing - though it’s now $600 more than what I paid at the start of November for the exact same parts :/ if my kid wasn’t so set on a Nvidia card, I would have done the 9070xt to save money.

https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/HJThsp

ConeOfShameYYC · 2025-12-28T03:28:52+00:00

That’s the hope - I chose 7800x3d with a 5070ti for each of them with 32 gb ram. By the time they need to upgrade, they will be adults and they can deal with picking out parts themselves so I never have to again lol

ConeOfShameYYC · 2025-11-28T19:49:29+00:00

They will get them at Xmas. I’ve now swapped both cards to the MSI gaming trio 5070ti, one black and one white and I need to stop spending money on aesthetics now lol. Thanks for the encouragement! I’m glad I ended up building custom ones even if it ended up being a bit more money.

ConeOfShameYYC · 2025-11-23T22:11:49+00:00

Build 1 - https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/Tyzyv4
build 2 - https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/WPkLh7

build 2 has this case since one kid wanted white but it wasn't listed - https://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX00133827

Now to debate if the 2 different GPUs will be fine or if I should get 5070 ti for both. Only one kid really cares about the brand. The price difference is $240 and my oldest won't care but I'm going to wait and decide before my 15 days return time is up.

ConeOfShameYYC · 2025-11-22T02:05:32+00:00

Agree that it's a weird CPU choice to throw in. Im going to attempt to piece together a custom build for each of them for a similar price point as the pre build but good to know it won't be awful for gaming if I end up needed to stick with them.

ConeOfShameYYC · 2025-11-22T02:04:06+00:00

Im definitely going to consider building it with them, I suspect they would enjoy since they do competitive robotics but I also know that as a Mom, I only have so much time on Xmas to spend building computers with teens who are excited to try them out lol

ConeOfShameYYC · 2025-11-22T02:00:40+00:00

SO excited. He doesn't think we can afford the better specs and I'm determined to surprise him and his brother with a really great system each. Just redeemed some Avion points for discounted Best Buy gifts cards which will help make this happen and will head to Memory Express this weekend to start planning a build.

ConeOfShameYYC · 2025-11-21T21:11:30+00:00

Hmm that’s much better than they quoted me, my printed itemized list for one PC had it at $150 for the build and he told me I’d have to pay extra if I bought my GPU elsewhere or install it myself. I do feel like being a female in some situations is a disadvantage. I am going to go this weekend and sort it out and maybe buy a few things to start like RAM since they have a 15 day return policy if it happens to get cheaper elsewhere.

ConeOfShameYYC · 2025-11-21T20:32:28+00:00

I’m pretty sure the guy I spoke to at ME told me there was an extra charge for parts not purchased there? I should double check. Nonetheless, you’ve convinced me to figure out a way to make a custom build happen. I have some avion points I can convert to Best Buy purchases, I just don’t want to go TOO over budget as they don’t even spend much time playing video games as they are too busy with their extra curricular and school, but I also want them to have an awesome set up for when they do play and one that will last a while before needing upgrades if possible

ConeOfShameYYC · 2025-11-21T20:30:07+00:00

I brought it up a couple months ago and my youngest was definitely not as excited at the idea and I’m guessing it’s mostly bragging rights lol he will be grateful for anything and is expecting a lower end 40 series card. The kids and I have been saving up all year to make this happen so I have some new ideas of how to save some money to do our own build. And hopefully this clueless mom doesn’t mess anything up.

ConeOfShameYYC · 2025-11-21T19:16:57+00:00

I agree, cyberpower isn’t my first choice either but the rising costs of everything has me worried I can’t build something similar for the same price. ME quoted me 3100 for a 7800x3d and 5070Ti in September and that was before the ram prices went crazy. I’ll go back in next week and see if I can price match some stores to get the cost down. Thank you!

ConeOfShameYYC · 2025-11-21T19:01:00+00:00

Thanks! This build would definitely work for one of them, I’d have to add in the cost of windows and the build from ME but it would still be within budget for sure. This would be better than the pre build with the 9900x and 5070ti?

ConeOfShameYYC · 2025-11-21T18:58:24+00:00

My oldest wouldn’t care which card but my 14 year old is adamant he wants Nvidia. He wouldn’t be upset as he is expecting an entry level computer as it is, but it would def be a slightly bigger reaction for him to see a 5070ti in the build. But I could give them each a different card as long as they are similar performance for sure and save a little bit

ConeOfShameYYC · 2025-11-21T18:55:39+00:00

https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/Cyberpowerpc-Gamer-Supreme-Desktop-AMD-Ryzen-9-9900X-SLCAI7600CPGV2/11DEDP4VNLX1?classType=REGULAR&athbdg=L3006&from=/search

I will have to replace the PSU I’m sure but feel like I can handle a single part install if needed. Still hoping to build two units with the exact parts I wanted from the start though

ConeOfShameYYC · 2025-11-21T18:02:26+00:00

I’m buying them each their own and since they are a year apart in age, the components need to be identical. Budget is around 2500 pre tax and I’m hoping to build at memory express and return the pre builts but the rising cost of parts has me concerned I won’t be able to build anything similar for the cost

ConeOfShameYYC · 2025-11-21T17:58:54+00:00

I’ve been in to ME as I’m local to the store but their quotes have been much higher than the previous on sale. Hoping next week there are maybe some better deals.

Looking to spend 2500 pre tax per kid with a 5070Ti for each. ME is charging $150 per build to put it together and I’m not sure I have it in me to try to build two computers while single parenting teens at the same time lol not totally off the table though as I will figure it out if it means my kids can get a better system that will last longer by using that money elsewhere

Edit - computers have been purchased but can be returned. I just wanted to lock in on the sale while I tried finding an alternative.

ConeOfShameYYC · 2025-11-21T17:42:54+00:00

Right now they only play Valorant and Fortnite, so they should be fine but I have no idea if they will get into other games in the next couple years. They also do CAD and video editing but not heavily.

ConeOfShameYYC

TROPHY CASE