10 Steps to Set Up Your Freshwater Fish Tank

1) Clean all gravel, plants and decor with water. Avoid using any cleaning products on them.

2) Set up your tank in the ideal location. Remember to avoid directly in front of windows, and the heat from the sun can cause algae to grow at a rapid pace. It can also cause the temperature of the water to fluctuate every day-causing stress on your fish.

3) Set up your filter/pump. Some filters are attached to the side of the tank, while others are placed under the gravel.

4) Add the clean gravel evenly along the bottom of your tank.

5) Put plants and other decorations in the tank, anchoring them with gravel.

6) Fill your tank with water, leaving about an inch of space at the top. Add the necessary conditioners to the water recommended by the fish specialists at your local pet store.

7) Start the filtration system to make sure everything is running smoothly.

8) Install the heater and a thermometer. Speak with the fish specialists to see what temperature your tank will need to be.

9) Let all of the systems run for at least 24 hours. Test the water before adding fish to make sure the pH levels and temperature are correct.

10)Slowly introduce new fish by floating them in their bags for 15-30 minutes.


*Don't forget to check the pH levels and temperature frequently in your tank. These are key to the survival of your fish.

A Fan of Ray Charles!

Check out this dancing bird!

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Keep Kitty Entertained

Ever wonder what your cat does when you are away? Although cats generally sleep up to 18 hours a day, they still need some sort of activity during the hours that they are awake.

Interactive toys such as the "fishing pole" toys are great to play with your cat and keep them active, but they aren't considered safe to leave with your cat while alone.


Try this trick next time you leave your house-take several of your cat's favorite treats and hide them around the house. Cats have a superb sense of smell and should find the treats in no time, so make sure that you choose new places to hide 'em each time you leave. Don't forget to check when you get home that the treats were found!

Stop Digging with Redirecting

Does Fido dig holes all over your yard and garden? Not only is this habit irritating to you, but it can also be dangerous if you happen to step in one of Fido's little holes unknowingly. Reason for digging can include:

-Boredom
-Natural instinct to bury food and toys
-A dog's desire to find a cool spot to relax


So what do dog owners do when they are at their whit's ends over their daffodils and daisies? Build you dog his very own sandbox!

It is simple enough and will satisfy those digging instincts for your pooch.

If your dog is smaller, a child-size sandbox or kiddie pool should be adequate. For larger dogs, you may want to locate a level area in your yard and create a border of the sandbox using 2" x 4" pieces of wood. Nail 4 boards together to create a square/rectangle.

Next, fill the box with playground sand from your local home improvement store. Obviously larger dogs will need more sand and for smaller dogs, probably a few inches of sand will do.

To train your pooch to use the sandbox, start by burying toys and treats within it. Make it a fun activity for him. Chances are that Fido will stop digging up your garden and will learn to love his new sand box instead!

Yet ANOTHER Recall-Hartz Rawhide Chips

NJ company recalls dog food chips

October 17, 2008
SECAUCUS, N.J. - The Hartz Mountain Corporation has voluntarily recalled a specific lot of its Hartz chicken-basted rawhide chips for dogs due to concerns that one or more bags within the lot are potentially contaminated with Salmonella.

The company announced the recall Friday, saying the two-pound plastic bags of chips with lot code JC23282, UPC number 3270096463 were distributed to a national retail customer it did not identify.

Hartz said the normal testing it conducts through an independent outside laboratory did not detect the presence of Salmonella in any of its rawhide products, but sample testing conducted by another laboratory did indicate the presence of the bacteria in a single bag of the chicken-basted rawhide chips.

Salmonella can cause serious infections in dogs and _ if there is cross-contamination caused by handling of the rawhide chips _ in people as well, especially children, the aged, and people with compromised immune systems.


Hartz is investigating the difference in test results and the potential source of the problem. It said there have been no reports of any animals or humans becoming ill.

View article here.

From the ASPCA-Top 10 Human Medicines that Poison our Pets

This is a list that all pet parents should have knowledge of since most of our homes have one or more of these medicines around. Please visit this website for more information about very common medicines and keep it handy. Protect your pets from these, as well as any other medications, at all times!

ASPCA Dangerous Medication List

Our favorite dog parks!

Auggie and Piper LOVE going to the dog park. We tend to take them separately because Piper thinks that other dogs are hurting Auggie when they wrestle and he tries to break it up (although their wrestling is only play). He is always looking out for his brother! :)

For those of you that live in the Alpharetta area, here are a few reviews of the boys' favorite parks.

NEWTOWN PARK
3150 Old Alabama Road
Alpharetta, GA 30022

This is very close to us and is the park we go to most frequently. It isn't huge but still has ample room for pups to play. The grass in the park didn't last long, but they have changed to a more dog-friendly ground covering. There are separate areas for small and large dogs, and baggies are provided for cleanup. There aren't many trees for shade, however there are newly constructed awnings built over the bench areas. Another bonus is the Starbucks across the street where you can grab a coffee before heading over to the park!


WILLS PARK-Waggy World Paw Park
175 Roswell Street
Alpharetta, GA 30004

This park has lots of trees and shady areas-great for those hot summer days. It is usually very busy around 5 pm when people get home from work. There are grass surfaces, as well as mulch-covered areas. The smalls dogs have their own area for those under 25 lbs. Make sure you park in the parking lot off of Roswell Street or you will be walking a good distance to get there.


PIEDMONT PARK
400 Park Drive NE
Atlanta, GA 30306

What a blast we had a this park-it is worth the drive from Alpharetta! The boys' celebrated their 1st birthday here with several of the closest canine friends. This park is HUGE and offers a lot of space for dogs to run. It is also great for people watching-not to mention the variety of dogs you will see! This is by far the boys' favorite park, paws down. The downside is the limited parking. Arrive early because the park gets crowded-but there is room for everyone! Enter on Park Drive if there is parking available there.