September 2009

Tips in Selecting an Aquarium Tank

by Leonard Standeley

There are many things to consider when selecting an aquarium tank. One of them is the size of the aquarium. To determine the ideal size for you, you have to know the kind of fish that you are putting in the aquarium and exactly how many of them. Also, try to find out how big your fish can grow. If you buy a fish without finding out its maximum growth size, you may someday find your aquarium tank too small or too crowded. Remember to choose the aquarium that will be big enough for all the fish at maximum growth size.

The amount of water that the fish needs is also a factor to look into. Follow this rule of thumb to find out how much water your fish will need. A fish that will grow to adult size of less than 4 inches, like guppies and tetras, will require a gallon of water for every inch of fish. A large fish like the cichlid will need at least 55 gallons and the angelfish, at least 29 gallons. It is essential that your aquarium tank is able to hold the amount of water that all your fish need.

You can find aquarium tanks in various shapes and sizes. There are rectangular, round, bow-front, hexagonal and many others. They may be as small as two and a half gallons or as big as several hundred gallons. A small tank is recommended for a first aquarium because of the low maintenance involved. For greater convenience, check out a prepackaged kit containing everything you need as a beginner. This kit may include light, filter and a heater.

Aquariums are made of either glass or acrylic. Glass aquariums are heavier and more readily available in aquarium stores. They are also less expensive and less easily scratched. Acrylic aquariums, on the other hand, are lighter, stronger and more flexible, allowing for more varied shapes and sizes. They are known also, to insulate better than glass. Acrylic aquariums, however, are more expensive than the traditional glass aquarium.

Once an aquarium is filled, it can get very heavy. It can weigh 10 pounds for every gallon of water. Be sure that the stand that you put it on is very sturdy and will not collapse under the heavy weight. There are stands, made of either wood or metal, which are specially built for heavy aquariums tanks. They even come equipped with compartments that will hold your aquarium supplies. Aside from the stand, you will also need to get a lid for the tank. Make sure that the lid, sometimes called the “hood” fits your tank properly.

After making your choice and purchasing an aquarium tank, put it in a bathtub or your backyard and fill it with the right amount of water. Connect and plug all the equipment like the heater and the filter and let it stand overnight. You should always do this before putting in the fish to determine if there are leaks and that your equipment works properly. With the correct aquarium tank size and type, and proper precautions in ensuring the safety of your fish, you guarantee them a happy and healthy life in your aquarium tank.

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All You Need to Know About How to Build a Home Chicken Coop the Easy Way

by Carter Campbell

Anyone who is considering raising backyard chickens knows that a home chicken coop is a necessity to raise chickens the right way. Chickens certainly need a safe place to eat and sleep. They also need shelter from the elements. However, the idea of paying top dollar for a chicken coop and having it delivered can be a very expensive option. This is why building your own backyard chicken coop may be a feasible thing to do.

Pre-constructed chicken coops cost any where from $500 to $2000 but if you are a do-it-yourselfer, you can build your own home chicken coop for a fraction of the cost. Careful planning is important and there are several important factors to consider before building your coop.

1. Focus on Planning: Have you ever heard that old saying that if you fail to plan, you plan to fail? Even when building a chicken coop, that old adage stands true. If you take the time up front to plan your home chicken coop, you and your chickens will reap the benefits later.

Other things you should take into consideration are- the number of chickens you are planning to raise at the maximum, the number of feeders and the water bowls needed inside the coop, proper ventilation and your access into the coop for easy maintenance and cleaning.

2. Proper location: It is important to protect your chicken from rodents and snakes. Choose a spot in your yard that is flat and free of bushes and tall weeds. Leave plenty of room around the coop. It will be useful in case you plan to construct a run later.

3. Draw your coop’s plans on paper: By taking the time to draw out your chicken coop on paper, you will be better equipped to buy the materials you need and budget for them. Remember that you are going for functionality and not beauty when constructing this building.

4. Build your chicken coop: If you are sure about the chicken coop plan, it is time for a trip to the hardware store to gather the materials. Basic wood working skill is the absolute requirement for building your home chicken coop from scratch.

Building your own home chicken coop can be a good experience if you understand the process. However, if drawing your coop is a frustrating experience and you really have no clue about where to begin, you might want to purchase some inexpensive design plans to help you along. These resources are invaluable to the new coop builder as they can even tell you what kind of coop to build.

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How To Get Rid Of Fleas

by Ryan Williams

Dog lovers and owners everywhere are often faced with the issue of how to get rid of fleas! When your beloved pooch gets infested with fleas it can be an agonizing experience for both the owner and pet. There can be some dangerous side-effects of some well known dog flea products. The chemicals used in some of the nationally available household name products and major popular brands may be poisoning our pets and damaging our own family?s health at the same time. So the question remains, how to get rid of fleas safely? Our local pet food store sells an assortment of flea collars, flea powders and flea shampoo including Frontline for fleas. Even though the staff are knowledgeable and great, it is still difficult to know which product to use and almost impossible to know all of the active components of these dog flea products.

More recently, dog owners are seeking homeopathic or all-natural alternatives to the issue of how to get rid of fleas. Some of the more popular all-natural dog flea remedies are outlined as follows:

1. Household salt solution. Sprinkle table salt all over your house. Pay particular attention to where Fido takes his nap. Let the salt sit for at least one week and then look at the results. Fleas don?t seem to like salt. Your dog will lie down on the rugs, etc and the salt will also get on to his fur?fleas don?t like this. A few days later the fleas are gone.

2. Talcum powder to get rid of fleas. Cover your dog with baby powder or talcum powder. The powder will smother the fleas and kill them. This all-natural flea remedy is often recommended for puppies who are too young to be exposed to any flea chemical. You can also use baking soda.

3. Olive oil solution. For the fleas on adult dogs, you might want to try an olive oil solution. Start from the dog?s head and work your way to his tail so the fleas don’t move to the face. People say that the fleas just drown in the olive oil and fall out. Then just shampoo the dog fleas down the drain. This can be a pricey solution and your dog will smell like a salad..

4. Other people think garlic is the only way to go in the battle against dog fleas. Use fresh garlic diced in a food processor or by hand. You can put a dab of oil into it in order to make it more paste-like plus the oil will make for a nice shiny coat. Some people use a garlic pill supplement while others use freshly chopped garlic and mix it into the food.

There seem to be many all-natural alternatives to treating dog fleas. Some are bound to work better than others. These treatments will likely work best for a small infestation. For a really major case of fleas you might want to try a stronger dog flea remedy available at the pet store or vet?s office. In figuring out how to get rid of fleas its best to do some homework. However, with all matters pertaining to the health of your dog, please check with your vet about potential bad side effects.

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Dog Training: A Complete Guide

by Don De Good

It’s always a good idea to know all your alternatives before beginning training for your dog. Nowadays, there are a number of kinds of dog training programs offered in many areas. Each course varies in price, but they each have something unique to teach you.

The first stage in dog training is called puppy preschool. This dog training program is intended for pups aged around 6 weeks to 5 months. A puppy preschool class will usually take six to eight weeks to complete. In these classes, socializing with peoples and other puppies is the foundation of what is being taught. And, this is where your pup starts discovering the way to sit, stay and come to you.

The second option of dog training is intended for dogs that are over 5 months old. That course is usually referred to as basic dog training. These classes generally last for roughly two months. You can talk and travel on a leash is the message that a dog learns in it’s first course.

Intermediate dog training offers a third dog training course. This dog training reinforces what was already learned in the basic training with more detail. Because your dog was trained it will be able to focus better and follow orders better.

For dogs who are 5 months old and above, the intermediate dog training course encompasses 8-10 weeks of instruction. The dog should know basic commands given by its owner and/or should have finished a basic dog training course by now.

The next type of training course is known as the advanced dog training course. Here, once again, the course is quite similar to its previous one, i.e., the intermediate dog training course, except for the fact that this time it is more detailed. Here, the dog is taught how to sit even without you in the view.

This training course is about 8 to 10 weeks long, and is meant for those that have completed their intermediate training. Here, they are also trained to walk beside their owners without a leash. Moreover, it gradually prepares the dog to take the Canine Good Citizen training course. The Canine Good Citizen training for dogs is the last course. To pass this course, your dog will be taught the 10 necessary aspects.

Dogs should not take this course unless they’ve completed all of the other courses. This is by no means an easy test and it takes a really obedient dog to do well with it. The length of the course depends largely on how your dog does.

Keeping this information in mind, you should be able to decide the dog training course best suited for your dog. However, you may seek the opinion of your local dog trainers to know more. Many trainers consult for free. So now you should be at least a step closer to introducing your dog into a training course!

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Pet Healing and Cool Pet Necklaces

by George Carmichael

If you are looking to shop online for you pets, there are now websites available that will provide you with a great shopping experience!

Dog and cat necklaces are growing in popularity, and they can make your pet look gorgeous and feel fantastic! Some websites even utilize semi-precious stones (healing stones) and crystals to create cool and fashionable dog and cat necklaces.

Semi-precious stones and crystals are believed to offer healthy benefits to those that possess them. The ancient Chinese and Egyptians believed in the natural healing powers of stones and crystals 3500 years ago. Since stones and crystals are formed from the natural power of the earth over thousands of years, they are believed to contain the natural energy of the earth. Websites now use certain stones and crystals to create cool dog and cat necklaces that are believed to provide health benefits to your pet. The necklaces are created using bead-work and crystals matched to various ailments.

Some of the stones used to make dog and cat necklaces are as follows:

Jade: Believed to help digestion problems Tiger Eye: Said to relieve tension, and help with asthma Quartz: Believed to be a powerful general healer Aventurine: Said to help with weight loss Bloodstone: Believed to help to purify the blood Garnet: Said to aid with depression, and help infection

Dog and cat necklaces fashioned from these types of stones not only look great, but also might help your pet feel better if it is suffering from a medical condition. You can learn more about various healing stones and crystals with a little bit of research.

With a little research and shopping around on the internet, you can create a customized dog or cat necklace that will help your pet stay in optimal health. Your pet will feel top notch, and you can relax in the knowledge that you are helping to keep your pet safe, healthy and happy!

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How To Pick From So Many Saddles For Sale

by Richard Burklin

It can be hard for beginners to tell the difference between all of the saddles for sale on the market. For a newcomer, what makes horse saddle unique might not be so obvious at first glance. And some differences are not exactly visible at first.

After you take a saddle home and place it on your horse, you will notice right away that it has it’s own feel to it. And again once you yourself climb into the saddle, you will discover that your own body has a lot to with with how well the saddle works out. When you test a saddle, it’s a good idea to sit in it and go with your initial reaction to how you like it. But beyond that, what else should you look out for in a saddle?

Let’s take a look at a number of them:

First and foremost, it is critically important when you find a saddle for sale that it will fit the horse properly. It is important not to become so fallen with a saddle that looks like the perfect saddle when it is simply not a good fit for the horse. Such a saddle could prove very uncomfortable if not outright painful for the horse.

This is bad for two reasons. If you’re horse is angry, you’re in danger. And if you’re saddle is not properly snug, you’re also in danger. Measuring your horse should be your first step before you go looking at any horse saddles for sale.

If you’re looking to spend less on a saddle, you could go pre-owned. But don’t buy a used saddles that is falling apart obviously. Even though you usually don’t have to worry about deteriorating used saddles when they are from a quality manufacturer.

That is not to say that just because a used saddle is a made by known brand name that you can overlook excessive wear and tear. If someone is selling a saddle that is just torn to shreds, it is useless, regardless of the original maker.

Buying a saddle is a hands-on process. Testing a saddle, on your own horse if you can, is always a good idea, like trying on a pair of shoes. In doing so, you will notice a lot more important qualities to evaluate when you actually put your saddle into use.

You might find on your first ride with your new horse saddle that it seems to move around a bit too much. Sometimes this happens and you won’t know until you have actually tested out your new saddle.

You also need to consider your horse’s comfort when looking at saddles for sale. Check underneath the saddle for any dark blotches on your horse. These are probably bruises caused by the saddle and will tell you right away that that particular saddle is not good for your horse.

You probably weren’t expecting so many issues to consider when you started looking at all of the saddles for sale in stores. But if you do take the time to choose wisely, you will definitely enjoy your saddle purchase a lot more. And more importantly, so will your horse.

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Chicken Coops For Sale – Some Tips For Selecting The Right Chicken House

by George Fowler

The first thing that you will realize when you start looking at chicken coops for sale is how many are available to purchase. But before you invest any money in such a purchase there are certain things that you need to take into consideration first. In this article we offer some tips of what to look for when it comes to buying a chicken coop to ensure that not only will your hens have plenty of living space but it will provide them with ample protection.

Tip 1 – It is important that you buy a coop that is of a solid structure and which will last for many years to come. The best types of coops are those where the wood has been pressure treated and tanalised as they won’t need any maintenance and can last for up to 20 years.

However, they do cost more and for those whose budget is limited a coop that has been treated using standard coatings is a better option. But it is important that no toxic materials have been used to treat the wood and also remember that you will have to annually retreat the wood.

Tip 2 – You need to ensure that the coop will be weatherproof and so it is important that the roof overhangs the main part to ensure that rain will flow off it easily. An apex roof is your best option but there are a few coops that come with flat roofs which slope away from the door and then goes off the back.

As for the roofing materials not only should it prevent water from accessing the space underneath but provide insulation to the coop as well. In general most of the chicken coops for sale today come with roofs that have a good quality felt covering such as Onduline on them. Not only does it provide protection from the elements but prevents providing space for mites to live in it.

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Why Everyone Should Train Their Dog

by Don De Good

I know, you are probably under the assumption that training your dog will somehow sever the bond that you have worked so hard to create. Well, yes, your dog does bark endlessly during walks. Not to mention that it displays aggression toward your friend’s baby. You simply lock it up when you have guests. After all, that is just normal dog behavior, right? Actually… that is incorrect. I’m sorry to break the news to you, but although your dog is not a person, it is still expected to display some politeness. Although your dog’s rude behavior might amuse you, it is sure to annoy others. The neighbors who are scratched everyday when your dog jumps on them, and your friends who have scratch marks on their doors, will not think the unruliness is cute.

You might think you do not want to exercise the sort of authority required to tell him to behave any better, and that’s all quite all right really. Being the owner of a dog doesn’t require you to suddenly transform into a whip swinging ring master and you are right in denouncing the pathetic idea of establishing who the boss is when dealing with an animal.

You have been mislead about the general concept of dog training. The first lesson to be learned is that dog training is not about winning a power struggle. You are not trying to prove to your pet that you are the best. You also realize that training is not about making your pet more human. Pets will never learn to live by “human rules”, thus training should not be viewed as an effort to “humanize” a dog. Training does, however, better the relationship between pet and owner. An added benefit is that your pet will be more sociable.

‘What’s the point of that?’ you might ask. Well, here is the thing. Most of us spend the larger fraction of our daily lives toiling in office, drinking our instant coffee, reading those balance sheets. The little time we get with our family and pets we try to merge with some sort of socializing. We go to the park for a stroll on a lovely evening after work, or to a friend’s house to watch a movie. If our dogs are unfriendly then on all these occasions we keep it back home, alone, such that in no time it’s in no way a part of our life at all.

Much like people, animals experience feelings of sadness, loneliness, and depression when they feel deprived of attention from you and being left to sit alone in the dark most nights.

Although you may think that training will be dreadful for your dog, you are creating a much worse scenario for your pet by avoiding it. With training, you will be able to bring your pet along so that you can both enjoy the companionship.

Obedience training is a means of letting your dog cope better with it’s immediate environment. It grants every dog an easier life and makes them easier to live with. Training your dog will give you more opportunity to spend more time with your beloved pet, no matter where you are going and who you are going with.

So get in their and give your dog a nice pat and take it out for training. A few magic words like ‘heel’, ‘down’, ’stay’, ‘come’ and ’sit’, will change your relationship with your favorite companion forever. Good luck.

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Cats Owned by Celebs

by Robert Jizawa

For centuries we have been enthralled and entranced by felines. The ancient Egyptians are credited with being the first to domesticate cats; after this, they were bred and carried abroad by travelers who knew that they were perfect for companionship and as exotic beauties.

“The Cats” Broadway musical, is a good example of how these furry miracles can inspire artists of different eras.

Major literary works have included cats as central characters such as L. Tolstoy’s “Master and Margarita.” They were also important companions for celebrities such as Sir Winston Churchill, who insisted that his cat, Jock, was at the table before any meal was to begin.

Sir Isaac Newton created the cat flap, now called the door flap, to stop his cats from letting too much light in the laboratory by opening hte door. Although it was invented in the 17th century, the door flap is still a necessity to let cats in and out of the house with ease.

Cats have even inspired scientists; Nikola Tesla ruminated about what electricity was while stroking his cat cat Macak while a child. Tesla was intrigued by the static and sparks that occurred as he stroked his friend and his curiosity ultimately led him to his groundbreaking findings in mechanical and electrical engineering.

People are easily entranced by a cat’s graceful gait, their hypnotic eyes and relaxing purr. You can even find cat fancier clubs just for cat lovers as well as salons and pet clothing lines that cater to your feline’s needs. Consumers not only love their pets, they also love to spend money on their pets and they like to buy specialty items–frontline for cats is an example.

Cats may be lovely to look at but they are also very therapeutic and proffer health benefits to their owners and people who spend time with them. A study done in 2002 at the State University of New York (K, Allen, J. Blascovich, and W.B. Mendes) discovered that being exposed to a cat and petting a cat can significantly lower a person’s blood pressure. The article was titled “Cardiovascular reactivity and the presence of pets friends and spouses: the truth about cats and dogs” contains ample evidence and support that cats can indeed reduce stress and be beneficial to a cat owner’s health.

Cats are low maintenance, house animals, that is one of the reasons for their popularity in North America. According to a research conducted in 2007 by the American Veterinary Medical Association , there are over 82 million cats, kept as pets in the United States. According to Wikipedia , cats kept exclusively indoors, benefit from a longer life span. They are less exposed to bacteria and diseases, are safe from cat fight injuries and are not exposed to risks caused by motor vehicles. However keeping a cat indoors or letting it out, is a purely personal choice, that depends on many circumstances. However loving your cat is a must. We are responsible for those we take in. Let us not, let them down.

“Time spend with cats is never wasted” – Sigmund Freud.

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Where to Find Beautiful Pet Necklaces

by Jim Gregory

Various websites specialize in providing a unique shopping experience for you and your pet. You can find beautiful hand crafted pet necklaces fashioned from various semi-precious stones and crystals. The stones selected are believed to provide alternative healing solutions for ailments such as arthritis and respiratory problems.

Health benefits offered by various crystals and semi-precious stones have been known to humans for thousands of years. The ancient Chinese and Egyptians knew of the power in various stones and crystals. Crystals are created by the natural power of the earth – wind fire, and rain sculpt rock and crystal over time. The results are beautiful!

The gems, stones, and crystals used to fashion the pet necklaces are believed to have natural healing power from the core of the earth. When combined with beads, lampwork, and ceramics, the stones and crystals provide an alternative holistic healing solution believed to help with various ailments.

If you are looking for a cat or dog necklace, awesome selections are available. Different pet necklaces have been crafted to match the different holistic needs of your pet – and they are really fashionable!

Check out some of the stones and crystals used to create pet necklaces – some stones are believed to carry some great benefits!

Amethyst – Relieves stress, helps your pet sleep well, and calms its mind. It is also believed to provide a boost to the immune, respiratory, and digestives systems.

Flourite – Relieves ulcers, boosts your immune system, and strengthens your bones. Helps to ease nerve related pain and discomfort.

Lapis Lazuli – Helps the heart and spleen. Helps to relieve depression.

Red Coral – Believed to help with arthritis pain.

There are a ton of crystals and healing stones used to make great pet necklaces.

Ease the tension in your pet and have it looking fashionable and feeling great!

Your pet will feel great with the right compliment of healing stones and crystals. It will look fashionable and feel awesome!

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