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09/06/2008, 10:30 PM
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#151 | |
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Premium Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Chicago area, IL
Posts: 809
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Quote:
Man that was tough! (but I learned a thing or two)
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Tim Current Tank Info: Nanocube 12DX / Nanocube 28G HQI |
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09/07/2008, 08:16 PM
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#152 | |
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Registered Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Clifton Park, NY
Posts: 1,007
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Quote:
 I picked up a pair of 10" feeding tongs from Petsmart for $8.99... they're on the website for $6.99. If you bring in a print out of the price on line, they'll match it. I picked them up because I just stumbled upon them at the store, but otherwise I always print out prices of what I want to buy at Petsmart because they're always lower than the store prices. http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...ductId=2752620 This sure beats using a little rinky-dink pair of tweezers for feeding! 
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"The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing." -John Powell [i]Because the archenemy of "Good Enough" is "Better." Patrick12 of Okinawa, Japan[/i] Current Tank Info: 90 gallon- 20G Sump, DSB, 50x turnover, Icecap T5 Retrofit |
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09/07/2008, 08:30 PM
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#153 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Clifton Park, NY
Posts: 1,007
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I'm looking for a reliable but cost-effective Mg test kit...
What does everyone recommend? I have not been able to find one locally, so it looks like I'm going to have to order online.  http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...94&pcatid=4394 http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...4&pcatid=14694 Also, I have an Alk test, but not a Calcium test. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...97&pcatid=4397 http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...1&pcatid=15481 Why are these things so friggin expensive?! I've heard that Red Sea test kits are flaky, but how much so? Are they acceptable for my purposes, where I just want to raise my Mg/Alk and then maintain it with 2-part? Also, is Tech-M the best option or would this also work? It's nice that it is in dry form and can dose more, although is it risky diluting a dry formula VS just using liquid? http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=4787 F&S also has this.. I've never heard of this manufacturer. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...=0029777000000
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"The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing." -John Powell [i]Because the archenemy of "Good Enough" is "Better." Patrick12 of Okinawa, Japan[/i] Current Tank Info: 90 gallon- 20G Sump, DSB, 50x turnover, Icecap T5 Retrofit |
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09/07/2008, 09:06 PM
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#154 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 3,084
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I love Petsmart for the same reason!!!
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Rae N. She wasn't wicked, she only liked the shoes!!! Current Tank Info: 60 Gall Hex, 3 #3's, no fuge..........YET!!! |
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09/07/2008, 09:07 PM
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#155 |
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Premium Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Chicago area, IL
Posts: 809
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Well I use seachem and as far as CA and MG the tests aren't too bad. But I do think that getting the titration liquid out of the dropper is a bit ... rough. The tests are accurate down to something like .1 ml but the drops are like .3 or .4ml each. CA is quick and easy and MG is a bit more involved. Strontium! FORGET IT! I got just because some of the dosing stuff I had included strontium and I wanted to make sure I didn't over dose and that test is LONG and COMPLICATED. Way too many moving parts. No complaints for the CA and MG, but for ALK Seachem supposedly isn't all that great. Just my thoughts.
Kent supplements seem to be most popular.
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Tim Current Tank Info: Nanocube 12DX / Nanocube 28G HQI |
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09/07/2008, 09:14 PM
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#156 | |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: PA
Posts: 14,022
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Quote:
I still need to get one of those long robot looking claws everyone around here seems to have for picking up things in the tank, so they don't get their hands wet. |
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09/07/2008, 09:17 PM
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#157 | |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: PA
Posts: 14,022
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Quote:
API are a little easier to use, and for the Ca & Alk I didn't notice a large difference in readings when I switched to Salifert. As far as Mag goes... I've only ever used Salifert. |
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09/07/2008, 09:22 PM
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#158 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Clifton Park, NY
Posts: 1,007
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Yeah.. every where I've looked, Salifert is like 30 bucks. I just found a website selling it for $17.99, though!
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"The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing." -John Powell [i]Because the archenemy of "Good Enough" is "Better." Patrick12 of Okinawa, Japan[/i] Current Tank Info: 90 gallon- 20G Sump, DSB, 50x turnover, Icecap T5 Retrofit |
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09/07/2008, 09:27 PM
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#159 | |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: PA
Posts: 14,022
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Quote:
SaltyCritter has them, but they are $23.99 http://www.saltycritter.com/testkits.htm |
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09/07/2008, 09:34 PM
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#160 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Clifton Park, NY
Posts: 1,007
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Now let's see if they kill me on the shipping!
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"The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing." -John Powell [i]Because the archenemy of "Good Enough" is "Better." Patrick12 of Okinawa, Japan[/i] Current Tank Info: 90 gallon- 20G Sump, DSB, 50x turnover, Icecap T5 Retrofit |
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09/08/2008, 09:19 PM
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#161 |
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Moved On
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Ft Worth, Tx
Posts: 43,217
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If you have the time (you said you were busy now with school), take some time to pinch off as much of that green hair algae now before it can get spread out. Put some of your snails on those patches as soon as you are done so they can mow it down.
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09/08/2008, 11:16 PM
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#162 | |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 745
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Quote:
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A small fish in a big aquarium |
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09/09/2008, 01:18 AM
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#163 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posts: 433
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Well, that would be cheap for me, looking at the salifert cartons in front of me, I can see thay all cost me €24.99 which is 35 US Dollars.
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New tank (468L or 120G) has salt and rock, just add coral and fish! Current Tank Info: New tank in progress.... |
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09/16/2008, 10:34 PM
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#164 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Clifton Park, NY
Posts: 1,007
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Whoa, I was scoping my tank out with a flashlight before bed and discovered a brand new group-- snail babies! There must have been some kind of serious orgy while I was out of town, because there are snail babies everywhere!!! Mostly the black turbos, but also a handful of cone shaped snails... My guess would be nassarius, but I haven't hade a
live one in my tank (that I could see) in months? That or Cerith... But I've never had those. So that's my exciting little update from busy town. Check Rae's thread on the nomadic nem drama... No time to repost.
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"The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing." -John Powell [i]Because the archenemy of "Good Enough" is "Better." Patrick12 of Okinawa, Japan[/i] Current Tank Info: 90 gallon- 20G Sump, DSB, 50x turnover, Icecap T5 Retrofit |
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09/16/2008, 10:49 PM
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#165 |
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Moved On
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Ft Worth, Tx
Posts: 43,217
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If those snails are tiny cerith looking things, don't get too excited yet. You may be dealing with a pest snail that eats clams and larger snails:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-02/nftt/index.php |
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09/17/2008, 04:27 AM
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#166 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Clifton Park, NY
Posts: 1,007
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Oh marc, that's them!
I onmly saw them on a couple spots on the glass/along sandbed and on a piece of epoxy, where they are obviouslynessier I spot. *sigh*
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"The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing." -John Powell [i]Because the archenemy of "Good Enough" is "Better." Patrick12 of Okinawa, Japan[/i] Current Tank Info: 90 gallon- 20G Sump, DSB, 50x turnover, Icecap T5 Retrofit |
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09/18/2008, 08:50 PM
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#167 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Clifton Park, NY
Posts: 1,007
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what the... my iTouch went NUTS!
The little cone snails are not on the Crocea at all -- or at least nowhere I can see. I've only seen them near the sandbed, on an old snail shell or the glass. The baby Turbos were all over the rocks in a certain area, I'm guessing where I assume they had hatched. Some updated photos... The new areas of growth on the RBTA, where it had lost the majority of its tissue/tentacles to the Koralia are growing back wonderfully... they're the beautiful bubbled tentacles.. too bad the whole nem doesn't decide to bubble up!! She looks kind of undecided. In these pics she is starting to shrink down and get ready for bed. She is expanded to about the size of a small dinner plate at the peak of the day, right in front of the right side of the tank, covering the sandbed in that corner. I guess she figured out how to position herself as the showpiece in the tank!     The female Dispar has really improved and thickened up. She was very "ribby" before, now she looks nice and healthy.  She is a nice yellowey orange color with a yellow tail, the male is a dark orangey-pink with a bright red/magenta dorsal fin and pink tail. The Crocea doesn't appear to be stressed, as the article Marc posted suggests Tridacnids look like when being sucked on by those nasty snails. 
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"The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing." -John Powell [i]Because the archenemy of "Good Enough" is "Better." Patrick12 of Okinawa, Japan[/i] Current Tank Info: 90 gallon- 20G Sump, DSB, 50x turnover, Icecap T5 Retrofit |
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09/18/2008, 09:18 PM
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#168 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bay Area CA
Posts: 584
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Lesya - Along with the comment I made on Rae's thread, I think your tank is moving along nicely and am happy you have won your battle with the hairy fuzz.
How often and what are you feeding your nem? I'm getting silversides for mine this weekend and is currently feeding mysis shrimps temporarily. How's school going for you? Is your back getting better? |
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09/18/2008, 09:20 PM
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#169 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Clifton Park, NY
Posts: 1,007
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Nightime vid clip...
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"The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing." -John Powell [i]Because the archenemy of "Good Enough" is "Better." Patrick12 of Okinawa, Japan[/i] Current Tank Info: 90 gallon- 20G Sump, DSB, 50x turnover, Icecap T5 Retrofit |
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09/18/2008, 09:28 PM
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#170 | |
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Registered Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Clifton Park, NY
Posts: 1,007
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Quote:
School is CRAZY. What makes it the most hectic is the working full time part. I keep getting tempted by the prospect of taking out larger loans and living off of them so that I can finish faster... But I know that that is incredibly foolish. I'm also thinking that if I can maintain the appropriate GPA, I might also be ambitious enough to try to get into Vet School... It's been my dream since childhood and would really make me happy, since I am such an animal lover and science nut. My back still hurts. The bulging disc thing is better, but we have discovered that I have Sacro-Iliac joint problems. My lower back hurts daily, but I try not to take the Tramadol unless it is really affecting me. Physical Therapy hasn't really been helping that I can significantly feel... but they're also kind of flying in the dark because SI joint problems are very rare-- or at least that's what they tell me.
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"The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing." -John Powell [i]Because the archenemy of "Good Enough" is "Better." Patrick12 of Okinawa, Japan[/i] Current Tank Info: 90 gallon- 20G Sump, DSB, 50x turnover, Icecap T5 Retrofit |
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09/18/2008, 09:43 PM
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#171 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Durham, NC
Posts: 2,205
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Back pain sucks really bad. I tweaked my back really bad just lifting a half full 20 gallon tank and knocked 1/3 of my vertebrae out of alignment. After not being able to sleep through a night because of back pain I went to a chiropractor and after two months of treatments i was good as new (sort of). I few years ago my mom had a sciatic nerve problem (kinda like a disc problem) and I'm sure going to a chiropractor for that would not have worked at all...
I know we're gearing up for our first round of tests/papers over here in Washington (I'm actually putting off a research paper to be on RC...), when do tests start for you? How is ochem going?
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^ Click on my username and 'Visit Taqpol's Home Page!" to view my 220 gallon custom Miracles tank! -Alex |
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09/18/2008, 09:49 PM
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#172 | |
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Registered Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Clifton Park, NY
Posts: 1,007
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Quote:
I'm already getting burned out. I get home after 9pm twice a week, 730-8pm other days. The 9pm days I don't even get to feed my fish. I set my timer to turn on and off later this week so that I can get some food in their bellies daily.
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"The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing." -John Powell [i]Because the archenemy of "Good Enough" is "Better." Patrick12 of Okinawa, Japan[/i] Current Tank Info: 90 gallon- 20G Sump, DSB, 50x turnover, Icecap T5 Retrofit |
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09/18/2008, 09:58 PM
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#173 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Durham, NC
Posts: 2,205
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Oh wow, that really really sucks. I actually really lucked out this year. I only have two classes on MWF (Though I do work in the lab on those days) but my Tuesday/Thursday schedule sucks. All of my labs lined up so on Thursdays I literally am in school from 10:00 until 8:00.
Still, you definitely got me beat. School is important but its not everything, try not to burn yourself out. Your boss seemed pretty cool, maybe you could work out a different schedule? I know you've already changed it once, but maybe...
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^ Click on my username and 'Visit Taqpol's Home Page!" to view my 220 gallon custom Miracles tank! -Alex |
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09/18/2008, 10:04 PM
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#174 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Clifton Park, NY
Posts: 1,007
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The problem is, I already am working less hours and thus making much less money. I come in at 10:30 Tuesdays and Thursdays because of a 8:45am class, and leave at 3:30pm for 4:15pm classes on Mondays and Wednesdays. This reduces me from 80 hrs/2 weeks, to 57hrs/2 weeks this last pay period.
Although my boss has been seemingly flexible with school, he has been driving me crazy. He's a cheap bastard, I'm underpaid, and he has NO common sense or business sense. He has terrible time management skills, is very inefficient and just... it's ridiculous. I love the people I work with, but I'm feeling like it's just a job I punch in and out from every day... and I'm not even making good money. I'm just getting stressed out.
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"The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing." -John Powell [i]Because the archenemy of "Good Enough" is "Better." Patrick12 of Okinawa, Japan[/i] Current Tank Info: 90 gallon- 20G Sump, DSB, 50x turnover, Icecap T5 Retrofit |
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09/18/2008, 10:07 PM
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#175 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Clifton Park, NY
Posts: 1,007
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Sorry.. it's been a long week.
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"The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing." -John Powell [i]Because the archenemy of "Good Enough" is "Better." Patrick12 of Okinawa, Japan[/i] Current Tank Info: 90 gallon- 20G Sump, DSB, 50x turnover, Icecap T5 Retrofit |
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