The Seven Most Popular Baby Nursery Themes

Together you and your baby will be spending a good amount of time in the nursery and through colors and dcor you can create an atmosphere enjoyable and pleasing for both of you. As with many other things there is more than one way to accomplish that: you can have the nursery completely finished before the birth of your baby, or you can start with the color scheme and the few major pieces and let the nursery evolve with your babys growth. Whichever way you choose its much easier if you decide before hand on a nursery theme. Below are the seven most popular baby nursery themes in use today:

JUNGLE THEME
The Jungle theme combines greens, browns and yellows which can be exciting and cheerful and at the same time soothing; it is a gender neutral design. Baby bedding, quilts and nursery rugs as well as cut-outs of jungle animals, wall paper and borders are easy to find. Lions, giraffes, monkeys and elephants bring the exotic colors and sounds of the jungle to your little adventurer.

SPORTS
The Sports theme gained in popularity in the recent years. Hockey and football, soccer and basketball are all depicted on their own or in different combinations. The Sports theme features heavy graphical patterns and will compliment almost any room but generally is considered as boys nursery theme. Baby quilts, pillow cases, and wallpaper feature pictures of sports and sports items, such as different balls, pucks, rackets, skates, baseball gloves, nets, etc. The graphically drawn pictures are in bold colors that will easily catch and keep your little champions attention.

PRINCESS
Fairy Tale Princess or Cinderella is as girlish as it can be design. Sometimes it can be too heavy on pink but shiny gold stars and accents of orange, sage, blue and brown can help offset the cotton candy feeling of the more traditional design. In the new Fairy Tale Princess nursery designs nothing is missed the magic wand, the multi turreted castle, the sparkling crown, the pumpkin, the mice, the merciless clock and the legendary glass slipper. Cribs can even be purchased that resemble Cinderellas stage coach to complete the perfect princess theme.

ALPHABET
The Alphabet is a great theme choice; it looks orderly and neat and is considered a unisex design. Usually it has a nice mix of colors and shapes which easily compliment even preexisting room dcor. Two-year olds can recognize the letters and with a little parents help can memorize them easily. An early grasp on the alphabet is a real head start for your little scholar.

SEA LIFE
Perhaps the most popular of all is the nursery theme based on sea life Aquarium, Under the Sea, Sea World, etc. Grinning exotic sea creatures and tropical fish in bright and vibrant colors darting through the water kingdom are widely used. Seahorses, crabs, mermaids and corals all bring a multitude of colors to make this theme equally suited for baby boys and baby girls.

PETS
The Pets theme has always been quite popular among parents. It features favorite household pets like dogs or cats and is quite endearing to a lot of parents. The colors are usually calmer and more traditional and bring the sense of homeliness. A lot of parents feel more comfortable with the familiar faces and shapes. Generally dogs depicting design is seen as boys nursery design and cats themes are preferred for baby girls nurseries.

ANGELS
Watchful guardian angels are always welcome in the nursery and the theme is as popular as ever. Angels baby bedding and accessories are often offered in bright and vibrant colors, although more mellow versions are also available. This theme is gender neutral and is great for all stages of baby development.

A nursery theme is only an idea which you shouldnt be afraid to develop. Free your imagination and creativity and experiment; play with colors and shapes till the final result brings a smile on your face.

Guidelines For Moving An Aquarium To Duluth

While moving, there are some items that require specific handling such as pianos, antique furniture, electronic gadgets, and so on. An aquarium certainly comes under this category because you have to move it by following certain procedures. An important point to remember is that there are two parts to the process moving the tank and fish separately. The fish should not be moved while they are in the tank.

How to move the tank?

It is essential to make sure that the filtration system in the aquarium is moved properly or else without a flow of oxygen in the water, aerobic bacteria starts dying in a matter of hours. If the move is a local one or the distance is short no more than one or two hours away, you might preserve the bacteria colony.

Purchase a holding container and put the fish inside.

Next, drain the tank completely. However, if the move is short, save some of the water so that you can preserve the bacteria colony.

Disassemble the fish tank. Plants will likely survive if you keep their roots wet. Bag them with some water and set them aside for hand-moving.

Pack the pumps, heaters and other items like fragile goods should be handled.

For a long distance move, clear or discard the filter media. In case of a short move, put the filter medium in a sealed container like a new pail or other chemical-free, hard-sided container. There is no need to clean it during this kind of move.

Enough chlorine-free and treated water should be there to fill up the tank and get water moving through the filter after a short move. For long moves, the tank has to be set up from scratch.

How to move the fish?

After the tank has been set up, wait for a week to put the fish in. Make sure that a few hardy fish are put in first to get the nitrate cycle regulated.

After putting the fish in a holding container, take them to a pet store that will board your fish during your move. Get a signed contract that outlines the responsibilities undertaken by the store and the total cost. Searching for a suitable store may take a while, so do it some time in advance.

For a short while, around two hours, the fish can be kept in sealed bags half-filled with air. You may stretch the time a little by using oxygen instead of air. These bags should be transported in a padded, compartmentalized container. For longer moves or larger fish, use a sealed bucket.

The fish should be well-fed before the move as feeding them during that period of time can degrade the quality or water. They can survive a week or more without food if they have been well-fed earlier. Try to maintain an even temperature by using a battery-powered air pump and air stone.

Contact movers in Rochester or relocation experts in Duluth for more information about how they can help you execute a smooth move.

Ahh! Saltwater Aquarium Pests And Parasites… Dealing With Saltwater Aquarium Pests And Parasites

Saltwater aquarium pests and parasites might have an adverse effect on the health of your marine tank. Bacterial diseases can cause ill-health in your fish and invertebrates. Bacterial disease can also kill the fish in your tank. To get rid of the problem you might have to start all over again from scratch. This is not only very upsetting but also very expensive.

So it makes sense to be on the lookout for saltwater aquarium pests and parasites and to treat your fish at the first sign of illness. Marine fish usually fall prey to gram-negative bacteria. These include Pseudomonas, Vibrio and Myxobacteria. It is not always easy to spot saltwater aquarium pests and parasites in marine fish. Often you may not know that there is something wrong until your fish become seriously ill.

You can help prevent saltwater aquarium pests and parasites by making sure that conditions in your tank dont encourage their growth. To do this you need to understand how and why saltwater aquarium pests and parasites occur in marine fish in the first place.

Bacterial disease is caused by a number of things, sometimes in combination. Such disease can be topical (external) for example fin and tail rot and ulcers or systemic (affecting the body internally) or it might be a combination of both. Saltwater aquarium pests and parasites are more likely to affect fish that are in poor condition. The healthier your fish are the more resistance they will have to saltwater aquarium pests and parasites.

However fish that are weak, sick or stressed by environmental conditions in the tank are easily infected by saltwater aquarium pests and parasites. Bacterial diseases may gain entry into the body through the pores along the lateral line. The gills are another site of entry into the body of a fish.

So what environmental conditions make it more likely for saltwater aquarium pests and parasites to cause illness in your tank? The leading cause of bacterial attack is poor environmental conditions in the tank. If conditions are allowed to deteriorate the health of your fish is impacted and this might make them more susceptible to diseases.

Saltwater aquarium pests and parasites will soon bloom and over-run the tank. If the water is white and cloudy and the fish have sores on their body, conditions in the tank are very poor and must be corrected.

Your fish may also be affected by saltwater aquarium pests and parasites if they have other infections. So treating them is crucial. If your fish are not fed properly they might not have built up a good resistance to infection. Any injuries that your fish have might allow bacteria to take hold. Fish that are stressed and harassed are also more likely to become ill.

Older, weaker fish are at increased risk of contracting a bacterial infection as are any fish that come from water that has been contaminated (for example tap water!). If a fish eats the flesh of a sick fish it may also become ill with the same disease. So how do you know if your fish are infected with saltwater aquarium pests and parasites? What should you look for?

If your fish are afflicted with saltwater aquarium pests and parasites they might show one or more of the following symptoms:

– Red frayed fins or fins that show red streaks.
– The fins might disintegrate (in fin and tail rot).
– Red areas around the lateral line (streaks or blotches).
– Open sores on the sides of the body and near the fins.
– Bloody scales at the fin base.
– Fast breathing.
– A grey film may cover the eyes.
– The fish may appear listless or lethargic.
– They may lose their appetite.
– The stomach may be swollen or bloated from saltwater aquarium pests and parasites that cause bladder infections, for example.

Bacteria are not the only saltwater aquarium pests and parasites that might affect your fish. Black Spot disease is a common marine illness caused by a parasitic turbellarian flatworm in the genus Paravortex. It makes its home at the bottom of the tank after which it attached to a host fish for about six days then falls off into the substrate again. It is common in Yellow tangs and Angelfishes.

If you notice tiny black dots on the body of your fish and they seem to be scratching against objects or have red skin and are lethargic they might have black spot disease. It is less common than some other saltwater aquarium pests and parasites (white ich for example) but should still be looked for.

If any of your fish contract the diseases mentioned above or other illnesses, they may not die immediately. But in general if saltwater aquarium pests and parasites are not treated your fish will die in a one to two week period. There are viral strains that can kill fish within a day or two. Even if you dont know what the disease is you need to take steps immediately to isolate the ill fish.

Fish that are infected with saltwater aquarium pests and parasites should be placed into a quarantine tank. This is because bacterial infections will spread to healthy fish very quickly if sick fish are allowed to interact with them. Once the illness affects the internal organs the fish will stop eating, breathe rapidly, and lie on the bottom of the tank where it may be eaten by other fish or start to decay releasing bacteria into the water.

To protect your fish from saltwater aquarium pests and parasites diagnose and treat your fish with the appropriate antibiotics. Ask your aquarist for advice if necessary. Only place your fish back into the tank once they are completely healthy. This will ensure that your tank stays pest free. The most important way to guard against diseases is to make sure that your fish are as healthy as possible and you can do this by making sure that conditions in your tank are at optimum levels.

Why Visit Cornwall

Cornwall is one of the most favourite and best holiday destinations in the UK. It is a paradise of beauty and a place of inspiration to explore. The beaches, the gardens, castles, fine food, breathtaking views, moorlands and woodlands and attractions galore, make this county a perfect escapade for leisure. Whether you are looking to just sit back and relax while enjoying a Cornish cream tea or looking for an adrenal rush with an extreme sport like kite surfing, this place has many options for you to indulge yourself in the ultimate holiday. The beaches in Cornwall are awarded the prestigious blue flags making them some of the best beaches in the country. Eighty percent of Cornwall is surrounded by the sea, with the longest coastline in the UK. Coasteering and surfing are popular here and the Boardmasters Surf Festival takes place every year in Newquay. Take a trip to the North Coast and South Coast of Cornwall to discover cheerful towns and villages.

The famous Eden Project Garden is an ideal place to take your family to spend a day of new experiences. It is called the Eighth Wonder of the World for very good reasons. The outstanding global garden is the size of thirty football pitches and is an inspiring place to see the relationship between man and nature and especially the humankind’s dependence on plant life for survival. This is a great place for kids to learn and have so much fun. Do not forget to take your kids to the Dairyland Farm World where you will find lambs, kids, piglets, rabbits and donkeys you can pet, bottle feed and cows you can even milk. There is also a space age Orbiter where you could watch cows being milked in space. The Cornish Heritage Centre at the farm shows you how people used to live and work in the old days. There are rides, playgrounds and nature trails to keep the children’s enthusiasm alive. The lost garden of Heligan, Springfield Fun Park, National Maritime Museum and Blue Reef Aquarium are some of the other places that deserve your attention.

The beautiful Minack Theatre set on the edge of a cliff is an open air theatre, situated in Porthcurno. Discover King Henry the VIII’s coastal fortress by visiting Pendennis Castle and explore its underground to see how it was used as a secret base during WWII. Lanhydrock House and Garden, which is under the National Trust Properties, is a grand stately home of fifty rooms with a historical garden of thirty acres. There are many different varieties of plants and flowers that can be viewed here. Don’t forget to visit Port Elliot House, Land’s End, Flambards, Newquay Zoo and Crealy Great Adventure Park.

If you are looking forward to a holiday in Cornwall, you will be rewarded with plenty of excitement, adventure, fun and relaxation. Click holiday cottages in Cornwall to find out more about places to stay in Cornwall.

How To Pack An Aquarium Before Moving Home

Moving an aquarium involves quite a bit of work, and as a rule of thumb, the larger the fish tank, and the more fish inside it, the more work it will involve. So if you can, try to donate some of the fish before moving, especially if you have shoals of identical fish.

Careful planning is the key to success in moving an aquarium.

Step 1: Transporting your fish

Although you should do all this the last minute before moving house, you will need to be prepared with the right containers. A tried and tested method of transporting fish is simply placing the fish in zipper-seal bags or standard bags sealed in a loose knot or using a rubber band. If you envisage a long trip (lasting more than 6 hours) you should feed the fish less for a couple of days prior to the move this will minimize their excretion and hence the water in the bags remains cleaner for longer.

Ideally these bags should be placed in a thermal isolator such as a picnic cooler or a cooler bag. Try to segregate fish by their species and ensure that every bag has sufficient water for the entire fish to be comfortably immersed even when the container gets slightly tilted.

Step 2 Moving the aquarium equipment

The filtration system of an aquarium is probably the second biggest issue. Beneficial bacteria begin to die soon after oxygenized water is removed. So remove the media from your filter and place it in its own bag with water from the aquarium. Fill the remainder of the bag with as much air as possible. Place this bag in the cooler along with the fish if there is space.

Disassemble your tank and place your aquarium plants in bags with some water. Aquarium plants can survive a fair amount of time if their roots are kept wet. However if you plan a long move (more than a day), discard the water completely.

Step 3 Loading and transit

Once the fish and the equipment have been taken care of, empty the aquarium from all the water and protect it with packing materials. Remember never to lift the aquarium from the side walls but always from the base.

In transit, the two most important things for the safety of the fish are temperature and oxygen so try to keep the temperature in the cooler as stable as you can. You can use heat or ice packs according to the situation.

For very long distance relocation you will need to replenish the oxygen inside the bags. You can do this simply by opening them and allowing fresh air inside. If you happen to have a battery operated air pump you could pump in air for 10 minutes o so inside each bag and then reseal it.

Step 4 – Unpacking

As soon as you get to your destination, reassemble your tank without delay. Fill it with new conditioned water and allow the filter and heater to run for a while to assure that they function properly before actually placing the fish.

The best way to return the fish into the aquarium is to actually place them still inside their sealed bags. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for the water inside the bag to reach the same temperature as that of the new water in the aquarium and then gently unseal the bag and allow the fish to swim out.