Month: March 2019

Decorating Around Black Leather Furniture

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Black leather furniture is a highly ideal option to go for when it comes to interior decoration. The fabric is very durable, making it long-lasting and appropriate for children and pets. It may be pricier than a lot of other fabrics, but it’s worth it for the benefits. Generally, the black shiny surface of such furniture goes well with almost any color (if not all colors). This means you can just focus on how much of a contrast you want there to be, rather than worrying what will and won’t go with your black leather furniture.

You have to be careful with decorating when it comes to what you want to achieve though. The furniture can be overpowering, so if you don’t want this then you just have to choose the surrounding decoration wisely, such as the colors of the walls, lamps, curtains, etc. The color tones you choose should be preferably a medium tone, and this creates a good balance and the furniture won’t feel too over the top. With white walls it can stand out too much, and with dark tones there may not be enough contrast to really lift the room. Keep in mind that shades of gray can go well with the black leather furniture, but again, not too dark.

If you’re looking for a balance between masculine and feminine, be sure to add reds, pinks and purples to the room perhaps in the form of cushions and blankets that you can place onto the furniture. This contrast works effectively if you really are trying to achieve something that is neither too masculine nor too feminine. Another great tip is to have lamps, vases, and other items that match the surrounding colors of the room but also contain black. This keeps the color palette consistent throughout the room. If you look around enough, you should be able to find appropriate accents.

Be sure to take lighting into account, whatever room it is your black leather furniture is in. In fact, this can be one of the biggest factors of your decoration: the amount of natural lighting coming in, where it’s hitting, and what kind of artificial lighting you have for nighttime. Have plenty of natural light coming in if you can, but put blinds up so you can control the amount that comes in. Also, consider a dimmer switch for the main lighting so that you can create some ambiance at night. This can also be assisted with adjustable lamps and candles. Basically, having as much control over the lighting as possible is one of the keys.

Last but not least, arrange your black leather furniture appropriately. Don’t have lots of it crowding a space. Spread it out, or if it’s a small room then put some of it in another room. A room crowded with such furniture will again be overpowering, and this is something you may want to avoid. You can always add some of it to your bedroom or dining area

The Facts About Plecostomus

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Hypostomus plecostomus are a part of the family Loricariidae. This is the largest family of catfish with close to 700 individual species and growing annually. The Greek translation of plecostomus, like most species names, can be broken down into two parts. Pleco means pleat as in a fold in fabric. Stoma is mouth. Combine the two and you have, folded mouth.

These fish are indigenous to Costa Rica, Panama, and South America. The plecostomus is actually a single of many species of armored catfish native to the tropical and subtropical zones of the western hemisphere. All of these fish are known as common algae eaters because of their dietary habits. Over the years, the species name plecostomus has become synonymous with these armor plated algae ingesting catfish. Aquarists around the world often use the nicknames plecos or plecs when referring to these creatures.

Plecos are one of the most easily recognizable and commonly owned aquarium fish on the planet. Their immense popularity is inarguably a result of their dietary habits. Their ease of recognition, however, should be only partially attributed to their near mandatory presence in a freshwater aquarium. Armored catfishes prehistoric origins set them apart from almost every other freshwater species in existence. Their appearance has remained virtually unchanged since they first swam the oceans long before dinosaurs roamed the face of the Earth. Owning a plecos is like having a living fossil in your aquarium.

One of the most readily distinguishable traits of algae eaters is their wide, suction-cup like mouths. This is a highly specialized feeding apparatus for what in essence is a bottom dwelling scavenger fish. In addition to its most obvious application, this suction mechanisms secondary function can best be demonstrated by watching a plecos cling seemingly effortlessly to the side of an aquarium. This same ability helps to keep these fish anchored securely in place in the most torrential floodwater run offs the rainy season has to offer. A plecos will emerge from even the most severe rainy season in the feeding grounds it has become accustomed to, where other less adaptable species have been swept countless miles downstream. Their distinctive and highly developed mouths have also won them the nickname, suckermouth.

If you go to buy any fish that is labeled Plecostomus, Plecos or Algae Eater make sure to take its estimated adult size into consideration. The actual species belonging to the name plecostomus can reach an excess of 2 feet in length. They routinely grow to a foot or more in the confines of an aquarium. The adult size of the various species sold under these blanket terms varies considerably. Some are as small as two inches when fully grown. Make sure to choose one that the size of your aquarium will accommodate.

Plecos make great community fish. A common trait among bottom feeding species is that they rarely pay any attention to the comings and goings of fish in the upper levels of an aquarium. This will remain true even when they are in the midst of cleaning the algae growth off the sides of your tank.

Younger plecos may be tolerant of each other but as they continue to grow in both age and size that tolerance usually proves short lived. There are very few bottom dwelling fish that will peacefully coexist with one another.

Loricariids are a nocturnal family. They are active at night and will instinctively seek out shelter to sleep in during the day. Providing your plecos with a place rest in during the day will help it acclimate to its new surroundings. While this is not strictly necessary, it is recommended. Plecos will rest on the substrate during the day in an unadorned aquarium.

Plecos are omnivores. In an aquarium, just as in nature, these catfish will consume just about anything. This is what scavenger fish do. Contrary to what you may believe, they derive the majority of their dietary intake from ingesting decomposing organic matter foraged off the aquarium substrate and not from the consumption of algae.

Plecos are one of the most self sufficient fish you can have in an aquarium. This is easy to take for granted. It is inadvisable to assume that foraging will provide your plecos with enough nutrients to keep it healthy and fit. This is especially true if you own a larger member of the plecos family.

Putting sinking wafers or pellets in your aquarium at night when the other fish are less active will help make sure your plecos dietary needs are being meant. Loricariids are not finicky eaters. They will eat the same vegetables humans do. They eat a wide variety of vegetables. Vegetables can be cooked or served raw, leafy like spinach or bulky like zucchini, broccoli, and cauliflower. Having driftwood in your aquarium is also recommended. Plecos love to nibble on drift wood. This would seem to indicate that wood provides a needed source of fiber.

Plecos are not known to spawn in captivity. Most species that do not breed in captivity are captured to support the thriving aquarium industry. This is typically not the case when it comes to plecos. Central and South America natives have turned the harvesting of plecos eggs into an industry all its own. The eggs are collected from drying streams and riverbeds and then sold to fish farms where they are hatched and raised for eventual resale. Many plecos sold in fish stores were harvested just this way.

Importance Of Aquarium Screen Saver

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Users of computer application should know that aquarium screensaver is a computer program which is designed for avoiding phophor or burn-in on the crt and computer monitors by having blank screen and filling the screen with movable images when the computer infact is not in use. One should have the information that the aquarium screensaver are basically used as entertaiment and security purposes. Befor e the introduction of lcd screens in the market, many of the computer screen are made up of cathode ray tubes which were used by consumers. In this way when the crt screen remained fouced with phosphor coating lying on the inner portion of the screen for longer period, certain changes started emerging as result dark shadow and ghost image on the screen started to appear. Seeing this one starts assuming that cathode ray television, oscilloscopes and many other devices having their usages in crt become more prone to phopshor burn in as seen in the case of plasma displays.

So aquarium screensaver programmes were introduced in the market for avoiding these bad effects through automatic changes in the screen when the user is not using the system. Such cases may appear in crts used in many public properties like atm and railway ticketing machines. Even in earlier machines same problems were there but iwth different scenario like it will show please insert your card, which is happening when the machine is already on. So avoid this risk burn-in is removed by chaning the position of the display contents after every few seconds or one can do this by knowing the number of differnt images which can changed continuously.

Aquarium screensaver taken as misnomer which helps in saving the screen of any eletrical equipments. One can alsosave the screen by turning off the monitor of these devices especially in case of computers. One should know that aquarium screensaver may consume sometime amount of cpu titme. Such cases can be seen in busy servers. The features of the aquarium screensaver such as divert and entertain is basically have the usage for promotional activities as is c ase found in making buzz for any kind of event based products like feature films.

Is Your Freshwater Aquariums Grass Real

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Can you imagine an aquarium without the green element? Indeed, an aquarium cannot be complete without plants. They provide the natural ‘green’ for the fish tank and create a pleasant backdrop with their beauty. Most importantly, they are part of the perfect balance in your aquarium because your fish like them and need the nutrients that they can provide. They can be in the form of grass, and serve as both food and shelter for your fish. From the thousands of species of plants, there are now hundred of types of grass that are popular and used in aquariums.

Plenty of folks would rather have manufactured plants or artificial grass made in various different materials. A lot of others prefer real grass, transplanted from a lake, river, pond or sea or even from an aquarium plantation. There are advantages and disadvantages in choosing either the live version or the imitation. Of course, nothing beats real grass and that is why many aquarium owners who love the hobby, always aim to get the real grass for their aquariums.

Artificial grass is easier to maintain than the real grass simply because it does not need light like real plants do, and it does not decay over time nor contribute to fish tank problems like ammonia build up. The fake grass is not subject to change in color, size and general appearance.

Give your new artificial grass a light bath in slightly salty water before you put them in your aquarium. It functions as a major decoration in the tank while the fish can use it as a playing field and a nice hiding place, but not as food. You will have problems with your tank water if you use any imitation grasses or plants made with metal wires or toxic elements, so beware of what the fake stuff is made out of. Make sure that the grass is especially manufactured for use in an aquarium and no other application.

Real grass on the other hand requires patient hands and eyes to maintain. It reacts to light, water temperature and the general activity of the aquarium. the live organisms in the tank like the rocks and coral as well as the other plants and the fish contantly interact with real grass in your aquarium. Your aquariums entire ecosystem benefits because it produces oxygen and soaks up carbon dioxide which helps stabilize your fish tank.

Being active, live grass can help break down bacteria and make the removal of waste more efficient, thus chemical filtration in your fish tank becomes almost unnecessary.

Real grass also provides organic food to fish especially the herbivore species that normally feed more often than the carnivore types. The grass needs special monitoring, care and maintenance as they may decay with time and that invites algae to grow, which can be toxic to your fish.

Live plants are also known to be carriers of possible pests and parasites in the tank, but for the benefit of the fish and for a healthier environment, let the grass grow and live. Once nibbled on by the fish, the grass may sometimes lose some of its beauty, but will still provide natural nutrients to the tank water. This is something not to worry about with fish tanks because even in their natural habitat in the wild, fish have always loved real grass for the nutrition it brings, the benefit of protection from predators and for spawning. Aquarium grasses like Willow Moss, Foxtail, Stonewort and Crystalwort are among the favourite plants for fish eggs, young live-bearers and baby fish.

As a decor, the grass can be the centrepiece. It may also serve as a foreground or background. The Four-Leaf Clover usually grows up to two inches high that it makes a pretty front grass, while the flowering Eel Grass and the Corkscrew are highly recommended as background grasses.

Grasses like the Salvinia and Duckweed are good top cover while the Micro-Sword Grass makes a magnificent foreground especially when coupled with a high intensity of light. In the same manner where light is a factor in enhancing the shape and color of the plant, varieties of Udwigia and Cryptocoryne are excellent choices. For Goldfish bowls, the Anacharis plant is a wonderful treat.

Using grass in your freshwater aquarium will add a nice look to your aquarium and provide your fish or whatever pets you have in your tank, with a pleasant and safe environment in which to live and breed in comfort.

Grass is grown from a few sources that are transferable to an aquarium thru a store which are, from the ground on grass farms or in pots or floats and also can come in solo blades or in bunches. With artificial grass, you only have to consider the shape and color in selecting the type that you will add. With real grass, you have to anticipate the size and appearance of the plant as it matures.

While both artificial grass and real grass have unique beauty, they have their pros and cons. The bottom-line is that it is still better to invest your money, effort and time for something that is real and is capable of completing the biological function of your aquariums mini-ecosystem.

Its a sound idea to get grass for your tank for the benefit of helping create an ecosystem in your aquarium but also , it gives a nice thick and rich look to your fish tank which will keep eyes locked on the scene and maybe make you a hero.

The Top Shopping Districts You Must Visit In Korea

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BARGAIN SHOPPING IN GANGBUK AREA
Namdaemun Market, which has been around for over 600 years, is a place for people to purchase various types of products at bargain prices. Within walking distance of the market is Myeong-dong, the busiest shopping district in Seoul. Because of its convenient location and popularity among international travelers, the Namdaemun Market and Myeongdong district have together become an international center for shopping. The Dongdaemun Market offers a totally different scene from Namdaemun: open from evening till dawn, the market offers a unique shopping experience unfound anywhere else. Here, visitors will find both local markets and large shopping malls where they can buy anything from fabric and lace to ready-made clothing and accessories.

Namdaemun Market
The largest market in Korea, with 600 years of history
Opened in 1964, the Namdaemun Market is the largest traditional market in Korea with various goods in store. All products are sold at affordable prices and the stores in this area also function as a wholesale market.

Most of the goods are made directly by the storeowners. Namdaemun Market opens from 11:00pm to 3:00am, and is crowded with retailers from all over the country. When day breaks, the site of busy Koreans bustling around th market, creates a unique scene that attracts tourists worldwide. The Namdaemun Market sells a variety of clothes, glasses, kitchenware, toys, mountain gear, fishing equipment, stationary, fine arts, accessories, hats, carpets, flowers, ginseng and imported goods.

Myeong-dong
Myeong-dong is a massive shopping district. Myeong-dong Street is around 1km long and extends from Myeong-dong Subway Station (Seoul Subway Line No. 4) to Lotte Department Store at Euljiro. All kinds of brand name shops and department stores are clustered along the streets and alleyways. You can purchase various products such as clothes, shoes, and accessories. Compared to Namdaemun or Dongdaemun, many good-quality brands are sold in Myeong-dong. Such stores include Lotte Department Store, Shinsegae Department Store, Myeong-dong Migliore, Noon Square and M Plaza. You can purchase good-quality products at the department stores or other fashionable products at reasonable prices at Migliore or Myeong-dong Clothes.. Moreover, all kinds of brand shops are densely located along the main street and lanes.

Myeong-dong also has family restaurants, fast food, and Korean, Western and Japanese food. Many restaurants in Myeong-dong specialize in pork cutlet and kalguksu (noodles). Other than restaurants, there are many convenient facilities such as hair salons, banks and theaters. Myeong-dong Catholic Church is also a famous tourist attraction. It is the first and main church ofCatholicism in Korea and was built in the Gothic style. Behind the church is a space where you can relax from long hours of touring.

Dongdaemun Market
The Dongdaemun Shopping Complex is one of Korea’s most representative markets and was founded on December 23, 1970 as the largest of its kind in Asia. In December in 1985, the Dongdaemun Shopping Town was established, and now the area encompasses five buildings in total (A, B, C, D and the Shopping Town). There are over 5,000 shops located in this district, selling various fabrics, materials, accessories, wedding products, and more. The fabric and clothing here are of the latest fashion trends in the world. Inventory is imported and exported in real time, making Dongdaemun a must-visit fashion market for everyone.

HIGH-END SHOPPING IN GANGNAM AREA
The Gangnam area is usually associated with high-end shopping. The districts of Sinsa-dong, Apgujeong-dong, and Cheongdam-dong are lined with designer brand fashion stores catering to the rich and famous. Garosugil in Sinsa-dong has a distinct, trendy ambience and is lined with charming cafs, restaurants, stores, and galleries. It is a great place to shop or just take a walk and look around. The fashion streets in Rodeo, Apgujeong-dong cater to those who are very serious about fashion and beauty. The area is lined with department stores featuring luxury designer brands and famous local and international designer shops. With luck, visitors can even spot Korean celebrities shopping in the area.

Sinsa-dong Garosugil Street
As the Korean name implies (Garosugil means “tree-lined street”), this street is famous for the trees, which line both sides of the 700m-long promenade. In summer, the trees’ luscious green leaves provide welcome shade for shoppers, and in autumn these ginkgo trees turn golden. This sophisticated, up-and-coming street is flanked with all sorts of trendy shops and European-style cafes. You can stroll along shopping at your own leisurely pace and then relax on caf terraces with coffee and a tasty desert.

Apgujeong Rodeo Street
The center for the latest fashion trends, luxury designer brands, and hair shops
Apgujeong Rodeo Street is the leading fashion mecca, formed as a cultural zone with a high propensity for consumption. It creates leading fashion trends, customer friendly shops, foreign brand name shops with high-quality goods, reasonably priced hip hop fashion shops, and accessory shops. There are many cafes with unique interior designs, as well as many Korean, Thai and Japanese restaurants. Beauty clinics are clustered on the streets and due to this atmosphere, Rodeo Street attracts many youngsters.
Recently, many theaters have moved from Chungmuro to the vicinity of “Rodeo Street,” which is emerging as a new theater space as well. Along with the opening of Multi-Plex Cine-City, more theaters such as Cinehouse, Cineplus, and Nanta Theater (non-speaking performances) have moved into the area, and it is now a full-blown cultural zone for youngsters. If you get lucky, you may meet famous Korean celebrities as they make frequent visits to the area.

COEX Mall
COEX Mall is the largest underground shopping center in Asia. It is located in the basement of the Korea World Trade Center, located in Samseong-dong in the Gangnam-gu area of Seoul. The colossal shopping center stretches from Samseong station (subway line 2) in the south all the way to Bongeunsa temple in the north, and is considered to be the best shopping and entertainment complex in the area.

The complex’s entertaining design takes the theme of Water Journey, and its main route is divided into the Summit Walk, Forest Walk, Lake Walk, Waterfall Walk, Canyon Walk, Riverside Walk, Tropic Walk and Ocean Walk. Despite the complex’s huge size, visitors need not worry about getting lost. By simply following the main route you will reach most parts of the complex, and there are also signs in English.

Along the main route, visitors will find the Lake food court with 16 restaurants (Korean, Chinese, Japanese and Western-style), the event court (where concerts and performances are staged), the Bandi & Luni’s bookstore (where you can find English books on Korean culture and history), and plenty of brand name stores. Visitors can find major international brands of leisure and sports clothing in a section of COEX mall that is operated by Hyundai Department Store.

There are also plenty of attractions for those visitors looking for a break from shopping. The Game Champ video arcade has 100 of the latest game devices, while the Megabox Cineplex has 16 theaters screening a wide selection of movies. Other popular attractions include the COEX Aquarium, with its water tunnel, and the Kimchi Museum, where visitors can learn everything they need to know about Korea’s favorite food, and even try some of it.