u/NeedsMustTravel

I got a free desk off of Facebook marketplace, but the wires were pulled out of their internal connectors to the controller. Nothing looks actually broken just disconnected. I looked for a wiring diagram online, but could not find one. Is there a way to tell which direction to put the wires in? I assume they go in the same order as the plug, but depending on which direction I am looking at the clip/insert, it could go in reverse and I don’t want to fry it. Worst case scenario I buy a replacement, but if I don’t have to spend the 50 bucks, I’d rather not.

This is the compatible replacement model. “KDH064-303B Switch for Lifting Desk with 6 Buttons, 10-Pin Crystal Plug & Display”

I am a renter, but my Landlord is pretty chill and lets me do what I want, within reason, with the raised garden beds. This bed has a little bit of dirt in it, but would need about 60 ft.³ to fill it up to a depth that I could plant in. I’ve priced dirt and no matter where I look it ends up being around $300. Does anyone have suggestions for a less expensive means to get this bed prepped and planted with low maintenance plants (I.e. minimal watering once established)? Ideally blooming this year, but I’d consider throwing in the wildflower seeds for next year. It’s south facing and gets full afternoon sun, but shaded earlier in the day.

So, here's the platter I posted about a few weeks ago with the concern that it wouldn't come off the ware board. It came off very easily on its own. BUUUUUUTTTT had a small stress crack on one end that I tried to repair before bisque (photo one). It persisted but didn't get worse. However, a large crack across most of the width showed up after bisque on the other side. It was at the spot where two ware board pieces were placed together because there wasn't one big enough to fit the whole length, and that created a hinge which bent the piece during moving it. I tried to re-compress the area but it didn't hold. Completely split in glaze firing. It actually had dried and didn't show any cracks in that area before bisque and I really think it was more to do with having bent at that spot. The glaze came out nice, though not quite what I had aimed for. It is a combo I will try again (Laguna Desert Sand, Honey Flux, Light Sepia on the ridges and handles, Coyote Satin White liner on the compartments).

I will most likely remake the piece with some minor tweaks like making it a bit thinner (it is soooooo heavy!). Overall I'm disappointed, but happy to see it would have been beautiful if it had survived. Le sigh.

I purchased these all as galaxy otocinclus but I am pretty sure three of them are not the same species. Even if stressed or pale, they don’t have the spots and have a different body shape than the ones that are clearly galaxy otos. Can anyone comment on a potential species ID? I know the pictures are not great, I tried for several minutes to get better and this is the best I could get. If they’re not clear enough to make ID, then if someone could point me towards something reliable that includes Parotocinclus haroldi that would be great. I have seen the Reddit post with a species comparison chart but it doesn’t include this species or anything that looks like the ones in question.

THIS IS A VERY TEMPORARY HOLDING/QUARANTINE TANK (with heater, air stone, plants, filter removed for pics). No need to tank shame. They’re going into a 33g community as soon as I can decide if I need to contact the shop about an exchange. I will never catch them once they’re released.

Soooooooo, I forgot to put paper between the slab and the ware board and now it’s leather hard and I’m afraid that I won’t be able to get it off! Better to try to wire it off now, wait til it’s totally greenware dry and pry, use some other tool? I still need to add handles to it which might make lifting it easier but I’d worry about breaking those when green. The thinnest part of the bottom is at least 1/4”-1/2” but I’ve had terrible luck with wiring things off lately and going through my bottoms, and I worry about that on such a big piece. Any other tips or tricks?

It makes me so happy to look at these beautiful things! Next project is cataloguing everything and getting labels or tags made. Although I’m on the fence, as I like the clean look of a display without them. Maybe just photos and an Excel spreadsheet with relevant info will do….

I have some Flagstone pavers with approximately 2 to 3 inch gaps that were previously filled with smooth river rock but all of the rocks have come up and there are gaps of sandy dirt now. It’s on an immediately south facing side that gets at least six, probably 8+ hours of direct sun during the Summer. I was thinking of adding some creeping ground cover to fill the cracks. The number of plants I would need is going to be kind of expensive, so I was considering seeds if I can find them. Does anyone have any comments on starting this, or similar, species from seed? Or specific comments on this species and how well it does with regards to ease of care, water needs, and rate of growth? I may have the option of using a drip system in this part of the yard, but I am not sure I have enough pressure to supply this as well as my raised beds. With the expected water restrictions I am hoping to have to minimally water once it gets established.