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12 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday August 9, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com The facts on fish as pets Reduce Reuse Recycle F What's keeping you from having your dream kitchen? Consider these time, mess & cost saving options... a. Renew your cabinets with our unique "Tune-up". Our exclusive process restores and repairs the finish on wood cabinets (and any other woodwork in your home) to 90-95%. Time: 1 day Mess: almost none Cost: a fraction of replacement. ish are an appealing choice for a busy family. In addition to the limited setup costs (between $200-$250), the ongoing expense of feeding are low. Financially, fish make a great choice, but there are other facts you should know. Cats and dogs adjust to their environment, but fish rely on pet owners to set up an environment in which they can live. Once that environment is set up properly and maintained, you will be able to house a happy, healthy home for your fish. The resulting tranquil effect is a welcome part of ownership. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recommends that you use a 20gallon tank as a minimum size. Other start-up costs should include a filter and air pump, stand, light and cover, gravel, plants and fish food. Because they are easy to care for, cold-water fish are a recommended choice for first timers. You will not require a heater in your tank, as you would for tropical fish, but you will need to ensure water quality with a powerful filtration system. The most popular cold-water fish by far are goldfish. With more than 100 different breeds, it may be difficult to choose just one. Alternate cold-water choices include the Weather Loach, bronze or brown bottom feeder, Buenos Aires or Bloodfin Tetras, or Danios. When you set up your tank, set it on a sturdy table, stand or counter in a place that is convenient to a sink or water source. Choose your tank location carefully. Moving a 20-gallon tank filled with water and gravel weighs more than 200 pounds. Before filling the tank, make sure that it is not in a location where there is direct sunlight or heating and cooling vents, which causes difficulty controlling water temperature and may cause excessive algae growth. Once the tank location is chosen, rinse the gravel with water and place it in the tank. Set up the filtration system, and add rocks, wood and other tank decorations. Create places for fish to hide: a clean cracked flowerpot placed upside down, plastic plants, or rocks arranged like a cave all make good options. Filtration is a final critical step before putting water in your tank. Without filtration, fish waste can poison the water and your pets. Choose a filter -- box, undergravel, outside -- based upon tank size and the way you want to clean your tank. Fill the tank with clean tap water. Test water for alkaline and acidity. Ask staff at your aquarium store about what your fish needs to keep healthy. Let the water stand for a several days to a week before introducing fish. Finish off your set-up with a light source for your fish. A combination aquarium cover/light fixture will limit water evaporation and prevent anything falling in the tank or fish from jumping out. A fluorescent fixture will provide full-spectrum lighting, show off your fish and support plant growth. It should be on a 12 hours-on, 12 hours-off schedule. Fish come home from the store in a bag filled with water. Float the bag in your aquarium for 15-20 minutes to allow the temperature of the water in the bag to become the same as in the tank. Carefully open the bag and let the fish swim out on its own. To learn more, contact an aquarium retailer or the Oakville Humane Society at 905-845-1551. b. Reface You may already own half of your new kitchen! If your cabinet boxes are in good shape, why pay to replace them? Choose from the largest selection of door styles and finishes available anywhere. See our website for ideas. Time: typically 2-4 days Mess: we clean every day and you never lose use of your kitchen Cost: 40-60% less than the cost of a new kitchen PLUM fresh innovative We believe that our combination of fresh seasonal ingredients, culinary expertise, caring service, experience and event planning will take your event from ordinary to extraordinary. YOUR CORPORATE CATERING SPECIALISTS If you choose to Reface, we can change many other things you don't like about your kitchen. Add an island, pantry, molding or even new cabinets to match the refaced cabinets. Time: usually 3-5 days Mess: low disruption, thoroughly cleaned daily, often no loss of use Cost: considerably less than replacement d. Replace Sometimes it's the only way to get what you need. Our Designers will help you create a new custom kitchen that perfectly reflects your personal taste, goals and budget. e. Don't forget the countertop: With so many exciting options available, we will help you to select the right countertop to put the finishing touch on your dream kitchen. Free Design Consultation & Estimate 905.637.3331 Showroom 3480 Fairview St., Burlington (Hours: 10-6 pm M-F, Saturday 11-3) Eight "Trustpoints" set Kitchen Tune-Up apart. We guarantee our estimates - guarantee our work - arrive on time - clean work areas daily - return messages within 24 hours - strive for harmony with your daily routine - tell you what we're going to do before we do it - listen carefully, tell it straight and keep our promises. As one of Oakville's leading caterers, we offer catering for: · corporate events · corporate luncheons · private parties · ground breaking · grand openings kitchentuneup.com Kitchen Tune-Up, a division of KTU Worldwide, Inc. is a system of more than 300 independently owned and operated franchises 905-844-7110 467 Speers Road Unit #15, Oakville www.plumcatering.ca info@plumcatering.ca www.oakvillebeaver.com c. Re-style Turn the kitchen you have into the one you want.