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When potential aquarists start looking into the possibility of starting their own salt water aquarium there is one thing which is often quite daunting – equipment.

There is a lot more equipment which is required in a salt water aquarium, especially a salt water reef aquarium.

Equipment requirements can be but not limited to :

* Heaters
* Water movement devices
* Lighting
* Protein skimmers
* Calcium reactors
* Filtration devices
* Auto top up devices
* Auto feeders
* Nitrate reducers
* Phosphate reducers
* Stirrers
* Reverse osmosis units
* Computer controllers
* And more…….

With all the information you need to know to start a successful salt water aquarium then only thing you realistically need to know about equipment is what they are for, what is a definitive requirement and what is not.

Of course all equipment is made by various manufacturers and this post cannot go into the detail as to which is the better manufacturer to use and why.

For the potential salt water aquarist who is not really that interested in technology and let’s face it not everyone is (except me!) and just wants a salt water aquarium in their home there is another way.

There are salt water aquarium packages which you can purchase. These salt water aquarium packages come in various shapes and sizes and combine everything you need in one handy take home package. The only thing which you will need with one of these packages is the water, salt, filtration and livestock itself. There are some salt water aquarium packages which even come with a reverse osmosis unit, some salt and man made filtration or natural filtration.

With these salt water aquarium packages you really do have everything you need. You simply purchase one, take it home (or have it delivered) set it up, add the salt water, go through the nitrogen cycle and then slowly stock it – easy eh!

The majority of these salt water aquarium packages keep the majority of the equipment either underneath the aquarium in the sump or in a specially designed rear panel which hides all the required equipment from view. The only trouble with the latter is that they do tend to remove a bit of the width of the tank – normally 3-4 inches. Personally if I was going to purchase a package like this I would opt for the sump one, but it really is up to personal choice.

Of course you do not need to go for a predetermined package deal you can approach your local fish shop and ask them to design you a salt water aquarium package. You will be surprised how many shops will accommodate this.

In closing if you are not interested in technology and purely want a salt water aquarium to look after and enjoy but do not want the hassle of purchasing all the required equipment separately then these salt water aquarium packages are certainly worth further investigation.

Carrying your dog around is almost like a fashion accessory these days. Celebrities like Nicky Hilton and her sister Paris were spotted at a cafe in New York dressing up their dogs with cute dog accessory. It is also a hit on runways of big cities like Paris, London and New York.

Besides being a fashion accessory, a dog carrier acts as a convenient way to transport your dog from one destination to another. These dog carriers comes in different sizes, shapes and styles. For example, if you would like to look sporty you can opt for dog shouler carriers, dog backpack carrier or dog stroller sports. Dog stroller sports are like any other baby strollers but it carries only pet like dogs and cats of course.

While the market carries so many of these dog carriers, which carrier you choose depends largely upon the breed and the size of your dog, and the lifestyle you wish to include your dog in. If you have a budget, there are a selection of different dog carriers in the market. Or if you can afford a better looking and a more comfortable dog carrier, you can look for dog designer carriers online or in your local pet store.

Here are a few things you must look for before buying a dog carrier.

1) Do a research and get as much information from the manufacturers or retailer before making your purchase. The three most important aspect you should look for are safety, comfort and security.

2) When shopping for a dog carrier you should also need to pay close attention to the size, length, and weight of your dog. Not all dog carriers will fit your dog perfectly. For instance, a big dog may not fit in the standard size strollers, backpack and designer dog carriers. Big dogs are normally better to be carried by crates . While on the other hand, small to medium size dogs may fit comfortably into any dog shoulder carriers, dog backpack carriers, or any carriers at all.

3) To know whether the carrier is right for your dog, the dog carrier must have adequate room to move around and yet not too big to allow him to move around inside especially if you intend to bring your dog for hiking and jogging.

4) It is also pivotal to know that your dog carrier has good ventilation because if you don’t, your dog may end up getting sick and dehydrated especially during hot summer days. Ensure they get plenty of fresh air when they are caged up in the crate or while they are being carried. Check for detachable shoulder straps, durability, rubberized fabric and four mesh viewing panels. And more importantly, check whether the dog carriers can  be cleaned easily.

While there are many expensive dog designer carriers available in the market, you can also find a lot of inexpensive dog stroller, dog shoulder carriers and dog stroller sports available in the market. Although they are slightly cheaper than those designer’s carriers, you can still look hip and cool carrying them around.

The Friesian Horse, one of Europe’s oldest domesticated breeds, originated in Friesland, a province of The Netherlands. It is considered to be a Warmblood because of its easy-going temperament with a companionable nature. The Friesian horse is also a talented show horse when it comes to dressage. This is due to its intelligence, willingness to learn and to please, and readiness to perform.

It is difficult to date the precise origin of the Friesian but it is believed to be descended from the ancient Equus robustus (big horse). Frisian horsemen served in the Roman Legions, e.g. the Equites Singulares of Emperor Nero (54-68), and in Great Britain near Hadrian’s Wall which was built in 120 AD. There is certainty that the horse was well-known in the Middle Ages since it is found in art work of that era. Breeding horses was very important for the Frisians and before the reformation, the monks in Friesland monasteries did a lot of horse breeding.

In the 1600’s it was adopted to carry heavy weight under saddle. During the 16th and 17th centuries, and maybe earlier, Arabian blood was introduced through the Spanish Andalusian horses. This gave them the high knee-action, the small head and the craning neck. The Friesian horse has had no influence from the English Thoroughbred and during the last two centuries it has been bred pure.

Through the centuries, the Friesian Government has made many regulations in order to safeguard breeding and now the Dutch Horselaw of 1939 (modified) gives rules for studbook and breeding. Systematic breeding has restored the breed’s quality and its numbers are now increasing. The horse is now being exported to other countries and its popularity is growing.

The Friesian horse was originally imported to North America in the 17th century but the purity of the breed was totally lost in North America due to crossbreeding because due to its splendid action at the trot, the Friesian was bred to be lighter in weight. This, unfortunately, limited its use in agriculture and led to its decline in the early 1900’s. It nearly died out before World War I, when the number of Friesian stallions was reputedly reduced to only three. The breed was rejuvenated by introducing the Oldenburg horse.

Thanks to a few Dutch Friesian admirers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, purebred Friesians are now seen and enjoyed around the world, with the majority being in the Netherlands and Germany, followed by North America where it was reintroduced in 1974. The result has been the establishment of “daughter” societies of FPS around the world.

In conformation, the Friesian horse resembles the ancient western European horse and the knights’ horse called destrier. Most memorable is their impressive stature. Friesian stallions must be at least 15.3 hands by age four with mares and geldings reaching at least 14.3 hands in order to be registered in the adult studbooks. Many are 16.0 hands or more, and weigh 1300 + pounds.

The fine head of the Friesian is carried quite high on an elegantly curved neck with outstanding crest, but compared to the body, the head seems relatively small and either straight or slightly concave. The face is expressive with big eyes, and small ears are typical. The breed has a broad chest with lightly accentuated croup. Tough legs with good bone structure, and hind quarters that are muscular yet smooth, result in an enduring and surefooted horse.

The modern Friesian has long, heavy, luxuriant mane and the extra-long tail; these are never cut and often reach the ground. The breed also has abundant feather and long Shire-like leg hair reaching from the middle of the leg. When performing, these features combine with the feathers and the low set of the tail to emphasize the breed’s powerful and elastic gait.

Up until the turn of the century about twenty percent were chestnut or bay, and gray also occurred in the breed, but black is now the only recognized color, but this may range from very dark brown or black-bay to true black. Many Friesians appear to be black bay when their coats are shedding or when they have become sun or sweat bleached. White markings have been minimized by selective breeding and the only white marking that is allowed on a studbook-registered horse is a small white spot or star between the eyes.

The Friesian has a powerful, high-stepping gait, but aside from its high knee action and elegant performance, the Friesian horse was also used as a trotting race horse for the short distance of 80 rods (325 m). In the 18th and 19th centuries these horse races were very popular in Friesland. For important races the prize was a silver or a gold whip. The Friesian Museum at Leeuwarden has a fine collection of them. The races at Leeuwarden ended in 1891 when H.M. Queen Regent Emma awarded the golden whip for the last time.

The Friesian horse influenced the breeding of the Russian Orloff, along with English and American race horses. Since these horses were bred and used for racing only and were faster, this brought Friesian horseracing to an end.

The modern Friesian is slightly taller and lighter on its feet than its coach-bred ancestors, which has allowed the Friesian to re-emerge as both a champion dressage and driving performance horse.

Driving one or more Friesian horses has become increasingly popular in the past few years. Harness events in shows are usually driven with a high-wheeled gig called the “sjees”, for singles, pairs, and tandems. The oldest original sjees were built in the late 18th century. The sjees derives its elegant form from the two slender, high wheels and the small seat suspended between them on leather straps. The two-person seat has ornately molded, carved, and painted panels, back, front, and sides, with a bit of a Rubenesque look to it. An especially impressive show is the Friesian quadrille which is comprised of 8 sjees, drawn by Friesians, driven by gentlemen accompanied by a lady, both dressed in traditional 1850’s costumes. Complex patterns are driven, showing the drivers’ trust in the obedience of their horses. Driving with four-wheeled show carts is also becoming popular.

The Friesian Horse Association of North America (FHANA) was founded in 1983 and is the North American representative of the original Friesian horse association, Friese Paarden Stamboek (FPS). The FPS is recognized as the world-wide authority on the Friesian Horse. This studbook is the oldest in the Netherlands. It was founded May 1, 1879. There are more than 45,000 Friesians registered worldwide in the FPS with approximately 4,000 of those horses in North America. Tongue-tattooing, once voluntary, became mandatory in 1989.

The rules of FHANA strictly forbid the breeding of FPS registered Friesian horses with other breeds and only Approved Studbook Stallions can sire horses that are eligible for entry in the main studbook registers. There are approximately 75 Approved Stallions in the world today and about a quarter of those are in North America. The selection and testing requirements are so rigorous that only a handful is approved each year. Four years after approval, the stallion’s offspring must demonstrate to the studbook inspectors that the Approved stallion is making a positive impact on the breed or his approval will be withdrawn. This insures that only the very best stallions will influence the future of the Friesian horse.

The naming conventions for the Friesian Horses are quite involved and often require a foal to be renamed with a Friesian word when it becomes an approved breeding stallion. Names of fillies cannot be duplicated in the same calendar year, but its ok for colts to have the same name as other colts. Each calendar year a foal’s name must begin with specific letters of the alphabet as designated by the FPS. For example, names for foals born in 2008 must begin with the letters A, B, or C, and should be relatively simple, consisting of a single word. Explicit details for all naming rules can be found on the FPS website.

The Friesian horse is equally skilled at multi-level dressage, trotting, and driving, singly or combined. The same blood lines that run through the Lipizzaner are present in the Friesian, but unlike some other European warmbloods, Friesians have not been bred as jumpers.

Owning a large dog can be a wonderful experience. These dogs can be fun and bring endless joy to the family. Unfortunately, these loving family members can also let their size work against them and cause unintentional damage when they get too excited or too curious. A good solution for many people is to invest in a large dog kennel. This can be your dog’s own special space. Both you and he (or she) will be able to relax knowing that there isn’t much harm that can be done in their living space.

There are some special things you need to consider when purchasing a large dog kennel. Primarily you need to make sure that your large dog kennel will stand up to the strength of your family friend. The door/gate area is of particular concern since it must be able to stand up to the strength of a large dog pushing against it. Many dogs are capable of mastering simple latches so your tall fellow needs a latch that is a little more challenging than a typical swing gate latch.

Your large dog kennel must be installed securely to ensure that it will not collapse or come loose at the side connections. The proper installation will include being secured to the ground. The preferred method is to install it on a concrete slab with the posts security anchored either in the ground or in concrete. Not only will an escaping dog cause you headaches, a collapsing structure can cause injury to your dog.

You need to consider how much time you expect your dog to spend in his kennel when deciding how large it should be. A dog should never be confined in a small space for extended periods of time. Your pet needs room to stretch and exercise. This is the reason that many large dog kennels are also referred to as runs. You should always include some type of roof covering. This will ensure that your dog is protected from the elements and the hot sun.

The cost of your large dog kennel will depend on the size and configuration you choose. Most people find that the investment is well worth it. This one time cost will save you the cost of replacing damaged furniture, carpeting, or landscaping! A large dog kennel can also be installed for far less than fencing your entire yard.

Large dog kennels are readily available as modular systems where you purchase the number of panels you need to suit your design. Many people find that a square or rectangular configuration works best but you can arrange your large dog kennel in any number of ways. Door panels with a variety of different types of latches are available to work with these modular set-ups.

Regardless of the shape or size of your large dog kennel, if you make sure that your large dog kennel is properly constructed and your materials are adequate, your large breed dog will have a safe haven to call it’s own and you will have the peace of mind of knowing that this special family member is not getting into trouble when you aren’t looking