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DOE Undersecretary for Nuclear Security and NNSA Administrator Frank Klotz recently presented the Gold Medal of Excellence for Distinguished Service to Doug Dearolph, manager of the Savannah River Field Office. The medal is the highest honorary award granted by NNSA and was presented to Dearolph in recognition his dedication and commitment to public service and the mission of NNSA.
The award reads: "Your leadership, communication and organizational skills ensured stability and continuity of operations during a time of organizational transformation in the Office of Defense Nuclear Security, NA-70. Your unwavering service for more than six months at Headquarters as the Acting Deputy Associate Administrator, NA-70 and then as Acting Associate, NA-70/Chief, Defense Nuclear Security has not only significantly benefited the Office but the entire NNSA. Through your personal sacrifice, support and leadership of the Defense Nuclear program, you have contributed immeasurably to the overall security of the NNSA and the United States of America."
Y‑12ers donated more than $2,000 and numerous school supplies to ensure students in need have everything required to start the school year. Working with Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC), employees donated money along with 144 notebooks, 132 boxes of crayons, 111 packs of pencils, 80 reams of paper and 66 packs of glue sticks.
"Employees once again shared their giving spirit with those in our communities," Y‑12 United Way Chair Yvonne Bishop said. While the event precedes the site's formal United Way campaign kickoff, Bishop said site employees always are ready to respond. ADFAC volunteers use the donations to provide backpacks and school supplies to fulfill more than 7,000 requests for assistance.
"What struck me the most was the passion the volunteers had for their mission. Even with the number of children they serve, each one of the backpacks was customized," CNS Vice President and Y‑12 Site Manager Bill Tindal said. "They took into account the teacher supply list, the gender, the age of the child, and the school system and filled the backpack with specifically what that child needed."
ADFAC, which began in the 1980s, works to meet the unfilled needs of community members. To find out more about ADFAC, visit their website (www.adfac.org) or call 865-483-6028.
About the photo: CNS Security Police Officer John Fellers (left) and Y-12 Site Manager Bill Tindal deliver school supplies to the Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties office.
More than 100 individuals from several National Security Campus teams received recognition this week for their work supporting NNSA's Defense Programs.
Mike Roberts, KCFO Manager of Stockpile Management, presented the awards in a special ceremony on September 22 to the six teams, including the B61-12 Spin Rolamite Harvesting and Reuse Team; B83 Alt353 Production Team; Common Tester Architecture Design Team; DLC Coating Development Team; Forgings Development Team; and Preflight Case Assembly Team. The seventh award went to NSC engineer Wesley Mossinghoff for his design of a new Zero Insertion Force connector for inertial switches.
The awards recognize on an annual basis the contributions of work performed in support of the Stockpile Stewardship Program. The awards are given for significant achievements in quality, productivity, cost savings, safety or creativity in support of the nuclear weapons program.
OneVoice, the employee/community newsletter for the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS), was recognized recently with two awards in the 2014 Better Newspapers Contest, sponsored by the Nevada Press Association.
OneVoice Co-editor Lory Jones received a first-place award in the category of Community Journalism for weekly or monthly newspapers with circulations of 10,000 or less for her December 2013 story on the volunteer efforts of NNSS employees during the holidays. OneVoice Layout Design Editor David Wieand received a second-place award, also in the Community Journalism category, for his September 2013 design of a special "back-to-school" section of the newspaper.
Both Jones and Wieand are employed by National Security Technology, the managing and operating contractor for the NNSS. They competed against staff members from dozens of weekly and monthly newspapers from across Nevada. The contest attracted hundreds of entries which were independently judged by a panel of newspaper editors from South Dakota.
The Y‑12 National Security Complex recently completed another improvement in its site infrastructure with the demolition of Building 9744, a former utilities and maintenance facility occupying more than 9,000 square feet.
Despite structural issues and waste disposal concerns, the facility was safely demolished nearly two months ahead of schedule.
The demolition proved challenging due to the deteriorating facility conditions, precluding the standard approach of entering the facility to minimize hazards and remove hazardous waste prior to the demolition.
Read more.
The Bradbury Science Museum in Los Alamos, N.M., recently unveiled a new interactive exhibit featuring the rich history and current research in archaeology, wildlife biology, local climate and sustainability efforts at Los Alamos National Laboratory.
The exhibit, "Environmental Research and Monitoring," shows in posters, interactive elements and videos LANL's compliance work and research into the diverse archaeological and biological resources found here, as well as local climate research and LANL's environmental sustainability activities. It also shows how current LANL research into tree mortality is giving clues to how global climate change will affect the local area, and lets visitors learn about energy savings activities at LANL.
Read more.
Gerald Martinez of Environmental Stewardship Services listens to a description of the new environment exhibit at the Bradbury Science Museum.
Families attend the new environment exhibit opening at the Bradbury Science Museum.
A standing wall at the Nake'muu Pueblo archaeological site on LANL property.
During opening night, visitors were giving a seedling to take home and plant.
As students return to school this fall, many will have great stories to tell about their summer internship and experience. For seven students who attended the National Nuclear Security Administration's (NNSA) annual Minority Serving Institution Program (MSI), that is particularly true.
During the summer, these seven students with varying backgrounds in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics who attend different minority serving institutions got to spend 10 weeks working across various parts of NNSA labs, field offices and program offices. The students gained practical experiences, directly correlated to their education, inspiring many with the ambition to join the federal workforce in the future.
For Connor Natzke, an undergraduate student at Colorado School of Mines pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics, the MSI program exposed him to the unique and innovative work conducted at the NNSA. Furthermore, he was able to continue a long-standing family tradition, given that both of his grandfathers had previously worked for defense contractors.
Image Background Caption: Connor by the Z Machine | Air-gas breakdown when Z Machine at Sandia National Laboratories fires.
Connor's perspective:
When I began my summer internship at the NNSA, I had no idea what the organization accomplished, or the role of the federal government in managing our national labs. The college I attend did not have a substantial NNSA presence during its annual on-campus job fairs, instead being overshadowed by the plethora of petroleum, mechanical, and chemical engineering companies. As a result, my time spent at the NNSA opened my mind to the state-of-the-art work being done, the hard-working employees that compose the agency and their commitment to fulfilling NNSA's mission.
Given that both of my grandfathers worked for defense contractors during the height of the Cold War, my family instilled in me a certain sense of patriotism. We have always supported the defense industry in the United States, and I have longed to be a part of it since I began my studies in engineering. To that end, the summer opportunity at NNSA gave me the chance to experience the mission first hand. I've also gained tangible insight into the steps I would need to take in my pursuit for a career in nuclear field. During my internship, my coworkers were extremely helpful in teaching me how the federal government functions, and also showed me just how tight knit the working relationships at NNSA is. Every person I encountered showed a deep rooted passion for their job, and pride in the work that they do on behalf of the United States. I am extremely grateful to have been a part of the organization and now look forward to working in the nuclear industry upon completion of my degree.
Maurice's perspective:
As a graduate student at Florida A&M University pursuing a Masters in Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering, the MSI program gave me the opportunity to utilize my academic experience in Quality Control and ISO 9000.
I was placed in the Office of Audit Coordination and Internal Affairs. Upon starting the internship, I was initially unsure of what to expect from a federal government agency with nuclear responsibilities. Then, to throw in the acronym usage which I now know is common within the federal environment, I was met with a steep learning curve. Nevertheless, I overcame that obstacle with the assistance of my co-workers, who ensured I was equipped with the necessary learnings to get up to speed.
Through the internship, I learned how various multifaceted parts of the department – labs and program offices contribute to the overall nuclear mission at NNSA. This experience afforded me the opportunity to work on exciting projects while also partaking in learning modules and other online training programs that facilitated the transition into the federal work system. Having experienced the MSI program firsthand, I highly recommend it to future students. It is likely the best opportunity possible to truly experience and understand the federal government, and gain practical work experience.
During our time in the program, students got the opportunity to interact with NNSA senior level management in various departments, including the Department of Energy's Under Secretary for nuclear security and NNSA Administrator Frank Klotz, and the Associate Administrator for External Affairs, Clarence Bishop.
Frank Lowery, Deputy Associate Administrator for Management and Budget also worked with and mentored the students. His involvement motivated us to pursue federal careers as we select our prospective employers in the future.
About the MSI Program
The MSI Internship Program offers undergraduate or graduate student attending a participating Minority Serving Institution the opportunity to explore future careers, through practical work experiences directly related to their academic background at world-class scientific facilities or Federal offices across the country. Prospective students are afforded a real opportunity to combine their studies with on-the-job training and experience as it directly relates to their academic program, so that they can make more informed career choices in the future. For 10 weeks during the summer break, they are given the opportunity to work on exciting projects in research environments with some of the nation's top scientists and engineers at NNSA's laboratories, Federal field offices or with small business partners.
For information on eligibility requirements and applying for these positions, please visit MSI Vacancies.
Dozens of government agencies, area businesses and other organizations recently offered classes, demonstrations and displays during the third annual Safety Fest TN. Most of the activities took place at Y‑12's New Hope Center and were organized by the Oak Ridge Business Safety Partnership with CNS serving as one of the event sponsors.
The Secret City Fire Officer Conference was also held at Y-12 last week in conjunction with Safety Fest. The Conference sponsored by the Y‑12 Fire Department, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory Fire Department, and the fire departments of Oak Ridge, Knoxville, Maryville and Alcoa.
Medal of Honor recipients Herschel "Woody" Williams (USMC, WWII, Iwo Jima), Ron Rosser (US Army, Ponggilli, Korea) and Wesley Fox (USMC, Quang Tri, Vietnam) were welcomed by CNS President Jim Haynes (far left) and NNSA Production Office Manager Steve Erhart (far right) at the Medal of Honor Town Hall Forum held at Y-12's New Hope Center last week.
The three recipients discussed their experiences and answered questions from the public. Williams and Rosser also toured the Y-12 National Security complex with Haynes and Y-12 Historian Ray Smith. The group visited 9731, Y-12's pilot plant during the Manhattan Project, and the south ridge of the site.


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Just a dash of a quality bitters can turn a cocktail from humdrum to haunting. Based in Ontario's Niagara wine region, Dillon's distills grapes from local vineyards using custom copper pot stills made specially for them in Germany. The neutral base is then infused with carefully selected botanicals, grown locally where possible and dried and prepared by the distillers themselves, using absolutely no artificial flavors or colors. Each bitters is crafted by hand, one batch at a time. This set includes three of their signature bitters.
DSB Bitters, redolent of sour cherry, orange and clove, is an all-purpose addition to classic cocktails like the Manhattan.
Cranberry Bitters complements the bright, tart flavor of cranberries with notes of anise.
Pear Bitters adds a zesty note to the sweetness of ripe pears and vanilla.

subset: commoncrawl


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Yesterday was the fifth annual Louisville Concours d'Elegance, benefitting Kosair Children's Hospital after Brooklawn Child & Family Services handed over the reins late last year, a result of funding cuts by the commonwealth that had taken its toll on Brooklawn's managing efforts. The transfer to Kosair came about due to the strong relationship between the two charities, as many of Brooklawn's children enter their campus from the free-standing children's hospital.
Porsche Racing and Cadillac were the two featured marques in this year's running, with cars ranging from a 1967 Eldorado -- owned and driven by one of its designers, Wayne Cady -- and a 1903 Cadillac Model A, to a 1972 Porsche 911S twice-championed in the IMSA GTU Class by the late father of Concours Chairman Rob Davenport, Dick Davenport, and a 1966 Porsche 910 that took its class in Le Mans while Ferrari and Ford fought it out for the overall title.
Fourteen judged classes featuring various makes from Europe and the United States, ranging from the turn of the 20th Century to the early 1970s, competed for their respective titles, as well as for People's Choice and Best in Show. The top finishers included vintage racers, barn finds, and American muscle, with the overall winner going to a Rolls-Royce commissioned by none other than the late German-American actress Marlene Dietrich.
Special displays this year included an assembly of WWII machinery from the U.S. and Nazi Germany, an assortment of vintage fire trucks, and a camping trailer from 1948. Outside of the main event, exhibitors displayed everything from Mustangs and Cobras to Corvettes and Alfas, while Brown Cadillac, Blue Grass Motorsports, and Korbel offered their wares to the attendees.
The 2013 edition of the Louisville Concours d'Elegance will be held from the 4th through the 6th of October.
Photos: Louisville.com/Cameron Miquelon


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ID theft remains a crucial problem in todays electronic world and it seems to be getting worse. For many people, the information age has been one of convenience and wonder but a new study from a professor at the University of East Anglia in Norfolk, UK suggests that ID theft is more frequent thanks to that wonder.
So head to your favorite clothing store and youre buying new clothes for the kids to start the school year. Youve spent $400 but youve gotten some nice things and youre checking out. You head to the counter, hand them youre credit card. They swipe the card, hand it back to you, and provide you with the receipt to sign. Everything seems as normal. The problem is you never signed your credit card on the back and they didnt ask for identification to verify you are who you say you are.
Now, imagine the trip to the grocery store after the your school clothes trip. You spend another $250. You head to the check out and grab your check/debit card. You draw a blank for a moment and forget your number so the clerk, being nice, just swipes the card and you sign for it. They didnt check for a signature nor did they ask for ID again.
Now, you debit card disappears. You couldve sworn you left it in another purse or pair of pants but its a couple of days before you notice its gone. Someone else went to another clothing store and another grocery doing the same things you did and no one asks them for ID either. As technology gets easier, people become less involved with checking and following up on these types of things and thats just what criminologist Dr. Emily Finch of the University of East Anglia is talking about in her research.
Dr. Finch plans to speak to the BA Festival of Science in Dublin on Wednesday to present her findings. She claims one ID technologies, chip and pin isnt nearly so secure, saying it isnt really an improvement at all because criminals adapt their tactics to get around them.
She told the BBC, "What fraudsters know about is human nature. They know about people, they know how we operate, and they know how relationships of trust in which information is disclosed develop."
She says this leads to all kinds of problems because then, these thieves get the relevant financial information and use it to apply for credit cards, loans, etc. using the stolen identification.
There are already tons of ID theft problems out there. Banks lose information all the time. They lose it during shipping, they have employees sell the information or sometimes the leave the information where they shouldnt and it is inadvertently stolen.
The problem with this particular form of ID theft is that many times, this could be prevented the first time the card is used. There are places where its a problem like at gas stations when you pay at the pump and ATM machines that dont always require PINs. Most places though, when people use credit cards, if the clerks would just check the ID, it would be a problem.
Chip and pin is relatively new at this point but if theres financial incentive to steal the appropriate information (and there is), then thieves will find a way to make it work. It will help alleviate the problem in the short term but it will recur. Dr. Finch suggest much of this could be avoided with more vigilance on the part of all involved.
It is interesting though, a friend mentioned recently he went to a well known bookseller. He recently paid for his purchase with a personal check (rare I know) and the clerk requested an ID. He promptly pointed out that theyve never asked for an ID when he was using checks and they said they see the ID on the card. But how often do the check it really?
The age of technology and information is awesome but at the same time a little frightening. As more and more people become familiar with this form of technology and as our country is moving toward its own national identification system via the REAL-ID, its absolutely imperative that this information be more secure and better protected, even if it means the clerk at your favorite retailer takes an extra 30 seconds to verify who you are.


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In Washington, laws concerning probate, wills, trusts and guardianship are found in Title 11 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW).
After someone dies, their money and property (called the estate) must be distributed to their heirs. When supervised by the courts, this process is called probate. Probate is not always necessary, but in some situations, probate may be required. Probate may be preferable when you must pay debts, claims, or taxes, or if you anticipate disagreement over dividing the estate.
A will is a legal document that determines what happens to your property after your death. A will states who receives property and in what amounts. Property distributed under the terms of the will become the probate estate. In addition to distributing or transferring property, a will may have other functions such as to name a guardian for any minor children or to create a trust on behalf of children or others.
The purpose of depositing a will with the clerk is to provide a safe place for the will. It is not required by law that a will be deposited with the clerk. The acceptance of a will for safekeeping by the clerk in no way ensures the validity of any provision contained in the will, nor does acceptance in any way enhance the force or effect of the will. The will deposited with the clerk is a sealed document before the testator dies and cannot be released except to the testator upon proper identification. Any person, including an attorney in fact or guardian of the testator, may withdraw the original will so filed only upon court order. Upon request and presentation of a certified copy of the testator's death certificate, the will may become a matter of public record.
A trust is an agreement under which money or other assets are held and managed by one person for the benefit of another. Different types of trusts may be created to accomplish specific goals. Each kind may vary in the degree of flexibility and control it offers. The common benefits that trust arrangements offer include: providing personal and financial safeguards for family and other beneficiaries; postponing or avoiding unnecessary taxes; establishing a means of controlling or administering property; and meeting other social or commercial goals.
The court appoints guardians for people who lack the capacity to make or communicate decisions because of mental or physical disability. While the goal of a guardianship is to protect, people under guardianship can lose many important rights, including the right to vote, the right to drive, the right to decide where they will live, and the right to decide how their money will be used.
Spokane County's Superior Court Judges are committed to keeping incapacitated people safe from abuse and exploitation. The Spokane County Superior Court Guardianship Monitoring Program was implemented to monitor guardians' handling of the ongoing care and financial affairs of incapacitated citizens under Spokane County's court-supervised guardianships.
Several websites provide good background information:


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Cassie's Garden Deep-Cleansing Mud Mask
No longer available
Play in the mud. This Deep Cleansing Mud Mask is made from Dead Sea mud and natural clays that draw out toxins. The mud is especially rich in magnesium, sodium, potassium and calcium and has been linked to various health benefits. Dead Sea mud masks are known for improving the skin's elasticity and minimizing pores, wrinkles and lines.
Purifying face mask.
1 oz.
No parabens, sulfates or heavy metals.
See Dimensions + Care for ingredients.
Made in the USA.


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HOGS haul holiday cheer for area children
Published: Sunday, December 2, 2012 at 5:23 p.m.
Last Modified: Sunday, December 2, 2012 at 5:23 p.m.
Chiya Ayala knew what she wanted from old St. Nick.
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"I want a horsie and toys from Santa Claus," the 4-year-old said, covetously eyeing a table piled high with plush stuffed ponies waiting to be claimed by the 170 children who had been invited to attend the Harley Owners Group Toys Run on Ocala's downtown square on Sunday.
Chiya was not disappointed. She not only got her pony, she walked away with a My Sweet Love doll and a Lalaloopsy Littles medical set thanks to the generosity of the bikers and their passengers, who each brought a toy or donated $5 to provide a day of fun for kids who receive social services from Kimberly's Cottage, Camelot or Marion County Children's Alliance.
The more than 500 bikers who participated not only provided the loot, they provided the excitement. The bikers rode as a group from Harley-Davidson of Ocala off U.S. 441, another sponsor, to the downtown square. They roared on their shiny bikes escorted by police with sirens blaring and pulled up to the square providing a grand entrance for Santa Claus. Santa and Mrs. Claus, pulled up the rear on a glistening red Harley-Davidson bike ready to hand out the goodies to a square full of waiting children.
Before they arrived, though, the kids were treated to hot dogs, chips and drinks furnished by the city of Ocala, whose Recreation and Parks Department also entertained the kids with games. Recreation and Parks' Felicia Maxwell was supervising the jumbo checkers game and bean bag tic-tac-toe while other kids jumped clumsily in sack races and threw horseshoes, while anticipating you-know-who's arrival. Forest High School's ROTC members provided helping hands as well.
Elyza Guerrios, 5, who attends kindergarten at South Ocala Elementary, and her baby sister, Arianna Torres, 3 months, were there with their mom, Melissa Garcia.
"She's excited to see Santa," Garcia said about Elyza.
Steven Lewis, 6, who attends Oakcrest Elementary, was enjoying the motorcycles.
"Cool," he exclaimed.
His favorite was a blue Harley decorated with blue flames.
Steven was there with his sister, Cathryn Lewis, 7, another Oakcrest Elementary student, and his uncle, Shaon Zimmerman.
"See the ponies over there? That's what I want," Lewis said.
The ponies, all donated by Wells Fargo, were a hit. John Rising, a volunteer, was relaying the ponies to Santa as fast the jolly man could hand them out, after posing for photos with Mrs. Claus and each child.
"The adults want them," Rising said about the ponies. "We have to tell them they are for the kids."
Hundreds and hundreds of toys were displayed, from which from which each child was able to choose.
HOGS members Steve "Porkchop" Cookinham and Bea Newhart said any leftover toys would be given to other charitable organizations in the Ocala/Marion County Community.
Calvin Durden, president of the Get Ghost motorcycle club, said this was the first time his group had participated in the event. Get Ghost was the largest club that participated on Sunday and the club walked away with a plaque recognizing its contribution.
"I love it," Durden said about the event, as giddy children, their arms loaded with toy walkie-talkies and footballs and pretty dolls skipped, jumped and twirled by.
The bikers seemed to be enjoying the day as much as the kids they were aiming to please.
Dan and Dianne Anderson, who each rode their own Harleys in the Toy Run, participate almost every year.
"To help the people that are less fortunate," was Dan Anderson's reason.
Jeff and Patti Cole rode in on their '07 softtail deuce Harley.
"It's a great day for the kids and it's a time for everybody to get together to start the Christmas season," Jeff Cole said.
Don Harrison, a biker from Golden Ocala, said if you treat the children well now and give them a good education, they will become tomorrow's leaders.
"These kids are well deserving," he said. "If you make them happy for a few minutes and feel good about themselves — you can't put a price tag on that, can we?"
Not if you ask Santa, who sometimes is called Guy Mongello by his fellow HOGS.
"It went really well this year," said Santa, who spearheaded the day's events. "We are taking care of a lot of children."
And more kids will receive a gift this year. There were still plenty of toys left after all the kids got to choose their toys on Sunday, and those will be distributed to other area charities this week.
"We are going to take care of a lot more children," Santa said.
Contact Susan Latham Carr at 867-4156 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
Reader comments posted to this article may be published in our print edition. All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged.


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Advanced flow principles and recreating the hydrodynamics of the reef environment By Simon@Reef-Eden
Posted 06 November 2010 - 03:51 PM
Over the last decade, there have been few aspects of modern reef-keeping apart from chemistry that have received as much attention as hydrodynamics. Or more simply put, the action of water as it flows around the aquarium, and the various methods we employ to produce it within the confines of our systems. From the smallest Nano-reef to the largest public aquariums, we frequently hear recommendations about X times flow per hour, wave simulation, tidal simulation, surge control. And a whole host of other fanciful terms to relay what we are trying to achieve. Frequently though, it is all too easy to get wrapped up in the various recommendations banded about, so much so, that we loose sight of what the original goal was in the first place. Which was to create as accurate a representation of wild conditions as we can feasibly apply, in our rather limited volumes of water?
When we look at coral reefs in the wild, we already accept that they are supremely diverse and dynamic environments. If we look closely, we may even consider that no two reefs or even sections of a reef are even remotely the same, with each square meter seemingly infinitely different to its neighbour. But to understand reefs in their entirety, and to take on board both the major, and minor factors that determine what breaths life into a coral reef, we need to step back a little from that macroscopic view we become so accustomed to, whilst looking through the front panes of our relatively diminutive salty puddles, or at still images on the internet.
Although loosely related, we will steer clear of hard core chemistry issues over the course of this article and stick to the subject at hand. Suffice to say that as you will no doubt be aware already, circulation is essential for all marine life to one degree or another, and most definitely to sedentary organisms that rely on the prevailing currents to not only bring food, but also replenish, and remove respiratory gases, mucous secretions, and provide a constant stream of other chemicals essential for growth and reproduction. Additionally, these organisms rely almost totally on the prevailing currents to spread both sperm and eggs at times of reproduction, so that any given species may thrive and populate new areas.
So what is current, and what does the term Hydrodynamics really mean. Well simply put. In aquatic terms, current is the movement of water from one location to another. Hydrodynamics is the nature of that movement, be it on a large scale, miniature, fast, slow, constant or pulsing in form.
One of the most common quotes in the marine hobby is that all too readily banded theory, that flow within a reef aquarium should be as random as possible. Remember our aim is always to replicate as feasibly as possible natural conditions, so that our animals will both behave and grow as they would in the wild. As with most things in nature, there is usually some semblance of order underneath that chaotic surface layer we are so used to seeing. Therefore, our logical starting point is to look at natural coral reefs.
The major players.
First of all, lets step back a little, no further, much further right, thats better. At this point, you should now be looking at the earth from quite a high altitude, if not from space. What do we see? well a lot of water for one, but look at the globe with different eyes and we see some surprising actions going on across the surface of its vast oceans. Satellite thermal imagery of our oceans combined with a worldwide network of persistently monitoring research buoys, shows us that whilst varying slightly in velocity dependant on the oceans vast weather systems that help drive them, predominant surface currents, actually follow pretty consistent and predictable paths across the globe 24hrs a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and have done so for millennia only occasionally shifting path in the event of a global climate change.
This consistency also includes tropical regions around the equatorial zone, that are home to the vast majority of the worlds coral formations. If we look at key areas, we can see that there are currents running across all these regions that flow consistently from a given direction all year round. The main factor in creating these surface currents is heat energy from the sun warming the upper water layers of all the main ocean basins called gyres, plus assistance from wind friction as it passes across the surface. Likewise, these winds are also generated by convectional forces born of our suns radiated heat. As an example of these perpetual currents. The Great Barrier Reef receives its main water flow from its northern end, travelling down its length to its southern reaches. The Maldives receives its water from the south, flowing upwards towards the north east and then away to the west in a huge arc. And Bali has two opposing currents, with water being pushed downwards between Borneo and Sumatra, then down through the Java Sea in a south easterly direction across its northern shores, whilst getting a somewhat opposing flow from the Timor Sea across its southern shores which runs east to west. In fact nearly all reefs have a predominant and consistent flow that runs along the length, rather than strait towards the reef front. This is largely to do with the fact that surface currents intercepting with land masses have little choice but to be deflected along the path of least resistance, i.e. along the shoreline and away from the trailing pressure front. This is much like when water from a powerhead hits the front pane of your tank, and then travels across it, pushed by more water from behind. If we were to talk about volumes, then we are talking not just millions, but billions of gallons of water passing any given area of any chosen reef every hour of every day, of every year. Putting that into perspective, its like doing a 100% water change on a 6x2x2 reef tank, every 10-30 seconds. Thats a lot of water movement.
So what does this mean to you, the reef-keeper? Well, simply put, it means that contrary to what we may believe from observing wave action at the surface. Most coral reefs do indeed have an ambient underlying flow direction that is largely unchanging in nature.
When we look at waves crashing against a shoreline we imagine there is nothing more than chaos at play. But much like any open body of water, whats happening at the surface, may only bare a minimal resemblance to whats happening a meter below. Despite the fact that winds may change direction and velocity from one day to the next causing varying wave patterns and forces at the surface, the underlying current direction caused by large scale oceanic convection, will remain pretty much the same, day in day out, year in, year out. This can easily be seen if snorkelling off the front of a reef crest in calm weather. Despite the lack of wave force, you will still get pulled steadily along in the underlying current, as it pushes its way along the front of the reef slope. Dependant on the surrounding geography which may include neighbouring islands or landmasses, this flow may be sedate, or compressed into moving faster. We give the term laminar flow to this type of motion. In essence we are talking the smooth and consistent motion of fluid regardless of its velocity, in a constant direction and at a reasonably constant speed. Having little if any turbulence.
Less constant but equally impressive in force and scale, we then get to tidal forces, i.e. those generated by the Luna cycles and gravitational pull, which causes the mass movement of water towards the side of the earth nearest the moon. And at the same time an equal shift to the apposing side of the planet. Depending on the phase of the moon, these forces and the subsequent effects of tidal shift can vary from place to place. Added to this is bathymetry (the contour of the land masses and surrounding ocean bed) which means that tidal depth change, or surge, varies from one location to another even within a fairly short distance of a few hundred miles. For example, a shoreline that has a long, gently sloping contour will have a more aggressive surge, than one that has a steeply angled contour such as an atoll. Even the number of tidal shifts within a 24 hour period can vary according to location, with some having two high tides, whilst others only have one. In relation to reefs, this action has tremendous influence as massive volumes of water are shifted in and across the reef crest to the reef flat behind during the incoming tide, and visa versa as the tide turns and withdraws. Many a snorkelling reef keeper has noticed its far better to go snorkelling during the low tide phase on fringing reefs with a back lagoon, than it is during the incoming tide phase, because sediment gets stirred up with water rushing into the lagoon area causing reduced visibility. Once the tide has reduced to the degree the reef crest has formed a near surface wave barrier again, visibility returns to normal as the flow of water subsides, and sediment falls back out of solution in the more relaxed conditions between phases. Any suspended sediment that makes its way back out to the front of the reef with the outgoing tide, is quickly washed away and down the coast with the long shore currents, leaving the reef clear again. Unlike long shore oceanic currents, Tidal Surge is on the whole a direct incoming volume of water that runs at 90deg to the reef front travelling towards, up and over to pass into the Lagoonal areas behind. The volumes of water moved by this force can be tremendous. With millions of gallons of sea water shifting through and across the reef over anything from 12 down to 6 hour intervals. From a corals point of view, this type of water motion has a similar effect to laminar flow. The only difference being that in this case, the flow periodically reverses on itself by 180deg to flow in the opposite direction as the tide turns with a short period of turbidity in between each cycle.
Our third and most complex force is wave action, which is a science in itself by rights. To understand waves, we must first break the myth in that a wave is a moving body of water. It isnt. Its actually a moving pulse of stored energy travelling through the upper layer of water. Its strength and effect are directly proportional to the forces that generate it, which in the oceans case, is predominantly wind. When air passes across the surface of water, the friction (drag) generated, transfers energy to the surface of the water causing water particles to move forward in compliment to the frictional force. As energy grows, these particles start to move in a circular motion as particles behind are pushed up and over them. With increasing energy input (wind) the amount of friction generated, grows to a point where a wave is slowly formed. It is this rolling body of energy that we see travelling across the surface as a wave. Equally, the temperature of air passing across the- surface will have a greater or lesser effect. The cooler it is, the greater the effect as cold air is heavier than warm with a resulting rise in surface friction.
Diagram 1: shows how water particles move under influence of this energy wave, as it passes overhead.
A particle motion in an ocean wave.
[Soft Break]A=In deep water.[Soft Break]B=In shallow water. The circular movement of a surface particle becomes elliptical with increasing forward momentum as the pressure wave is compressed.[Soft Break]1= Progression of wave[Soft Break]2= Crest[Soft Break]3=Trough
As the wave passes, water particles are moved in a circular motion on a vertical plane of axis. The amount of motion is directly proportional to the distance the particle is away from the wave itself. With greater depth, the influence decreases to the point no effect is felt. Equally, it should be understood that a particles motion at the surface, doesnt follow the same wave. Its forward momentum is an accumulation of several circular motions as it is transferred through that orbit from one wave crest, down to the trough and back up to the next wave crest. In essence, the forward motion of any given particle is far less than that of the visible wave. It is only in shallow water ( that we see an increase in the velocity and forward momentum of a given particle, as the pressure wave is compressed into an elliptical orbit against the rising substrate. At this point the trough speed and width is reduced by drag, whilst the crest carries on at the same speed, eventually the wave breaks and forms its typical white crest as it falls into the leading trough.
This is an important factor for us to consider. Because unless you are keeping corals and animals that are normally found right at the top of the reef on the crest then chances are, that water or particle momentum created by wave action at greater depth, may be far, far less than we would at first assume when looking at the images of waves passing over the top of a reef. The areas we commonly identify as the reef-crest which shows the most turbulent wave action, can in fact be some distance behind the more tranquil areas where many of our reef inhabitants actually come from. I.e. the reef slope proper, which is commonly, inhabited by branching Acroporas, plating corals such as Montiporas and Milliporas, and a few LPS. Its in this 2-10 meter range that we commonly find our most regularly imported species, leaving the more robust encrusting and short branching corals such as A.Humillis and Porites fighting for existence in the high energy and violent environment of the upper reef crest.
When we look at most modern methods of creating wave action in reef aquaria. We are limited by the fact, that unlike the ocean, we only have a finite span of water available to generate a wave before it hits the other end of the aquarium and rebounds back, to offset the following wave. We also have an inherent problem with depth dissipation. What we commonly end up with, instead of the circular rolling particle motion, is nothing more than a simple forward and backwards equal motion of the particles in a horizontal plane. This is much like the in and out motion of tidal surge, but on a super condensed time scale of just a few seconds, rather than hours in either direction. If we were to tie together both wave action, and tidal surge, we end up with a pattern of steps that can easily be observed again by snorkeling in the ocean. When the tide is coming in, Wave action will give water particles their usual circular trajectory moving forwards bit by bit with each wave. But joining this motion is the incoming tide which adds a further push, forwards and across the reef.. In effect, we get two steps forward, one step backwards motion. As the tide turns, the effect is reversed somewhat to a two steps backwards, one step forward motion as the forward trajectory of the water particle is offset slightly by the receding tide. Although both of these step systems are variable, dependant on the force and size of the wave action, they still serve as a good benchmark to set flow patterns by and demonstrate the inaccuracies of many modern wave simulation methodologies..
Our final type of current is random or turbulent flow, which is generated by a combination of the above 3 major forces, and its interaction with the irregular structure of the reef itself. As water is forced by either wave, tidal or oceanic current towards and along the reef, it will try to take the path of least resistance, that being either around, or over. The irregular contour of the reef structure including the attached corals creates a drag zone around and just over its surface, much like the dimples of a golf ball, but on a much larger scale. Following water flow is then pushed up and around this layer to pass by unhindered at its original rate. We call this layer the bottom boundary layer. Not to be confused with the boundary layer we commonly associate when talking at a microscopic level. This layer can be from just a few inches thick, to several feet deep in the case of a very convoluted and rough reef structure. Its the reef structure and corals themselves in many cases, that cause turbulent flow patterns as water passes by, forming both pressure and velocity increases at the leading edge of the coral and its sides, and turbulent suction vortices behind, similar to the drag induced vortices behind a car in a wind tunnel. These vortices which move around the coral as the tide turns, are what help in gaseous exchange, slime removal, and the clearing of detrimental accumulations of loose sediment that would otherwise smoother the corals quite quickly. When it comes to replicating this scenario within the confines of an aquarium, life couldnt be easier. The moment we move water around the tank, these areas of turbulent deflected flow are naturally created for us by the corals themselves, dependant on the velocity of water as it passes across and around the corals. Diagram 2 shows this feature in action.
1.Wave driven water particle trajectory.
2.Boundary layer limit
3.Turbulent zone / vortices caused by drag
In the event of a changing tide. The flow reverses, causing a shift in turbulence zones around, and to the opposite side of the corals as water passes in the opposite direction. Although wave action will still induce rotational particle motion towards the reef, the underlying flow will be determined by the volume of water exiting the area with the falling tide.
NB: Not accounted for in this image, is lateral long-shore oceanic drift.
When we combine these four principles of water movement, we have what forms the basis of understanding and ground rules for what we are trying to achieve within the confines of our reef aquaria. In the second part of this feature, we will be covering the methods and technology available to the reef aquarist, and how to put those principles into practice, avoiding that age old X times flow trap.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Dr. Stephen Monismith.
Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) Function and particle motion within a wave.
Posted 06 November 2010 - 04:26 PM
In the last installment, we ran through the causes, scope, and nature of flow patterns across wild reefs. Namely, an underlying and constant large scale flow in any given direction we call oceanic current or laminar flow We then had durational changes in direction, brought about by tidal surge coming in either 6 or 12 hour cycles which oppose or combine with wave or oceanic current dependant on the geography. We then had wave surge causing a horizontal rolling motion of the water particles as the wave pressure passes, with decreasing effect as we move deeper and deeper. We finally had random flow generated by all the above factors interacting with the irregular physical structure of the reef itself, and the resident corals.
In this edition, we will run through some of the methods and technology employed to bring these patterns into the reef aquarium. But before we do, we need to cover one more factor that commonly causes a lot of confusion. That being Flow rate or velocity, velocity being the distance any water particle moves within a given amount of time, in any single direction.
For many years now it has been standard practice to talk about flow within our aquariums by quoting the number of times the volume of the display aquarium, passes through circulation devices. We have commonly called this X times turnover. In its simplest form, this is little more than the combined liter per hour output of all circulation devices, divided by the display aquariums volume. We dont include sumps etc, as we are only interested in the circulation within the actual tank where the corals and fish are kept.
Over recent years it has become an increasing trend, whereby extremely high turnover rates are sought as though there is some kind of competition to see who can get the highest flow rate, or that a higher figure will give better results in all cases. In essence many believe that 60 x turnover is better than 30 x turnover. Unfortunately, this couldnt be farther from the truth for a great many situations, and more importantly, many of the organisms we keep.
One factor that turnover figures dont take into account is the layout of the rockwork, or the physical shape of the tank itself. To put that into perspective, a tank that has a central rockwork area, or ridge, will have a significantly faster flow of water between the glass sides of the tank and that rock, compared to the same tank with a similar amount of rock placed against the back glass, because flow compression causes water to speed up as it builds momentum traveling around the central rock feature, compared to dispersing more evenly in the larger open water volume of the rear rock wall display type display, Likewise, if there is a very varied and random assortment of rock breaking up the flow from circulation devices before its had a chance to build a fluid momentum, then we will lose overall flow velocity due to the random frictional forces generated by diverting the flow over and around these larger obstacles. It is important to remember though that whilst a high flow rate may be advantageous in certain areas of the tank, it may actually inhibit the growth and spread of some of the many benthic organisms we wish to encourage to grow in more secluded areas. Quite often these organisms can form a valuable and interesting addition to the biodiversity within the reef tank, and serve a key roll how the system controls free waste levels.
A way round this dilemma yet again, is to look at wild reefs and follow their lead. Studies of various reefs, from shallow sloping types, to steeply walled atoll type reefs such as the Maldives, have shown surprisingly similar trends, with average water flow velocities in the regions of between 5-25cm/sec in the depth ranges 2-25m and within the ranges 0 to 3.5m of the effective bottom boundary layer which is the area that is most important to us as reef keepers. Although flow velocity above the bottom boundary layer may be significantly higher, it is of little consequence to the environment we are trying to create in the tank.
In most instances, flow decreases with depth until we are only left with tidal drift and the change over zone between surface oceanic currents, and deep oceanic current. This would collaborate with the wave motion principle where the circular trajectory of particles is compressed into a more oval path with extended lateral travel per revolution in shallower depths which adds to the core water movement. Equally, the combined effect of tidal current and long shore oceanic current are being compressed onto the reef face and upwards over its top causing a further increases in velocity. The important fact here though, is that range of velocity i.e. the 5-20cm/sec velocity range. Why is it so important? Well simply put, its because the vast majority of photosynthetic corals that we keep have become adapted over millions of years to live and thrive within these ranges. Whilst occasional storms or freak surges may cause large increases in the upper margins of this range, by and large, these are the accepted norms to which our corals and fish are adapted. Too much velocity constantly above 25cm/sec and it becomes not only harder for coral polyps to catch passing food. But its also more likely that damage will occur to the delicate tissues as they rub against the coral skeleton beneath, or polyps may refuse to expand properly at all. This is commonly seen if a powerhead is placed too near a coral, causing tissue recession or stripping and poor expansion in LPS corals such as Lobophyllia or Euphyllia. Conversely, too slow flow will reduce the corals ability to exchange gases and nutrients into and from the water column effectively, as well as catch sufficient food.
It may also cause the buildup of excessive amounts of settled detritus within the folds and branches of a coral, leading to bacterial infection and possible demise.
As with many things within our hobby though, more is not always necessarily better in all cases. There have been studies that confirm a higher degree of growth in certain SPS species under increasing flow velocities, however these studies also tied in with the previously and already agreed acceptable ranges of between 520cm/sec.
So how do we go about ensuring we are within the acceptable ranges? Well, to go through each of the coral groups in this article would be virtually impossible, so in this instance we will steer clear of coral morphology till a later date and agree, that we should always research where our corals have originated from, and the type of conditions they are adapted to prior to purchase, so that we can ensure their chances as much as possible once in the home reef. To find out whether our aquarium is within this 5-25cm/sec velocity range, we can perform a simple test whereby we release a small amount of food into the water column in various places to measure how far it travels over a 2 second period. Simply divide the distance by two, and you have your flow rate for that particular area. Remember though that randomization of flow around corals is perfectly normal and desirable to a certain degree so we are more interested in the flow in the main water column and over corals, rather than through, but we certainly dont want the coral being battered from all directions as this isnt very natural at all. We can also use this test, to check the minimum distances we should have our corals from any pump outlets or powerheads. A surprising fact that we will commonly encounter, is that flow rates within a relatively short distance of a powerhead or pump outlet can be greatly in excess of this range, so care should always be taken not only when placing powerheads or designing the outlets for closed loop type systems, but also in the placing of corals, and the areas into which they may grow. Fundamentally we should never place a coral directly in the path of a powerhead or outlet as serious damage may occur to the colony within a very short period of time.
For many people, putting all that information into practice is one of the most interesting and taxing from an engineering point of view aspects to designing a reef system, be it small or large in scale. The following sections will cover the various methods you can employ to replicate more natural flow patterns and velocities within the aquarium. In the examples shown, some systems have a higher degree of emphasis shown towards one pattern over another as the main method of water movement. Suffice to say that rarely is a single method employed as the sole means of circulation unless it is a dedicated biotope aquarium. Usually it is a combination of two or more principles for greater success and realism.
Wave action.
Fig 1:
One method more commonly employed these days by larger system designers is the closed loop which consists of one or more high powered pumps drawing water from the aquarium through hidden outlets protected by strainers, and then pumped strait back to the tank through one or more strategically placed nozzles.
Looking along the length of the aquarium, We see the effects of having 4 individual closed loop nozzles along the front bottom edge of the aquarium, which blow water through very wide bore outlets that disperse the flow into a wide blanket of motion, upwards towards the surface at 45 degrees causing a rolling motion up and over the rockwork in a very similar rolling motion to that encountered as waves pass over the reef. The strainers to feed the pumps in this instance are commonly hidden within the rock structure giving the added bonus of preventing detritus buildup underneath the rockwork as it is sucked up and blown back out again to be taken out by a skimmer after exiting via a surface weir. Another advantage to this method is that you are efficiently mixing bottom layer water with that at the top of the aquarium, aiding gas exchange throughout the entire water body and creating good surface agitation. Using variable speed pumps, you can feasibly create very realistic pulses of motion very akin to natural wave action.
However, even without a quick pulsing facility, It has still proven to be a very successful method indeed of creating realistic wave simulation / water particle roll. There is no reason why this method can not be employed on a smaller scale with more moderate sized plumbing and hobby pumps, or strategically placed powerheads hidden within small rock structures near the bottom front of the tank. The need for pumps or outlets with a wide bore cannot be stressed enough in this instance though. Corals dont like being subjected to high velocity jets of water at the best of times. Plus they should be positioned in locations that will give the maximum available dispersion distance before that flow comes into contact with a coral.
Fig 2:
This method employs what is commonly known as a surge device or dump tank. Commonly set up in accordance with the design realized by Dr. Bruce Carlson, or by way of a flapper valve and float assembly. The system simply comprises a remote raised reservoir or header tank of given volume, which is gradually filled from either the main tank or sump to a point it suddenly causes a break in pressure differential and starts a fast siphoning effect that dumps its entire contents back to the main display aquarium in one large surge of flow though a wide bore pipe. The frequency of the surge is simply limited by the rate at which the header tank can be re-filled. Although supremely powerful, this system does have a few drawbacks, in that salt spray and creep from the inrushing water is a constant bug bare, as is the noise generated by the amount of air commonly drawn into the flushing system which causes a multitude of fine bubbles which may prove unsightly for some. The only other drawback is a fluctuating water level in the display tank which must have a Weir or overflows set at a height to allow for the extra volume being dumped.
There are various offshoots to this idea that have been employed to varying degrees of success, from the reverse Carlson device, to flapper valve dump tanks.
A more common way of simulating this effect without the salt creep and noise drawbacks, is with one or more of the many stream type pumps on the market today. By setting a short pulse period we can simulate the repetitiveness of passing wave pulses to good effect. The only drawback with this method though, is that due to the twisting nature of the pumps outlet surge, much of the rolling particle motion associated with real wave action, is lost or disturbed. Plus this type of twisting flow may impact adversely on any near surface corals that are caught in the immediate path of the pump. In such cases it may be worth angling these pumps up towards the surface slightly, to level out that flow and minimize the twisting action.
Fig 3:
The final and most recent method for creating wave motion is the wave box. This system comprises of a high output pump mounted within a box that sits inside the aquarium. The process is similar to that employed by the previous device i.e. the forced transfer of fluid from one container to another, however this time water is forced out of the box by the pump rather than gravity, and into the main tank volume causing a waterless void behind it. As soon as the pump switches off, water rushes back into the box from a grill at the bottom to re-fill the void. Dependant on the interval the pump runs for, and the dimensions of the tank. A quite sizable surface wave can be encountered at each end of the aquarium. Unlike the two previous methods however that create the large scale circular particle motion that is encountered in the wild, this method generally creates a more to and fro rocking motion of water within the aquarium, with a moderate pulse of flow at the pump outlet. It is still very effective though, as many will pay testament to the amount of hidden detritus that is forced out of nooks and crannies on its first application, which can only be a good thing.
Oceanic current and tidal flow.
Fig 3:
We can easily create both alternating tidal flow, and constant oceanic current by careful placement of powerheads or closed loop outlets at alternate ends of our aquarium.
By having pumps switching in alternate pairs, we can use the shape of the aquarium to push water around the tank in a circular or laminar motion and alternate its direction, dependant on our preferred cycle of tidal flow patterns be they 6 or 12 hour cycles. By using timers in the example above, we could run both pumps A for 6 hours and then switch to pumps B for the next 6 hours. We can also advance on this principle by creating slack between tide periods where only a little laminar flow is encountered. In this instance we may wish to run both pumps A for 5.5 hours running anti clockwise, then switch to a single pump A for an inter-tidal period of say 30 minuets, before switching to one pump B in a clockwise direction for another 30 minuets before giving full alternate flow for 5.5 hours using both B pumps. This would give us a very realistic build up of energy, peaking at mid tide times where flow rates are at a maximum.
As such we would be running as follows.
A+A=5.5 hours. to A=30min to B=30min to B+B=5.5 hours to A=30min.
The above might sound a strange way of doing it. But remember, the ocean doesnt have glass side walls. Unfortunately its impossible to flow water in a single direction within the confines of a glass box without it bouncing back somewhere. To push water one way, you must have an equal and opposing flow in another area to replace what is being moved. Luckily for us, the corals dont actually recognize the back of the aquarium as the back all they know is that they are receiving flow in one direction for a full tidal phase, and then its switching to the opposite direction. The corals at the front of the aquarium, are in the same boat, only they are sitting in the opposing tidal phase.
If we combine one of the methods of wave generation with the laminar flow method, and add in some degree of timer control, be it with individual timers or one of the many computerized aquarium controllers. We can effectively create very realistic flow patterns within the confines of a home aquarium, and because of the differing trajectories and natures of both flow patterns, they will combine around, and through corals to give us those all important random, localized flow patterns encountered within the bottom boundary layer that add that final element of realism for our corals and other animals to thrive in.
With the careful placement of individual corals and research into their natural conditions there is no reason why we cant keep a mixture of species that require differing flow characteristics, within the same aquarium by taking advantage of these variations. Or alternately taking into account dedicated flow velocity scenarios, create realistic biotope systems from full on reef crest wave surge systems, to more sedate laggoonal type protected systems that utilize gentle laminar tidal flow as a main or sole feature to encourage a profusion of benthic filter feeding organisms mixed with more delicate LPS corals.
Hopefully this article has been of some use to you in putting into perspective what we are trying to simulate with all the technology currently available. The limits are boundless as to what we can achieve with a little imagination.
Simon Garratt.
References :
American Society of Limnology and Oceanography,
Matthew A. Reidenbach
Stephen G. Monismith
Jeffrey R. Koseff
Gitai Yahel3 and Amatzia Genin
Posted 06 November 2010 - 04:29 PM
In my and Lindsay View this is the best article around flow that can be found on the net .
Chris if you get a chance can you sticky this in the right place m8
Posted 06 November 2010 - 04:42 PM
Just like to say Thanks Simon ,,
In my and Lindsay View this is the best article around flow that can be found on the net .
Chris if you get a chance can you sticky this in the right place m8
Thanks for taking the time to post this up Jas - will be interesting read!
Posted 06 November 2010 - 09:23 PM
#6 Guest_lindsay_*
Posted 07 November 2010 - 02:04 PM
Posted 07 November 2010 - 09:06 PM
Posted 09 November 2010 - 01:01 PM
Interesting to see all the strands of 'flow' brought together like this though there is perhaps a risk that some reading the first article only may walk away with the impression that 'laminar' flow is ok in our tanks - as Simon himself sums up in the start of the second article the general thrust of the first article is that in the wild there is "an underlying and constant large scale flow in any given direction we call oceanic current or laminar flow". To me the big point about laminar flow in the wild is not so much that it's laminar (on a zoomed out view) but rather it's function as an auto feeder and water changer. That point is made in the article of course.
It's also clearer to to me now what Simon's fascination with a tidal tank was - is that still going?
I spent many happy(?) hours experimenting with my streams over the years in our tank and in the end settled for pulsing plus alternating flow. Over the longer term the benefits in terms of coral health and growth in our tank are obvious. I guess where it differs is that the change in direction happens every minute or so rather than every 6-12 hours. That's an option and I've sometimes wondered if it's one worth experimenting with but I kind of feel that the scale of our tanks is so infinitessimaly small compared to the real thing that this might be out of scale. And of course, growth and health has been good (as far as I can tell) for a number of years so the impetus to change it is not great.
Now, is that 20cm or 25cm per second - just kidding
Thanks again Simon for another great read and contribution to the hobby and thanks to Jas for making it available on here.
Tank thread
#9 Guest_lindsay_*
Posted 11 November 2010 - 07:57 PM
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Not everybody can make it past primary or secondary school education. Similarly, not all those qualifying for university education make it in life.
Also, it is not always that there is a direct link between academic achievements and a successful and happy life although it would not be very right to say that how well one plays one's cards does not matter.
It is chiefly because of this fact that the education and training systems of many countries incorporates all three major levels. In Tanzania we have institutions of education and training that are overseen by the Tanzania Commission for Universities, the National Council for Technical Education and the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA).
It was once common for people to look down upon attending and graduating from VETA-level colleges in that most of the trainees had not gone beyond primary school and were therefore sweepingly considered as "failures".
It mattered little that it was those very young men and women who so excellently served both the public and private sectors and both formal and informal sectors as masons, electricians, electric motor rewinders, fitters and turners, plumbers, welders, drivers, motor vehicle mechanics, and in various other capacities.
The government thought differently, though, and hence its setting up of VETA in 1994 as an agency charged with the broad tasks of coordinating, regulating, financing, promoting and providing VET in the country and therefore as an agent capable of supporting the nation's social and economic development.
It was not for nothing that the agency sought – and promised – to ensure provision of quality vocational education and training "that meets labour market needs, through effective regulation, coordination, financing, and promotion, in collaboration with stakeholders".
The agency's objectives include providing vocational education opportunities and facilities for tailor-made basic and specialised training, with a view to satisfying the demands of the labour market for employees with trade skills with which to help improve production and productivity of the economy.
Only hard-core cynics will say VETA has not lived up to expectations in fostering and promote entrepreneurial values and skills as an integral part of training programmes.
Indeed, it has succeeded in promoting on-the-job training in industry for both apprentices and technicians seeking to upgrade their skills, among the beneficiaries being disadvantaged groups, which helped balance supply and demand for skilled labour in both wage employment and for skills needed for self-employment in rural and urban areas.
A world-acclaimed authority on VET aptly notes that the economies the world over are changing into knowledge-based economies and that the changing face of technology the world over requires people specialised in particular skills.
He also observes that only an expert in a particular field can get a good job, adding that VET institutes impart specialised and practical knowledge to people and help them become independent.
Tanzania's own experience shows that VET can be provided for a number of courses and even working people can enrol as per their convenience and nature of jobs.
This makes the government's plan to build at least one VET college in each district in the country, with the first phase involving the constructing of 28 with African Development Bank support, especially laudable.


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The Power of Independent Thinking
Robert Higgs on Economic Prospects for 2010
Recorded: Friday, December 18, 2009
Originally aired on 12/18/09 on FoxNews.com Freedom Watch. Robert Higgs, Senior Fellow at the Independent Institute, discusses economic landmarks of 2009, including the increasing demand for Federal Reserve transparency, and also looks forward at the possible outcomes of government economic intervention in 2010.
Experts: Robert HiggsType: TelevisionIssues: Banking and Finance, Economic Policy
Robert Higgs on Federal Reserve Transparency
Recorded: Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Originally aired on 12/1/09 on FoxNews.coms Freedom Watch. Robert Higgs, Senior Fellow at the Independent Institute, discusses increased scrutiny of the Federal Reserve and Chairman Ben Bernanke's nomination for reappointment with Judge Napolitano.
Experts: Robert HiggsType: TelevisionIssues: Banking and Finance, Economic Policy, Government Secrecy
Robert Higgs on Hoovers Great Depression Policies
Recorded: Friday, October 2, 2009
Originally aired on 10/2/09 on Fox News Freedom Watch. Robert Higgs, Senior Fellow at the Independent Institute and author of Crisis and Leviathan, discusses President Hoovers role in the Great Depression.
Experts: Robert HiggsType: TelevisionIssues: Economic History and Development (U.S.), Economic Policy, History (U.S), Labor and Employment
Higgs and Liebowitz on Causes of the Economic Crisis
Recorded: Sunday, February 8, 2009
Economists Roberts Higgs and Stan Liebowitz join the panel of the McCuistion Program on PBS to discuss causes of the current economic crisis.
Experts: Robert Higgs, Stan J. LiebowitzType: TelevisionIssues: Banking and Finance, Economic Policy, Fiscal Policy/Debt
Bush, Obama, and Presidential Power
Recorded: Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Part 1 |
Part 2
Part 3
Was George W. Bush the worst president ever? Ivan Eland examines Bushs presidency and those of his predecessors to determine if their policies promoted peace, prosperity, and liberty while upholding the Constitution they swore to protect.
Experts: Ivan Eland, Ron Paul, Richard ShenkmanType: Independent Institute EventIssues: Banking and Finance, Bureaucracy and Government, Civil Liberties/ Human Rights, Constitutional Law, Culture/ Society, Defense and Foreign Policy, Democracy, Economic History and Development (U.S.), Economic Policy, Freedom, Government Power, History (U.S), Nationalism, Political Ideology and Philosophy, Politics, Privacy, Terrorism and National Crises


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Silly Christmas Question...
Jay (or anybody else with an English Standard) -- have you had any luck in finding a Christmas ornament with a light-colored GR? All the ornaments we have are of golden GRs like our first two dears who have crossed the bridge, so they don't look like Maisie. It's silly, but I'd like to get one that looks more like her. I've ordered an ornament frame in the shape of a dog house that I'll put her photo in, but if I can find one that is a lighter color, I'll get it, too. Silly, indulgent Mommy. (Since my DD danced in The Nutcracker for 12 years, I just order a Nutcracker GR ornament! Maisie will give it to her. )
Feel Better...
Kathleen -- hope you and yours all feel better soon. We've been struggling here, too, and will soon have a houseful, so day-by-day we're trying to do a little to get things looking Christmas-y.
Sorry even in Australia the golden retriever ornaments are of the darker variety! Check some online english stores they're big into puppy ornaments.
Guybrush is learing to crawl in a similar way to Maisie, drop position then slowly move the treat in front while saying c-r-a-w-l. Still in the beginning of teaching that one as I can't bend down very well yet. But twirl is great just place the treat right near his hip while saying twirl when he does the full circle reward.
This year we aren't putting up our xmas tree (being in Australia we don't even use live trees just plastic ones!) With 5 kittens in the house and a dog with the cone of shame it just seems like inviting trouble. So far Guybrush has 2 presents in the middle of the dining table and will get more from both sides of the family he is so spoilt!
Have fun trimming your trees and putting up Christmas lights!
Ornaments and Presents!
Jay -- thanks for the response. I'll check to see if I can find UK sites for some English Standard ornaments.
I'm glad to hear that Guybrush is to be spoiled with presents. So is Maisie -- gifts from Santa, DD, DD's boyfriend and the "grandparents". But all her toys from last Christmas and her birthday are so bedraggled that I don't feel too bad. Her favorite squirrel toy (known as Nutty) is in two pieces, the tail and body, and the body now only has one paw left! And Doxie Dog, a toy stuffed dachshund, has just lost all his stuffing, his last rattle and ear -- he's just a long piece of fabric with a tail.
Since it sounds like "twirl" is easy to teach, I'll add that to our list!
Hope everybody else is having a good weekend. We went the hour and a half to visit my parents, a good trip for all since Maisie is an easy traveler and good, polite visitor these days.
Busy, busy, busy time of year. I hope everyone is doing well. Tayla has been pretty good, but she certainly isn't a trustworthy little teenager yet. If she can grab it she does. She has even jumped up on the front door where we hang the Christmas cards and pulled some down. They are all hung at the level of the wreath and above! She has really long legs. At least she is better about giving stolen items back.
Walks continue to be good with her with the exception of Saturday morning where she got a little jumpy and bitey for the first time in 6 weeks. She wasn't as bad as she had been and we had it in check in about 30 seconds but I let her know teeth on hands were not happening again. Probably a little my fault cause due to rainy evenings and busy schedules she hadn't been walked much the prior week and was very excited to be out again. The rest of the weekend went well and her walk Sunday morning was spectacular with some very good heeling during most of the 45 minutes.
I finally found her some great "tennis" balls that she loves and she carries them with her most of the time inside. I got her the ChuckIt rubber type balls. No fuzz to pull off. She has 2 medium and now 1 large one. She is officially ball crazy in the house, shoving that ball at you whenever you are still for a moment. If you can't pry it from her mouth to throw it that's fine with her and she will sit with you (or on you) holding it forever.
Have a great week everyone and a wonderful Christmas.
Barb, Rick, "Tayla" Ruff Start Hot On The Trail (STAR Puppy) (Born 11/11, Gotcha 3/12) and "Lily" Stargazer's Make It So, CGC (Gotcha 12/21/13)
Cheyenne (CGC) and Jesse (CGC) who will be always loved and never forgotten.
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leesooim (12-17-2012)
Jill - you might want to consider having an oranment made of Maisie. There is a woman that has been suggested on here for sure who does ornaments of a picture you send her. Last year I got one of Koda that we will hang on our tree forever and this year I ordered a bunch as Xmas gifts of dogs that have passed in my husbands family. Plus my mom wanted one of Koda and my sisters dog. She does a GREAT job.
You can email her here at: email@example.com
You just send her a picture of Maisie and she will paint it and ship it out to you. They are $6 each and $6 shipping for 3 ornaments or $10 shipping for more than 3 ornaments.
Just something you might consider so you can get a nice light colored golden ornament that will be special to you forever!
Koda too is being visited by Santa and both grandmas!! She is a spoiled little girl. I hope they continue to remember her after her human brother/sister is born!
Koda has come around again and has been my sweet little angel girl. She has been so good to me since this pregnancy has really wiped me out so far. I am in the 2nd trimester which they say should be when I get my energy back but I am still waiting for it to return! LOL..she has been a patient girl and my little shadow! We are expected to get some significant snowfall Thursday so I am excited to be able to go out and play in the snow again! She is so happy when she is running and playing in the snow! We might have a White Christmas here afterall!
Hope all is well with you all! Merry Christmas if I dont make it back here before then!
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jluke (12-17-2012)
Woo hoo, Michelle! If you posted the baby news before, I somehow missed it. Congratulations and best wishes! What wonderful news. I bet Koda is going to be a great big sister.
Tayla's mom--I love the Chuckit balls. I truly hope whoever invented them is becoming very rich. It's so great to be able to give your dog a ball that he can't take apart and really enjoys having in his mouth. tucker does the same thing--pushing it into my lap--and I ignore him for a while and he'll stop. Then he just lays down and I hear the sound of a ball squishing in his mouth for a while.
Kathleen, mom to one human, age 20, two canines, and a bunch of fish.
I bought the dogs a ranch, part one
I bought the dogs a ranch, part two
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Tayla's Mom (12-17-2012)
Michelle -- best wishes!! Such happy news for all of you -- If you're like most of us who've been through the process, your second trimester should be a time of renewed energy and great spirits. I remember the pregnancy glow very fondly.
And thanks for the Christmas ornament suggestion. I've been considering doing something similar. The mother of one of DD's ballet friend's does hand painted ornaments. (She even got a shout-out on the Oprah Show a few years ago!) DD gave me one with our GR Sadie in a Santa cap about 5 years ago and it's very special. Having one of Maisie would be terrific.
Tayla's Mom -- every so often Maisie does the jumpy walk bit, too. I just have to make a quick correction now, but the misbehavior isn't completely gone. Sigh...
Jay, I did find one "white GR" ornament at zazzle.com . It'll be hanging on our tree this year.
Thanks guys, maybe I didn't mention it. This pregnancy brain isn't a joke, I forget what I did and didn't do a lot! LOL We are very excited and hoping and praying that Koda handles it well. She is our life right now and we devote so much attention to her that I don't ever want her feeling left out. She is my biggest concern with all this change for sure! And yes - i keep hearing the 2nd trimester is supposed to give me energy back but I am still waiting on it! Getting sick of being tired that is for sure!!
Koda too still does the jumpy thing once in a while - we have targeted it to cold weather/high winds! She is a weirdo! So now if it is below freezing we tend to just play ball outside and forget the walk at that point!
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OutWest (12-19-2012)
Oh my! How wonderful it is to read these little stories about the misbehaving little teenaged Goldens. We have 2 now, ages 15 months & 16 months. Wow. Recently took in a foster 11 month old golden who is soooooooooo well behaved, he makes our pups look awful! It's embarrassing. We never noticed how bad they were before, only how "cute" they were. Now he comes in - with a horrible background- and looks like a perfect angel. Poor baby, aside from being so timid, has to be the most well behaved pup I have ever seen. He behaves like our 10 year old Golden did before he passed- which was PERFECTLY! Little stinkers. I guess these are the times that we will eventually forget about once they mature and calm down a bit
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As has been mentioned in the past we have a lot of registered members, but only a few truly active members. In order to increase participation of those inactive members I'm going to try something here. This is to be a Mini World Building Challenge so to speak. A lot of the new registrees ask for help or for someone to make a map for them, well its time for their pencil to hit the paper.
Here's the plan of attack and I'm going to use Socks as the test subject as he seems willing to participate and he has some ideas about his world but doesn't really know where to start. All you new and inactive beginners may participate ( I actually want you to participate) but I'm going to mentor Sock only atm from a logistic stand point. I'm going to try and help him develop his world map, a mini skill building exercise where we will ignore the more complex issues of world creation (many of which I truly don't know myself) and focus on the basics. Time frame is open ended, maybe something like torstan's assorted tips and tricks thread. Or I may run this for the month of Feb/Mar and then if I can get other members to mentor another member we'll see where we can take this. In either case this is going to lag a bit at the start on my end (I have a kitchen remodel project in progress and the wife likes water LOL )
Objective: Develop pencil / paper hand drawn overall world of the members choice in Pencil / Ink
Required Tools: .5mm HB lead mechanical pencil, copy paper, eraser (the most important tool), triangles, ruler, ball point pen, a .005 micron ink pen, something to use as a drawing board, tape and a window, yes a window(for tracing, more later on). Oh good light!!
Map Brief: A 5 continent world map with island chain, border and compass rose. We are going to try to hit a 70% water area to 30% land mass area for this work (close to earth's distribution so you have a reference point). Here's a copy of Sock's brief with a bit more detail.
Sock's Brief:
"What I'm going to need is 5 continents. With a string of islands (both individual islands, and chains) going from the south of one continent to the western part of another continent.
Continent 1:
A long, thin country. It is more north-south oriented as opposed to east-west. So think the Americas vs. Eurasia.
• A snowy, mountainous region to the north
• A densely wooded region with rivers running through it, ponds and lakes within, etc. Very wet region I'm thinking.
• Another region with a lot of coastal land.
• A region good for raising a large population of horses and perhaps growing things as well.
• A region which is on an oddly shaped peninsula with a large mountain-barrier between it and the main continent. Also a small island off the coast of this peninsula.
• A desert region with a river, or a few, running through it to offer the life it needs to grow things. Similar to how the Nile is for Egypt.
• A dead wasteland on the western side of this country-continent.
Continent 2:
A roundish continent. Think Australia when imagining the shape perhaps? And scale as well. It exists to the west of of Continent 1.
• Highlands (hill-y) region
• Flatland (plains, etc.) region
• A swamp region
• A mountainous region
• A desert
• River lands
• An island off the south.
Continent 3:
A wide continent. Think Eurasia.
• A double-peninsula country. Western end of this continent.
• A good region for a nomadic culture. Just a large swath of land I was thinking. To the east of the double-peninsula
• Another peninsular country. To the south of the nomadic country.
• Another country to the east.
• A large island between the two peninsulas with mountains on it.
Continent 4:
A continent to the south of Continent 4. It is wide as well and it is mostly a desert continent. With rivers and some lakes running through it. Oases as well for life to exist.
Continent 5:
A deserted country. Nothing on it. But the idea I want is that it would look really great for population so lots of lush forest, rivers, lakes, etc. But it just has no civilization.
Island String:
My idea was that the string of islands would be trailing from the south of continent 1 to the western edge of continent 4."
Assignment #1: on the copy paper ("landscape orientation", short vertical- wide horizontal) in pencil:
1. Draw a single line border 1/8" +/- from the edges, this is a reference to keep you from drawing your continents into the final border area.
2. Draw a horizontal line for your "equator" through the middle of the sheet (to seperate hemispheres)
3. Bubble diagram in your land masses for all continents. What we are after here is not to worry about how the actual continents are shaped, but relative sizing so they fit on the paper , within the border and show their relationship to each other as outlined in your brief. Keep in mind the 30%land mass.70% water mass in your bubble diagram. Ok what's a bubble diagram lets take Socks continent #1 as an example. this will be an oval shape (ie the bubble) standing vertically. I want Socks to do this first then I'll "redline" his work to further refine this. (Sock's you have previously skirted around this and drawn only portions of individual continents, this is your refinement assignment).
Get Crackin Socks LOL If you have questions on what I'm talking about Socks post em here so anyone else with the same question can follow along.
Last edited by Vellum; 02-07-2013 at 04:28 PM.
Yeah Socks this is basically what we want at this point, an overall world visual reference. It put the continents in their perpective locations, with a little more shape than I planned but OK none the less. Remember our brief stated this was to be a pencil and ink map. By using pencil we end up with a map that can be modified, yours is a good example of what I call a "destructive map" as we can make no refinement to it as a "final map"as it was inked in too soon. We can draw more info on the map but it quickly gets unreadable because of the ink "overlines". A non destructive base map allows us to use our most important tool, the eraser, which will get a workout. Also keep in mind the base map will become the final drawing, you are starting and finishing on a single sheet of paper.
Lets proceed to refine the bubble diagram here:
1. Your gonna have to redraw this in pencil. Take another piece of copy paper, place over the map, hold on window and trace the border lines only. You can use masking tape to tape the maps to the window to work with both hands free if you like. This is a good time to practice free hand straight lines, trace the "single" border line, trying to stay as close to the mechanical line underneath. We don't need the short stubb lines on the border atm. Make sure you keep the margin the same consistent width on all 4 sides.
2. You have grouped the continents more towards the top of the paper (this could happen in rl but we are also keeping visual appeal in the back of our minds). In your brief you had a variety of climate / terrain types you wanted. To help accomplish this position the new overlay so that the continents are lowered to more or less center them on the sheet vertically. This will place the bottom of your #1 Continent closer/on the equator, retrace all the outlines in pencil.
3. At any time your mind starts to wander, walk away from this. Good practice atm, because when you start to ink this in, as you know, its there for good!!
Ok let me think over the next step now that I see what you have proposed.
Ok now on to a little refinement. I inked the sketch as my scan was so poor, I want you to do this in pencil LOL do as I say not as I do Lets can the continent numbering and go with your naming convention from your other posts. Bring in some thumbnails here of the continents you've previously drawn.
We want to start making your continent size conform with your bubble layout, this is where the eraser will come into play.
In pencil:
1. name the continents
2. match up the bubble diagram with each one of your concept continent sketchs, roughly matching sketch outlines to remain in the bubbled area or smaller
3. While matching up sketches to bubbles you may decide that they need to be closer together / farther apart etc. This process is going to take you awhile, don't rush it, if you don't post anything for days, no problem. I want you to think how these are all going to fit together.
4. I added a simple tectonic plate layout, you may or may not wish to refine your continent profile to match each other in similar profile to indicate plate movement.
Last edited by Vellum; 02-07-2013 at 11:57 AM.
Anyone else following along and trying this?
This is cool. Can I join in?
(I'm a bit busy with a city map for art class right now, but i'll follow along)
I have been watching this tutorial and will continue to follow. When I get a chance I will follow these steps as well.
To have any chance of making sense of tectonics, you have to know what projection your map is in, and even then it's still going to be hard as tectonics is really dependant on the geometry being spherical rather than planar. If you have a real physical ball you can draw on, you might want to try that and then try to transfer the result to a map.
Assuming that's meant to be a cylindrical projection of a whole globe, there are some obvious problems. Your faults should line up across the "date line" at the east and west edges of the map, and you need to remember that the entire top and bottom of a global cylindrical map represent just a single point. So you have a single plate wrapped around the north pole, with a fault that runs up into it to exactly the pole, and then just stops.
I'm not really an expert on geology so I can't give to much help there. If you really are concerned with getting it right, you need to be aware of the different shapes you get from convergent, subduction, divergent, and transform faults. Divergent and transform faults tend to meet at 90 degree angles for instance. Looking at some real world maps like Filelates tect2 en.svg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia might help there (Keep in mind that that map is in Normal Mercator projection and has the poles cut off.).
Hey all gonna be outta pocket for a few days, have to take care of grandson, full time job LOL


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