labrown

Aha! Second problem: girlfriend. Being one myself, I know how much we tend to cost a guy. Cougar hunting all the way.

Nothing to sell? Services to render?

Oh, also, selling things on ebay or craigslist has always helped me get some cash when I needed it.

Being a waitress through college was what kept me eligible for financial aid. Waitresses make crap on paper, and you take home all the cash you make. My taxes are paid by the 2.13 an hour, and I usually get a nice refund in April. I had to keep this job because my wages were being garnished for certain reasons, but I was still able to pay my bills in cash and go to school. I didn't have a bank account for 2 years, but my wages as a waitress couldn't be garnished because what the company paid me was less than 25% of my income. Seriously, I've been working in restaurants for 10 years, and most of the people that keep those jobs are in situations like yours where they need to keep the money they make and not hand it over to someone else. And most restaurant managers understand that too. I think your main problem is paying 500 bucks a credit hour to go to school. I got one degree from a state school and I am now going back to a jr college to save money. It costs me 650 a semester to take 12 credit hours, 1300 bucks a year! Those classes are the same on paper, and you only have to take the last 60 hours from the college where you want to receive your degree. With one degree under my belt and two more on the way, I can't tell you how much this advice would have helped me out 7 years ago. If it makes you feel any better, people are struggling for money all over the country, and the cost of education just keeps going up. You aren't alone.

Thanks for everything you all passed on to me, sorry so belated! I bought a copy of that book you all recommended and have had my nose deep in it ever since it arrived! Everything looks good so far in the tank. THANKS AGAIN!!!

LOL, too funny!!!

I love how they called it a marine Mick Jagger.

As a regular pedicure customer, I think that's gross.

Very nice shots.

Thanks! I got him from the aquadome, he was about as big as my thumbnail and now he is about the size of my thumb. His spines are a lot longer too. He is hard to catch though, only comes out when my lunar lights are on.

I don't have a very nice camera, so none of my pics are spectacular (it is a video camera with still photo capability, I'll try to post videos in the future). This is what I can find offhand, my dwarf lion and my pencil urchin, both pretty little guys. I've got a lot of info to post about my tank, such as what kind of mods I have done since I got it, and I'll try to include more pictures. For now, I have to go to work...

Thanks for the warm welcome! Oh I'm sure I'll get there soon. I probably ought to post more about my tank and then really I'm just looking for suggestions about how to improve my setup. I've had my tank for almost a year but have started dabbling with corals just within the last few months. I'm just glad to be getting started on the forum, and can't wait to find tons of pictures!

Just thought I'd finally sign up and start asking my own questions instead of feeding off of the threads of others! I have been a MAAST member for a while but have just started delving into reefkeeping, and need as much information as I can get! I bought this lighting system a few months ago: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod...mp;pcatid=12772 (the 48" setup with 2 T5 actinic and 2 T5 10,000K) I run the light about 9 hours total, 7.5 hrs or so of both lights and then some time before and after with just the actinics. I have a rock with three mushrooms in my tank so far that seem to be doing well. They love the light. But I have no idea where to go from here. I'm looking forward to getting to know you all and digging up loads of new info! Thanks!