Hi perennialfan273, I'd be interested in trading for your Cryptanthus Bivittatus "ruby" and for Peppermint that are listed on your trade page. Check my trade page and see if there is anything that you might be interested in. Sue Will send an email also.

Hi Sleepless :-) Cement=IPS Weld-On 795 medium body clear cement for flex and rigid PVC Black vs white is asthetic and stocking issue. Nearly everything related to ponds are black plastic so the suppliers stock black hose. Nearly all other plumbing suppliers stock white (cream) Gray and black are usually special order 50' rolls. Installation note: Stay away from female threaded schedule 40 fittings. Use schedule 80 in these applications. There is to high a risk of the internal pressure of the threaded connection causing the part to split. White teflon paste for threaded PVC fitting, NOT teflon tape, same rule as above. Silicon grease is a good friends when connecting unions. Grease the threads and "O" rings for easier removal and sealing the "O" rings. Vinyl tubing and barbs are a one-way trip. Once on they have to be cut off (after a period of time in place)unless a heat gun is used. Unions can come apart as often as needed. Cement doesn't break down, good for as long as the PVC is. Check online for some of the hard to find fittings, flexpvc.com was listed above, they do have a number of the hard to find parts but there are also lots of other suppliers out there. Menards, Hm Depot and Lowes are VERY limited for the stuff we need when it comes to plumbing. I get mine wholesale from the supplier as I've also done waterfalls, fountains and water features for commercial applications. Helps feed my hobbies :-)

We spotted our first one last weekend, he was looking in the patio door!! We thought he was pretty smart til we realized he was being drawn by the red sticker from the security company! LOL!!! The feeders went up and this weekend we were rewarded with 4 of them visiting us!

If you sealed it with an oil-based poly sealer or varnish, they will "amber" over time (just like oil-based polyurethaned wood floors). I would sand it and re-paint, this time using a water based sealer. Use multiple coats for protection, and make sure the sealer you choose is made for exterior applications.