Article: You will need to keep the saltwater on hand for when you change the tank water. Always having a gallon of saltwater ready will make changing the water much easier. Fill a gallon container with reverse osmosis water. Add the salt per manufacturer's instructions. Cap the container, and store the saltwater in a cool, dry area until you need it. Turn off the aeration and circulation system before changing the water. Let the air in the tank settle so it is not moving. Shine a bright light at the surface of the tank so the brine shrimp all flock to it. Siphon the dirty water off the bottom of the tank with the gravel vaccum. Then, replace the siphoned water with some of the marine salt mixture you made earlier. Check the salinity and temperature of the tank to make sure the levels are good. The sponge filter may get noticeably dirty. To rinse or replace the filter, turn off the air pump, remove the sponge, and rinse it in the used tank water, or non-chlorinated (conditioned with Prime or other conditioner) room temperature-or current temperature of your aquarium water. When it is clean again, replace it, and turn the air pump back on. You will only need to get a brand new sponge if it disintegrates. It houses useful bacteria to keep the tank healthy. Never rinse the sponge or any other filter in anything other than used tank water or conditioned water. To rinse filter media in too hot, too cold or chlorinated water destroys the bacteria that supports a healthy tank. Use a flashlight to herd the brine shrimp away from the sponge filter when doing this. You may need someone to help you grab the filter or shine the light. All of these factors are important to keep in mind when you are maintaining a saltwater habitat. Get into the habit of checking these factors weekly.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Make a reserve of saltwater. Use a gravel vacuum to change the water in the hatchery regularly, about 20% (2 gallons) per week. Rinse or replace the sponge filter every 1-4 weeks. Regularly check the tank's temperature, salinity, and cleanliness.
Article: There is a vast amount of incredible music written specifically for the piano. Even if the composition you're writing isn't ultimately meant to be heard on the piano, hearing other finished compositions when you're trying to get inspired can be just the thing you need. Classical and jazz are the two most noteworthy styles of piano playing. Even if you're only going to be playing in one or the other (or a more contemporary style like pop) it's a good idea to give a listen to these different styles. Keep an ear out for the different chords the players use depending on the style. Look into the work of Liszt, Chopin or Satie for great classically-based piano works. For jazz, Bill Evans, Dave Brubeck and Chick Corea are all players worth looking into. Whether you're starting out or an advanced player, warming up your fingers with scales can encourage creativity to flow more freely once you get into the thick of composing. If you know a few scales, try warming up with one you're not as familiar with. Hearing the distinctive tone of a scale might spark the first ideas of a fresh composition. Scales are a very handy thing to know when it comes time to write melodies. While there's no sure method to write a great melody, knowing which scale you should be using will give you an idea of which notes to use and which to avoid. You never know when you're going to hit a creative stride. Unfortunately, a lot of the time, this happens to fall on the least convenient times where you're either far from an instrument or about to fall asleep. This is why it's a good idea to bring a notebook and/or sound recorder with you wherever you go. If you think of a great melody or rhythm, you can hum it into your mic and adapt it once you're by your piano again. Most cellphones have a recorder option. If you don't have a cellphone for this purpose, basic handheld recorders tend to be very affordable. Creativity cannot be forced. If you're trying to break through the writer's block and nothing's working, it may be time to give yourself a break from things. Go do something that has nothing to do with the creative process. Clean your house. Talk to a friend on the phone. Pet a cat. Better yet, take a nap. When you return to it, you don't want to feel any of the frustration you were grappling with before. Creativity is best when you're feeling relaxed. Going for a walk is a fantastic idea if you're getting frustrated. Many artists have some of their best creative epiphanies when they're out for a stroll. Most music (even instrumental music) is directly inspired by something or someone. In some cases, the composer is driven by love and longing. Other times, he's trying to vent out bad emotions. Take a look at your life and single out some of the things that have most affected you in the past while. Have you gone through a break-up? Did you recently go on an unforgettable vacation? Anything that sparks feeling in you is fair game for musical inspiration.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Listen to piano music. Practice scales on the piano. Carry a notebook and handheld recorder wherever you go. Give yourself a break. Think about what you might like to write music about.
Article: The placement test helps you decide whether or not an algebra class is right for you. Maybe you don't need algebra, or maybe you need to take a different math class to prepare you for algebra. Usually, a placement test is free and comes with an appointment with the academic counselor; they will be able to tell you about your specific situation. When registering for a college course, you can choose your own professor. Ask around and find out about the different professors. Choose a section taught by a quality professor that you think would fit with your learning style. Choose a section that also fits with your schedule allowing you to attend every class. Use websites that have reviews from students have taken the course with that professor to find out who would be a good fit for you. Many community colleges have testing centers that allow you to schedule your exams to be taken outside of the classroom. This can allow for flexibility in case you need a few more days of study. You also may be given more time to finish the exam than you would during a normally scheduled class period. Speak with your professor at the beginning of the course about scheduling exams outside the classroom. If this course is essential to you continuing on to the next course, make it the highest priority when you're choosing your schedule. If you are a morning person, choose a section that meets in the morning when you are awake and ready to learn. If the best section fills up before you can schedule it, try speaking directly to the professor and explaining why it's important for you to attend class at that particular time. Many people tend to lose focus after lunch time so if you're not a morning person choose a section between 10am and 12pm or after 3pm. If you have the opportunity to do so, taking the class on its own allows you to spend all of your time and energy on truly understanding algebra. Not having to split your attention between multiple courses lets you focus specifically on the task at hand. If you really want to succeed at a four-year college, take college algebra at a community college the summer before to gain a solid foundation in math. Homework, quizzes, and exams will likely have different point values associated with them. Knowing what percentage each contributes to your grade can help you further in the course if you are struggling. Avoid falling behind because you didn't put in the time to do the homework properly! Determine how much time you will need to spend each week to really master the course. Make sure to set aside this time by scheduling it into your day.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Take the math placement test at your school before the semester starts. Choose your professor carefully. Sign up for a course that allows you take exams in a testing center. Schedule the course during your optimal learning time of day. Take the class over the summer as your only course. Know how homework, quizzes, and exams contribute to your grade.