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Garden pond

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Space Cowgirl

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Garden pond
« on: April 15, 2023, 05:46:08 AM »
If everything goes to plan I will get my 300 gallon stock tank today. I plan to put plants and fish in it. I still need to figure out filtration, and before next winter, how to keep it warm enough so Bertha (giant pleco) won't die. 

Does anyone here have a small outdoor pond?
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Quote from: Thork on November 27, 2012, 12:25:43 PM
I'm sorry. Am I to understand that when you have a boner you like to imagine punching the shit out of Tom Bishop? That's disgusting.
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faded mike

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Re: Garden pond
« Reply #1 on: April 22, 2023, 01:04:25 PM »
Hi Space Cowgirl. That sounds like alot of fun/real neato. You could run some geothermal heating tubes which could be very cost effective and low maintenance. There was some guy in idaho who ran some air tubes around 7 feet underground and and i think like 200 fet length and an air exchanger and heated his green house with an orange tree enough to keep everything alive for freee. I was thinking you could just make a loop for the water to freely exchange under ground and that would heat it up enough, but i guess with the living fish and plant environment, or even just the open pool, your tube running to the warmer enclosed under ground would probably get clogged eventually. Or if you were going to filter the water going in and out of the tube it would no longer be so simple.

You might look into some type of passive solar heating - kindof like you have the sun shining  - shines through glass into insulated area, keeps warm through frigid winter - something massive like rock or rammed earth tires and this is supposed to keep things warm enough in an enclosed space in the winter. I think passive solar heating is way stronger than most realize, but i dont know much about it. Probably require a lot of work but would run forever, and electric heating is expensive.

Or roof heating cables, for icey climates to prevent roof ice daminng, buildup. Or garden heating cables... maybe need to be more waterproof but maybe not.

For filtration i would get a cheap fountain pump like from a hardware store (maybe 2 x 200 gallon / hr pumps at about $30 each) and make that pour through a barrel of gravel or lava rock. I think you can go under the reccomended water exchange per hour level since you are outside in the sun possibly and open air, especially if you have a lot of plants.
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faded mike

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Re: Garden pond
« Reply #2 on: April 22, 2023, 01:13:05 PM »
geothermal heating - i have never heard anyone do it with water, just bouncing an idea.

passive solar heating - would involve sun shining on back wall of pond or large rocks/perhaps special rocks for the job, to absorb and slowly release heat.

plecos may be able to survive unheated winter pond - gold fish and rosy minnows survive way up here through the -30 c winter in unheated ponds from what i understand, hard to belive as it is. you could look into "cold water aquarium fish"
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Space Cowgirl

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Re: Garden pond
« Reply #3 on: April 22, 2023, 03:12:39 PM »
I don't know if Florida has much geothermal heat, or I'd probably hit the aquifer before I got to the heat. The pond will be in the sun for a few hours a day, but most of our freezes happen at night, so before winter I will have to figure something out.

The plecos are invading every waterway in Florida, hopefully this one is tough enough to live outside. lol

OH, and I got the stock tank last weekend. Now I just need to find all the right plumbing fittings so I can run a small pool filter (just as the pump, because I already have it) and build a filter box with a waterfall.
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Quote from: Thork on November 27, 2012, 12:25:43 PM
I'm sorry. Am I to understand that when you have a boner you like to imagine punching the shit out of Tom Bishop? That's disgusting.
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DataOverFlow2022

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Re: Garden pond
« Reply #4 on: April 24, 2023, 03:39:52 AM »
I would start by thinking what temperature you truly need.  And design a primary and secondary system to maintain that temperature?

Quote
They do just fine in temperature regions as well provided they are not left outside over the winter. Most plecos are tolerant of waters ranging from 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (18-30°C), though they prefer temperatures between about 75 and 82°F (24-28°C). With that being said, there are some pleco species that are hardier than others, and may be able to withstand some cooler waters.

https://pondinformer.com/cold-water-pleco-pond-guide/


Maybe just keeping everything covered at night?  And using an air pump with the heat of compression and drawing air from your warm house might make it safe?

added, note.  I’m on well water no water softener. If you’re not on city-water / treated water. 

Might be expensive to run and the controller might be a pain.  But maybe a feed and bleed line from your homes hot water heater to trickle in hot water.  Or just set a high drain to maintain level, and use a throttle valve to trickle in warm water all night. 



If you’re in the south.  I would run this in the day.



Cover the water at night.  And use an air pump at night to aerate the water with it taking air from a warm house, run an insulated airline.


If live in an area where the temperature doesn’t get above 65 day after day. You’re going to have to use an electric heater, heat the water with natural gas,  or use a small outdoor wood boiler? 

« Last Edit: April 24, 2023, 04:09:19 AM by DataOverFlow2022 »
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Space Cowgirl

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Re: Garden pond
« Reply #5 on: April 24, 2023, 06:57:38 AM »
Oh, that intex pool heater is a good idea. The pond is only 300 gallons, and I'd only need to heat it now and then. We have long stretches in the winter where the temps are in the 80s, and then a cold front comes along and drops the temps for a week, then it's back to the 80s for awhile. I think common plecos can survive water temperatures in the 50s for a short period, but I don't know how fast 300 gallons cools to ambient temps. Plus, when winter comes I will not be cleaning leaves out because fish can get in the leaf litter for warmth.

I wonder if I buy a roll of clear plastic, like Visqueen, and seal up the pond during the cold snaps if that would help keep the heat in. I was also thinking of putting landscaping blocks (I have tons of them) around the pond and packing dirt between the blocks and the tank for insulation.
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Quote from: Thork on November 27, 2012, 12:25:43 PM
I'm sorry. Am I to understand that when you have a boner you like to imagine punching the shit out of Tom Bishop? That's disgusting.
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DataOverFlow2022

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Re: Garden pond
« Reply #6 on: April 24, 2023, 07:12:34 AM »
I know this stuff floats..

Quote
Doheny's Standard Blue 1600 Series Micro-Bubble Solar Cover, 3 year warranty, 12x24 ft Rectangular
$75.59

https://www.doheny.com/doheny-standard-blue-1600-series-micro-bubble-solar-cover-3-year-warranty-12x24-ft-rectangular

Probably way too large for your needs.

If I covered it up.  I would be worried about how much oxygen is exchanging with the water.  Or if the process would be interrupted I’m a worry wort sometimes.  And would want the assurance of an air pump with air stone.


Packing items around the tank would definitely help.  You could also place some blue foam insulation between the tank and dirt.


Quote
Dow R-10, 2-in x 4-ft x 8-ft Faced Polystyrene Board Insulation





I guess it’s all on how much assurance, time, and money you want to put into it?  But nothing is cheap anymore. 
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Space Cowgirl

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Re: Garden pond
« Reply #7 on: April 24, 2023, 07:35:50 AM »
There are tons of DIY videos, I'm going to look into making my own solar pool ring. Looks like if I buy a roll of Visqueen, and maybe some pool noodles, I could make a floating cover that I could custom fit to my tank.

I have tons of air pumps and air stones and sponge filters. I reckon if I have to cover the pond, I could switch from the big mechanical/bio filter I'm building over to a sponge filter for however long I need to. Sponge filters are great, and I could get a really big one, or split the airline and use a couple normal size ones. I could probably just not build a big mechanical/bio filter with a waterfall and only use sponge filters, but I really want a waterfall. lol
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Quote from: Thork on November 27, 2012, 12:25:43 PM
I'm sorry. Am I to understand that when you have a boner you like to imagine punching the shit out of Tom Bishop? That's disgusting.
?

DataOverFlow2022

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Re: Garden pond
« Reply #8 on: April 24, 2023, 07:45:48 AM »
A water fall would give it class. 
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Space Cowgirl

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Re: Garden pond
« Reply #9 on: April 24, 2023, 09:56:27 AM »
EXACTLY. I'm still working out how I'm going to plumb everything. The bulkhead is threaded on the inside and a 1 1/4 adapter fits, but I know nothing about joining pvc pipes together. Fortunately my brother has promised to help me with that part, but getting him to help me make a shopping list for parts is like pulling teeth. I need a water intake on the inside that comes up far enough to not suck sand through the filter, and that is the hard part to figure out. The adapter will only screw in from the outside. I kind of have it figured out, because I dug though my box of random bits of pvc stuff and found things that actually fit, but I need him to tell me what else I need to make it properly fit and not leak. Everything else about the pond I am willing to do trial and error on, but I can't have the water leaking out. I don't want to wake up to an empty pond and dead fish.
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Quote from: Thork on November 27, 2012, 12:25:43 PM
I'm sorry. Am I to understand that when you have a boner you like to imagine punching the shit out of Tom Bishop? That's disgusting.
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Jura-Glenlivet II

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Re: Garden pond
« Reply #10 on: April 27, 2023, 02:53:16 AM »

Ponds sure are different across the pond.

My dad just dug a big hole, with terraces, lined it with a plastic sheet, filled it from the tap, waited a few weeks. Introduced oxygenating plants and water lilies to give shade, waited a few months for them to get settled then added some Golden Orf and some green Tench.
 Within a few years we had frogs, Newts, dragonflies, pond skaters, whirligigs, after a Heron turned up and ate the Orf the insect life proliferated, and they became the attraction.
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Space Cowgirl

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Re: Garden pond
« Reply #11 on: April 27, 2023, 06:21:50 AM »
Oh, there are lots of people with ponds like that over here. I looked into that kind of pond and the amount of work to set it up (and the cost) seemed like more than I could do by myself.
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Quote from: Thork on November 27, 2012, 12:25:43 PM
I'm sorry. Am I to understand that when you have a boner you like to imagine punching the shit out of Tom Bishop? That's disgusting.
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Jura-Glenlivet II

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Re: Garden pond
« Reply #12 on: April 27, 2023, 06:53:51 AM »

£50 for a liner, a couple of spades, barbecue and beers for your friends to dig, about £25 for plants, steal the fish at night, sorted.
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Space Cowgirl

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Re: Garden pond
« Reply #13 on: April 27, 2023, 07:53:31 AM »
What are you in for?

I took the advice of a demon on the internet and stole the neighbor's fish.
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Quote from: Thork on November 27, 2012, 12:25:43 PM
I'm sorry. Am I to understand that when you have a boner you like to imagine punching the shit out of Tom Bishop? That's disgusting.
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Alexei

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Re: Garden pond
« Reply #14 on: April 28, 2023, 11:23:30 AM »
They can't say you stole their fish if you ate the fish.

Jkjk.

Stealing someone's pet will probably give you a fine of a set amount of money if you get caught but assuming you didn't you probably are fine.

It isn't a crime if no one knows about it.
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NotSoSkeptical

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Re: Garden pond
« Reply #15 on: April 28, 2023, 03:02:00 PM »
Quote from: Alexei on April 28, 2023, 11:23:30 AM
They can't say you stole their fish if you ate the fish.

Jkjk.

Stealing someone's pet will probably give you a fine of a set amount of money if you get caught but assuming you didn't you probably are fine.

It isn't a crime if no one knows about it.

You aren't retarded if no one knows about it.
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Quote from: wise on April 07, 2023, 02:25:15 AM
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JJA

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Re: Garden pond
« Reply #16 on: April 28, 2023, 03:10:51 PM »
Check freecycle and craigslist for aquarium filter parts.  There is an amazing number of people who buy huge and expensive tanks and then find out keeping fish is WORK and just chuck it all out on the sidewalk.

I had a 200 gallon tank with stand and a huge filtration system I put together over a few months just grabbing stuff people were throwing out.
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Space Cowgirl

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Re: Garden pond
« Reply #17 on: April 28, 2023, 03:16:13 PM »
There are some good deals on used aquarium stuff, but I already have three aquariums in the house and have no room for another one. Also, I am a bit worried about putting a really big aquarium in the house without finding out if my floor can take it.



I already have the stock tank. I just need to get all the plumbing, and the stuff to make a filter.
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Quote from: Thork on November 27, 2012, 12:25:43 PM
I'm sorry. Am I to understand that when you have a boner you like to imagine punching the shit out of Tom Bishop? That's disgusting.
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JJA

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Re: Garden pond
« Reply #18 on: April 28, 2023, 05:39:09 PM »
Quote from: Space Cowgirl on April 28, 2023, 03:16:13 PM
There are some good deals on used aquarium stuff, but I already have three aquariums in the house and have no room for another one. Also, I am a bit worried about putting a really big aquarium in the house without finding out if my floor can take it.

I already have the stock tank. I just need to get all the plumbing, and the stuff to make a filter.
Still worth taking a look, you don't need the tanks but could find filters and pumps and all the little bits you need.  Looks like a nice little pond.  Might need a net unless you want birds eating all the fish.
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Space Cowgirl

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Re: Garden pond
« Reply #19 on: April 29, 2023, 05:44:29 AM »
Yeah, I'm going to have to cover it. I'm not worried so much about birds, but the evil little raccoons will try to go fishing. Also, they shit in all the birdbaths, so I'm sure they would shit in my pond.

The filter I'm going to make is really inexpensive, basically a storage tote with lava rocks and quilt batting. I already have a 1,000 gph pool filter. I just need some hoses, a ball valve, and some pvc pipes and fittings. I'm not going to put the filter in the pool filter, just going to use it to pump the water.
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Quote from: Thork on November 27, 2012, 12:25:43 PM
I'm sorry. Am I to understand that when you have a boner you like to imagine punching the shit out of Tom Bishop? That's disgusting.
?

DataOverFlow2022

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Re: Garden pond
« Reply #20 on: April 29, 2023, 11:00:09 AM »
Hope it works out, and is a fun project.  And doesn’t cost too much.   
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Space Cowgirl

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Re: Garden pond
« Reply #21 on: April 29, 2023, 01:20:35 PM »
It is a fun project, but I wish I was more confident in my ability to connect pvc pipes. lol My biggest fear is that I will do a shit job and wake up in the morning to an empty tank. The least fun part of this project has been trying to get the ground level.

So far the most expensive part of the project has been the tank, that one cost $250 at Tractor Supply. I also bought a couple hundred pounds of pool filter sand for about $50. I think I can get the rest of the supplies I need for less than $50. I already have lots of aquatic plants, and I have tons of pothos, and several peace lilies for riparium style planters. The pool filter was free, and the fish were free (three of them came from the river and the pleco belonged to my sister).

Later on, I will probably spend more money. I was thinking of buying one of those little greenhouses to put over it next winter. IDK, I'll have to see how it goes.
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Quote from: Thork on November 27, 2012, 12:25:43 PM
I'm sorry. Am I to understand that when you have a boner you like to imagine punching the shit out of Tom Bishop? That's disgusting.
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Space Cowgirl

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Re: Garden pond
« Reply #22 on: May 04, 2023, 07:53:43 AM »
If the earth is flat how come my pond isn't level  >:(

Srsly, I am struggling. lol
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Quote from: Thork on November 27, 2012, 12:25:43 PM
I'm sorry. Am I to understand that when you have a boner you like to imagine punching the shit out of Tom Bishop? That's disgusting.
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DataOverFlow2022

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Re: Garden pond
« Reply #23 on: May 04, 2023, 09:44:13 AM »
Quote from: Space Cowgirl on May 04, 2023, 07:53:43 AM
If the earth is flat how come my pond isn't level  >:(

Srsly, I am struggling. lol


Sometimes it takes patience and baby steps. 


It’s amazing how wanting something seemingly simple turns into expensive and trying.   


I hope it turns out great. 
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Space Cowgirl

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Re: Garden pond
« Reply #24 on: May 08, 2023, 03:32:17 PM »
I HAVE ACHIEVED LEVEL!

Apparently I was using a cheap bad level, and my brother gave me one of his levels, and I sat it on the pond and it was already level. I had just decided I would accept that it was off level, not knowing I had it right.
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Quote from: Thork on November 27, 2012, 12:25:43 PM
I'm sorry. Am I to understand that when you have a boner you like to imagine punching the shit out of Tom Bishop? That's disgusting.
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Space Cowgirl

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Re: Garden pond
« Reply #25 on: June 07, 2023, 06:36:42 AM »


I've still got a lot of work to do, but the hard part is done. I decided to use a barrel and make a bog filter instead of using a tote to make a mechanical filter. I need to get a couple more bags of sand washed before I dump them in, and I want to go to the river and see what I can find growing emerged, and get some wet leaves and muck to grow some scuds and other water critters. I need to prettify it with some plants, and make a floating ring to protect the floating plants.

I recorded the video with an ipad. I guess you have to hold it sideways to get widescreen? idk lol
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Quote from: Thork on November 27, 2012, 12:25:43 PM
I'm sorry. Am I to understand that when you have a boner you like to imagine punching the shit out of Tom Bishop? That's disgusting.
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JimmyTheLobster

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Re: Garden pond
« Reply #26 on: June 07, 2023, 10:07:23 AM »
Well, I liked and subscribed.

Is all that your land?
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Space Cowgirl

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Re: Garden pond
« Reply #27 on: June 07, 2023, 10:41:33 AM »
Yeah, I have to mow as far as you can see in that direction, and in the directions you can't see. lol

I made a floating ring, and tied it to the sides. Then it started pouring rain, but so far the ring is keeping the plants away. I think I've got too much flow for this tank, but idk how to slow it down. The pump only has one speed. I wonder if I run an air tube with an air stone up the intake pipe if that would help. It would oxygenate the bog, at least.
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Quote from: Thork on November 27, 2012, 12:25:43 PM
I'm sorry. Am I to understand that when you have a boner you like to imagine punching the shit out of Tom Bishop? That's disgusting.
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Jura-Glenlivet II

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Re: Garden pond
« Reply #28 on: June 07, 2023, 02:34:42 PM »

Crazy dog.
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Space Cowgirl

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Re: Garden pond
« Reply #29 on: June 08, 2023, 06:16:51 AM »
She was wrestling a grasshopper. Very important work!
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Quote from: Thork on November 27, 2012, 12:25:43 PM
I'm sorry. Am I to understand that when you have a boner you like to imagine punching the shit out of Tom Bishop? That's disgusting.
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