Good for you! I want to get a bubbler but I keep forgetting. I guess I am going to have to put it on my shopping list. That is the only way I will remember to buy one. Keep us informed as to how your project is going. Sure sounds like you are off to a good start. Good Luck!

Hey Joe! First of all, I personally think (and as far as "we" know) plants' purpose is much more than sole reproduction. Plants aren't only an important part of the food chain, but have complex symbiotic connections and relationships inside their own kingdom as in others. They play an important role in keeping earth atmosphere clean and stable, as we know. Furthermore they could be building material for bird nests, or serve rodents or mammals for multiple other purposes (castors), etc, etc. But most importantly, they are the recycled building blocks for soil, humus, folic acids and yes, too many to mention. I don't need to point out what they provide for one particular species called Homo Sapiens, or do I? We wouldn't leave the tremendous purposes that plants have for us out of the equation, or would we? I believe that my statement as in "In nature and in soil culture, it doesn't work like that" is totally accurate when put in the original context I used it - and not treated in a different-one. In nature nutrient supply is either quite stable, varies widely and sometimes is even random, and yet plants are able to adopt, survive and reproduce under various (although in sufficient) conditions. Unlike hydroponic culture which is a much more stable and controlled (sometimes even intentionally manipulated) environment indeed. You gave the example of rainy (or monsoon) season. Well that's actually a good example to demonstrate that it is in fact the other way round. In Northern Thailand and in many other tropical or subtropical regions, the monsoon season is quite extended, as it generally last from May until November, that's about 7 month of frequent rainfalls, high humidity that goes along with high bacterial activity and a rather stable PH in soil (depending on area, forest or open field etc., of course). And yet many "blooming-fruiting" plants can cover 2 complete reproduction cycles in this time laps, with quite stable climatic and in fact similar nutritional conditions. In a Rain-forest, you have got extremely stable and constant climatic conditions and virtually no changes in "nutrient availability" due to climatic changes, as well as soil PH is concerned. And yet you have the greatest biodiversity in both animal and plant kingdom there is on earth. On top of that, around the equator you have very constant (actually unchanged) light cycles. How would the reproduction cycle be triggered at such location then, if not simply by a "time clock" as I suggested. In some "moderate-oceanic" climate or any other much more seasonal climate where "annum species" are much more common, with some plants, reproduction cycles get indeed triggered by light cycle and to some extend certainly also through nutrient availability. But as I understood it, this is more like a "survival instinct" or a last resort to ensure reproduction in a rush with drought or nearing winter, a survival plan B if you prefer. Thus one shouldn't fall for a hasty generalization and think this is COMMON with all plants and under all climates. Last but not least, the culture plants in question, tomatoes and various pepper species (those were actually discussed, right?) are in fact tropical pants by origin - but let's be objective here: heavily cultivated and domesticated since then. Thus I assume that these plants are not only genetically, but due to domestication, selection and culture in fact adapted to controlled and rather stable conditions and this is one more clue why their uptake habits may not be connected with drastic nutrient changes that are directly linked to climatic changes. But what is the conclusion?! I mean what is of actual Interest for hydroponics and what is in fact the best nutrient strategy for tomatoes or peppers? I guess that practice and experience, experimentation, scientific records and commercially used nutritional plans are required. And that extended debates are in fact just suited as "office reading matter" or for general entertainment purposes ;-) Honestly, I like to narrate indeed, but I don't conclude never ever any of my nutrient strategies from any slightly controversial "forum debate" LOL

Shayle 40 glass break sensors? Wow - that is a lot. Are they planning to mount the senors directly to the glass - or are they using a ceiling/wall mount sensor that can cover several windows in one area? I have about 12 glass break sensors in my home - and it's a good size house (5000+ sq ft). For example - one glass break sensor in the dining room ceiling covers 3 large windows. If you use the Honeywell 1625 Glass break sensor - which comes in several different styles - you can reduce the number of glass break sensors. The 1625 has a range of 25 feet. You might check out this site: http://www.aesecurity.com which is where I purchased all of my alarm parts. The site is useful since they provide data sheets on all of the sensors and you can read about their capabilities (and see what they cost). Be very very careful when dealing with alarm companies - they make their money by charging you per sensor or per zone - so the more sensors or zones they can cram in - the more they make. As far as zones - you can have multiple sensors tied to a single zone. For example - I have 3 doors on the front of the house where one can enter - the front door, the door through the garage, and then a side patio door. All 3 of these doors have a magnetic sensor - but they are tied to 1 zone. This is commonly called "sensors in series" or "in-series" connections. Obviously- the more sensors you can group in series, the fewer zones you need on the controller and that can allow a smaller alarm panel or fewer zone expander modules. Another thing to watch out for is the fire monitoring. In my first house, the alarm company refused to tie the alarm system into the house smoke detectors. Instead, they charged me a few hundred dollars for an additional smoke detector that was only tied into the alarm system - and not connected to the house smoke detectors. It was a bunch of bull. A good alarm company can make a tiny little device that allows the 9 volt traveler wire in your house smoke detectors to be monitored (it's the red or yellow wire on the smoke detector). This little traveler wire is what is used to set off all house smoke detectors when only one detects smoke. The alarm company can monitor this signal. If they tell you they can't do it due to code - have them install it after the final inspection. It is a lot cleaner to use your existing home smoke detectors then to have 2 sets of detectors. The Vista 20P panel might be too small for your system if each of the sensors has a dedicated zone. However, if some of these sensors are grouped in series, then it might be fine. In my house, I have 12 glass break sensors (each one on a seperate zone), 10 magnetic sensors on doors (3 zones), 3 CO sensor each on a seperate zone, 7 motion sensors each on a seperate zone, and 1 fire zone. A grand total of 25 zones and 32 sensors. I also have 3 keypads. I used the Vista 20P and 3 zone expander modules. In the future I paln to add a few more glass break sensors in the basement as well as some exterior IR sensors.

I would live in the house for six months to a year before you spend any money on the kitchen. During that time make notes of the things you like and ideas for change. It would be a waste of money to change out the backsplash, then decide you want to change the range hood or the counters. Get your idea book crammed with pictures and then look at them for the theme that attracted you to them. Years ago I had lots of pictures marked in all my magazines (remember magazines?). When I looked at the collection, I realized the common theme was blue. That told me the direction to take in my new house. Your kitchen is beautiful and functional for now. Walk around with your cup of coffee early in the morning to discover what you like about it. Sip your glass of wine in the evening while you contemplate the changes that will bring you the most happiness for the money.