Compost, when finished, will be neutral in pH, Any web site that tells you it will be anything other than neutral is one to stay away from since that person does not know what they are talking about. There are a number of things that can influence the smell from compost, and I have puzzeled over some, but except for that heavy ammonia (too much Nitrogen) or the putrid odors that come from a too wet compost I have not seen where most have any adverse affect on the plants. For the first 5 years that I composted, until I learned to balance inputs, I would get some very different odors, but once I learned to balance the inputs the only odor eminating from the compost is that of rich earth.

Don't blame yourself. I just got rid of three in the 5-8 inch range I acquired from a person leaving town (and his aquarium) --and they wouldn't even EAT in my presence. (But they nibbled my plantlets down to the substrate every night, arrgh!). The larger 2 would occasionally slam to the top for no apparent reason and splash water all over if I had the top open, and the smallest already both eyes damaged, probably from just such antics. Eventually I found that if I filled the tank all the way to almost touching the top, they would still swim up and splash water (the previous owner had cats!)(?) -but wouldn't try to jump. I miss 'em ... but the tank was(is) only 37 gallon, and they were forever butting/rubbing noses against the glass unless I turned their lights off. I also eventually discovered they _would_ voraciously eat scraps/gristle on chicken bones, as ALL of my various fish now do. I had been adding half a 500mg Oyster-Shell Calcium tab to each tank every few weeks, but maybe that wasn't enough: My Plecos and Algae-Eaters can't get enough of chewing on the ends of the bones left behind when my other fish finish with them.

I have had the Elux Icon Speed oven for 8 years now. It has been trouble free, except for a screw that came loose that holds on the handle, (was easy to fix). As you mentioned, it does not broil, most of the time we do that outside, but I can use the broiler in my regular Elux oven. We like potatoes, sweet potatoes and yams here, and it sure is nice to be able to do them in 14 minutes (including preheat), compared to the regular oven which takes 45-60 minutes). The Elux "defaults" to the microwave mode, just enter time and push start, and we have used it a lot as a mircrowave in the 8 years we've had it. We could do just about anything (except broil), that we could do in our regular oven, and I've baked turkey thighs, stuffed tomatoes, meatloaf, desserts~~~you name it. It came in handy as a "2nd oven" during "Thanksgiving", (for some of the "side dishes"). I've found that for reheating poultry and fish, as well as French fries, that these "Somewhat tricky to reheat" items come out best when reheated in the speed oven using "Speed Cook"~~~they don't get soggy like they would if you just nuked them or tried to reheat in a regular oven. You can watch "The Great Potato Race" on UTube, to see a comparison, (well actually a contest) baking potatoes using the Miele and Electrolux Speed Ovens. The Elux was easier to use as I just chose potatoes, entered how many and the Speed oven did the rest. With the Miele, the user had to enter preheat time, (alto he did not use preheat), He had to enter temp, cooking time with convection, cooking time using microwave, etc etc. The Miele Speed ovens do enjoy a good reputation here in Garden Web~~~~but~~~~~I would invite you to google "Miele Speed Oven Reviews" before forming any opinions about the Miele. (Likewise do the same for "Electrolux Speed Oven). Wife still likes her large oven, so it does get some use(Large oven), alto there have been very few times in the 8 years that we've had the speed oven that which we cook would not fit in it! Anyway, to "Sum It Up", My Speed oven is one appliance I will never be without, ( I even do my toast in it)~~~We don't eat enough toast to merit buying a toaster, and the toast comes out great~~~You just have to "Flip it"! The other appliance I could never do without??????? My Elux Icon Induction Cook Top~~~~~We love that cook top!!!! Gary

Thats fun! I got it to change color 12 times. I remember someone posted this earlier this summer but its still fun to play. I don't need anything to drive me any crazier than I already am Leslie! ;)