Most stock tank floating de-icers have a thermostat that will shut the device down when the water temperature is above freezing. You should read the instructions to see if your device has this feature. If it does, the water might not be so warm. I would get a thermometer and test the pond water at different depths. Water reacts to temperature changes much slower then air. If your pond has a decent volume, it will react slowly to a decrease in air temperature and give your fish time to react to the change. My air temperature was near 50F on Friday, but it was -8F on Sunday morning. I doubt the water changed a single degree at the bottom of the pond. I think some warmer temperatures are coming (for the ground hog) next week. That might be a good time to shut down the stock tank heater and let the pond adjust. My air pump bubbler failed at -12F, but has maintained a hole during higher sub zero temperatures. I used a stock tank heater to melt a hole after the -12F, but have not needed it since. Best of luck.

Hi OO, I'll make it simple. These are hardy, rugged plants, one needn't worry or look to be so precise & exact for them. I grow indoors only in NYC & my kitchen window is all Aloes on a West windowsill on top of a working radiator. Bottom line -- the maximum light you can give it (starting gradually of course); can be direct sun, but also fine w/ bright indirect. I tend to leave mine alone & pretty much ignore them. I'd suggest you do nothing to yours for at least a month, let them become accustomed to their new home, then maybe into a terra cotta pot, especially if you tend to overwater (don't know if you do or not, a general suggestion). FYI: in these plant circles of ours AV = African Violets, almost always; otherwise we just say Aloes or Aloe vera, but save AV for African Violet (see how long that is, that's why we say AV). Hi Jonas, FYI, your mix looks kind of peaty, if it were my plant, I'd change that mix to something much more gritty or if that's all you've got, I'd add at least 40% perlite or pumice to make it fast draining; that mix looks slow to drain, which increases chances of rot. Having explained above that I only grow indoors, in MY home, brown on Aloes would be a possible sign of rot, brown on Aloes is NOT a good thing, tho' you seem to think it is. Brown is not a winter color for Aloes (unless I misunderstand your post). They're supposed to be green like in the pix you've shown, not brown (at least when grown indoors). I wouldn't be in a hurry to remove the pups; I like to ensure they're old enough to move out on their own before I do that & also, aesthetically, I prefer the look of the crowded pot like yours.

Perhaps you need a stipple brush. These are most often used for stenciling, but are also used for other paint techniques. A stipple brush applies paint in an up and down motion which might be better at getting paint into the holes. Here is a picture of two types. The one on the right is typical of stencil brushes while the one on the left is most often used on walls. I do not know that this will fix your problem, but it's the first thing that came to mind.You might be able to thin the kilz with water. Thinner paint is more likely to flow into the tiny holes. Also try using a sponge to apply the thinned paint.

We have just enough room for the recline/swivel feature. We could back the chairs up a bit but I wanted a pathway behind the chairs to go out side. In my living room picture You are looking at one of the only interior walls in my home. It is all windows and glass doors. Poor piano. The coffee table is probably too big. Also when the chairs are reclined you can't reach the table. II thought maybe a low small round table between the chairs?