INPUT ARTICLE: Article: This isn’t necessarily as simple as it sounds. Initially, feed your fish once a day when first setting up the tank, and once your aquarium is well established, you can begin feeding your fish according to the “little and often” rule.  Saltwater fish, particularly if they’re wild-caught, may need to be gradually weaned onto aquarium food over a period of weeks. Some fishkeepers recommend introducing a “rest day” once a week during which no feeding occurs. It’s believed this can benefit your fish's’ health and encourage them to actively look for food.  Food is the main source of waste and pollutants in your tank, so it’s crucial you don’t introduce too much, as overfeeding is one of the main reasons aquarium fish die.  Only feed your fish as much as they can consume in about 3-5 minutes and no more. Be sure to read the instructions on the fish food label. If food is left floating on the surface or sinks to the bottom, you’re overfeeding. There are three main types of fish food: food for bottom swimmers, middle swimmers, and top swimmers, so buy the correct type of food for the fish you own. It’s generally recommended that you feed your fish a variety of high-quality frozen and pelleted food, and that you make sure to defrost frozen food before feeding. Test the water each day to be sure the water temperature is consistent and in the ideal range for the type of fish in the aquarium.  In general, the ideal temperature for freshwater tropical fish is between 74 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit (23-28 degrees Celsius). For saltwater fish, the recommended temperature is usually between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (24-27 degrees Celsius). Every week, test the water hardness and alkalinity and the levels of ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, pH, and chlorine in your aquarium water. The ideal range of levels for freshwater fish are as follows:  pH - 6.5 - 8.2 Chlorine - 0.0 mg/L Ammonia - 0.0 - .25 mg/L Nitrite - 0.0 - 0.5 mg/L Nitrate - 0 - 40 mg/L Hardness - 100 - 250 mg/L Alkalinity - 120 - 300 mg/L Saltwater fish have more specific requirements that will vary by species and that will require additional specialized water-testing kits. To find out the specific needs of your saltwater fish, consult with a fish or aquarium retailer. In general, most saltwater fish need the following: Specific gravity: 1.020 - 1.024 mg/L pH: 8.0 - 8.4 Ammonia: 0 mg/L Nitrite: 0 mg/L Nitrate: 20 ppm or less (especially for invertebrates) Carbonate hardness: 7-10 dKH Water testing kits are available from most pet and aquarium retailers. If any of the levels are elevated, remove and replace some of the water until the levels are closer to where they need to be. If the water ever looks cloudy or dirty, replace some of the water and check that your water filter is working properly. For freshwater tanks, remove 10% of the water from the aquarium and replace it with the same amount of dechlorinated water every week. Make sure to add water that’s the same temperature as the water already in the tank or you could cause a temperature fluctuation that will be a stress on your fish. Once a month, remove 25% of the aquarium water and replace it with dechlorinated water. Be careful that the water is the same temperature as that already in the tank or you can cause your fish distress. For saltwater tanks, remove 20% of the water once a month, or about 5% per week. Be sure not to add freshly mixed saltwater directly to the tank; instead, prepare the saltwater mix at least one day before. Every week, clean the inside tank walls and remove any algae buildup.  Choose an acrylic- or glass-specific cleaning pad (according to the material used for your tank’s walls) to avoid scratching the surface.  If you have an overabundance of algae, it’s typically a sign that something in your aquarium’s environment isn’t balanced. Test the water levels, be sure you haven’t added too many fish, verify that you aren’t overfeeding, check that the tank isn’t exposed to excessive natural light, etc. Every month, perform complete water-filter maintenance.  Your water filtration system is vital to the maintenance of your aquarium because it removes floating debris and contaminants from the water while neutralizing ammonia and nitrites. Check the filter media (also called the filter floss). If needed, rinse it in some of the discarded tank water. Don’t rinse with tap or other water because it will upset the balance of good bacteria and possibly even kill them off.  Replace the carbon, filter cartridge, and pre-rinse filter. Change the air stone (helps with the water pump’s efficiency and longevity) every month. Clean the pump’s impeller assembly at least once a year. If you have live plants in your aquarium, prune them back once a month to prevent them from overgrowing. Also be sure to remove any brown or decaying leaves from your aquarium’s plants.

SUMMARY: Feed your fish regularly. Monitor the temperature everyday. Monitor the water’s composition. Scrub the walls of the aquarium. Maintain the water filter. Maintain the water pump. Keep any live plants pruned.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: American Girl has an active rewards program. You can earn one point for each $1.00 spent online or in their stores. For each 200 points, you receive $10.00 in rewards. Their rewards program is capped at receiving $50.00 in rewards each month. You can sign up for American Girl’s rewards program online or in stores. Go to http://www.americangirl.com/shop/. Click on the “sale” tab on the menu bar. American Girl has a wide variety of dolls and accessories on sale directly on their website. If buying a new American Girl doll is too expensive, consider buying a gently used doll. Second hand dolls can be found online at websites like Amazon or Ebay. You might even get lucky and find a doll at a local yard sale or thrift store. Second hand dolls may not always be cheaper. The retired dolls can have a significant markup in price. You can purchase American Girl dolls and accessories for significantly cheaper around Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and immediately following Christmas. They also have minor sales often surrounding holidays throughout the year. Sign up for American Girl’s e-newsletter to get the latest information about sales.

SUMMARY:
Sign up for their rewards program. Search for sales on their website. Buy the doll second hand. Make purchases during popular sales.