Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Ravens Select Wide Receiver Marquise Brown in NFL Draft




A graduate of Farmingdale State University in New York, Bryan Tornee serves as an operating engineer with EP Milling and Sweeping. Outside of his professional pursuits, Bryan Tornee enjoys watching his favorite National Football League (NFL) team, the Baltimore Ravens.

The 2019 NFL Draft took place in April. Baltimore, under new general manager Eric DeCosta, selected wide receiver Marquise Brown with its first-round pick, 25th overall. Although the Ravens don't have an exemplary record in drafting wide receivers, Brown was considered one of the most explosive playmakers available and should present a much-needed target for quarterback Lamar Jackson, especially following the departures of John Brown and Michael Crabtree. 

At 5 feet 10 inches and 175 pounds, Brown's size is of concern. He is also recovering from Lisfranc surgery after a foot injury in the Big 12 championship game of December 1, 2018. He isn't expected to be cleared for practice until July. 

Brown’s numbers, however, speak to his impressive abilities. In two seasons at the University of Oklahoma, Brown registered 17 touchdowns and 2,413 receiving yards, the latter leading the Big 12 at that time.

Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Choosing the Proper Substrate for a Home Saltwater Aquarium


Since 2013, Bryan Tornee has served as an operating engineer for EP Milling and Sweeping Corp in New York. Outside of work, Bryan Tornee enjoys fishing and building saltwater aquariums.

Creating a beautiful and functional aquarium involves a great deal of foresight and planning. One of the most important decisions that individuals need to make relates to the substrate, or the items found at the bottom of the tank. Different types of materials are suitable depending on the final plans for the tank. 

If the tank will have strong currents, it is important to purchase heavier substrate, for example. Items used for substrate can also serve as biological filters, so hobbyists should pay attention to issues like porosity and surface area.

When making an aquarium, live rock is often a critical component. A number of different breeds of fish, as well as other marine species, display territorial tendencies. Providing adequate spaces for these creatures to hide and sleep can help reduce aggression in the tank. Live rock offers this sort of shelter. 

Despite its name, live rock is not actually alive, but instead merely supports living animals. Live rock consists of organic calcium carbonate and can come in several different forms. To figure out the best form of live rock for a given aquarium, it may make the most sense to talk to a professional about the available options.