Khürt Williams

Hi everyone,

I just received a UNS Delta 30 canister filter for my planted UNS 25C cube tank. To my surprise, the box contained no setup instructions. Just the pre-assembled filter, tubing, a couple of grey hose clamp nuts, and some Aquario Neo Flow glass pipes. There was a printed parts list, but no actual guide for how to install or use the thing.

•	How to connect the tubing (and in what order),
•	How to fit the clamps properly,
•	How to fill or prime the unit (there’s no primer button I can find),
•	How to safely measure/cut tubing before committing.

I’m now stuck with a seized compression nut on the outlet tap, which may need replacement. It’s been a really frustrating experience, especially because I’m mid–dry start and racing the clock to get water flowing before the plants fail.

So my question is: Is this normal for UNS hardware? Do they really expect customers to figure it out on their own, or did I somehow miss something that was supposed to be included?

Thanks in advance. Just trying to understand if this is how it usually goes — or if I got unlucky.

Hi everyone,

I’m trying to find a sci‑fi short story or novella I read in the 1990s—likely in Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine or an anthology such as The Year’s Best Science Fiction (Gardner Dozois, etc.). I remember the following key elements:

• The United States is in decline and gripped by technophobia—possibly even banning AI and robotics.

• Asia, or a pan‑Asian government, is experiencing a technological golden age, leading the world in AI and android development.

• The major twist: It’s revealed that some apparently human, trusted individuals in the U.S. are actually sentient androids created in Asia.

• There’s no invasion or war—the story focuses on subtle, secret infiltration and an ideological shift.

• Tones are reflective, political, eerie—not action-packed.

I’ve read The Diamond Age, Jipi and the Paranoid Chip, and Heinlein’s The Sixth Column, but none match. If anyone recognises this—by author, title, or anthology—I’d be deeply grateful. Thanks!