Hello Manhattan Reefs

[Jerib]

Greetings,

I am new to Manhattan Reefs and thought I'd introduce myself. I wish the circumstances and timing were better as I know many of your are dealing with post Sandy power outages in and around the NYC metro area. I am currently in the process of setting up a reef tank in my school, MADIBA Prep, where I teach middle school science so if I can be of temporary assistance to anyone within driving distance please dont hesitate to reach out. We are a STEM-E school and I try to place a heavy emphasis on activities and project based learning as a wrap around for the New York State curriculum. This year my students will maintain one 30 Gal. Reef tank, one 55 Gal. Freshwater tank and one 20 Gal. African Cichlid tank. I am eager to meet any of you who plan on attending the Manhattan Reefs Fall Frag Swap on the 18th. I am a graduate of Pratt myself and have been an acquaintance of Randy's for just under a year. He is the Master and has, in my humble opinion, one of the most beautiful setups I have ever seen. I am an advanced certified SCUBA diver and love the sea. Best regards to you all and once again, please don't hesitate to reach out if I can help anyone who may be dealing with temporary power outages.

 

[prattreef]

Welcome Jerib. I think it is fantastic what you are doing with your kids. Hey MR, it occurred to me that perhaps some good could possibly come from some of the reefing tragedy that is raging at the moment. If any of you who have had system failures and are not game for rebooting why not consider donating a tank or some equipment to Jerib and his school. It would be a great way to continue your reefing legacy in a really meaningful way. Of course, even if you aren't getting out of the hobby and you have some extra equipment laying around that would be appreciated too.

 

[Widdy]

Hi Jerib and welcome. Any particular piece of equipment you're in need of? I have some spare equipment laying around that you're more than welcomed to... or I may have a full setup available, pending decision as I just had 2 tanks that failed from the wrath of Sandy.

Let me know and enjoy your stay!

 

[MeanGreenEyes]

I can donate some frags for the reef tank/plants and actually have planted tank substrate that I can donate, maybe a canister filter and can help you seed the freshwater tank as well. I wish my daughter's middle school would start a reef tank...I think you're doing a great thing. Lmk....

 

[Jerib]

Hey MeanGreenEyes and Widdy, thanks for the positive replies. MeanGreenEyes, I would be happy to come and pick up any frags for the reef tank, plants and tank substrate. If in fact you do want to get rid of the canister filter that would be awesome. As of last night I plan on setting up a 55 Gal reef and a 55 Gal. fresh water. I picked up two donated 55 Gal. tanks from one MR member in Yonkers last night.

Widdy I am truly in need of everything. I actually had my entire staff apply for the Pets in the Classroom Grant which we received so we'll be heading to PetSmart to get some basic hardware. I may use the grant monies, which isn't much, to get things like 55 Gal. tank stands, substrate and a fish or two. I certainly need other things like protein skimmers, filters, lighting, and live rock so whatever spare equipment you may have laying around that you're willing to part with I would greatly appreciate anything. I am sorry to hear that you had tank failures during Sandy. This whole experience been devastating on many levels for so many New Yorkers.

 

[MeanGreenEyes]

Hey MeanGreenEyes and Widdy, thanks for the positive replies. MeanGreenEyes, I would be happy to come and pick up any frags for the reef tank, plants and tank substrate. If in fact you do want to get rid of the canister filter that would be awesome. As of last night I plan on setting up a 55 Gal reef and a 55 Gal. fresh water. I picked up two donated 55 Gal. tanks from one MR member in Yonkers last night.

The planted tank substrate will definitely fill a 55g tank...it's yours...I spent a lot on it and couldn't bare just throwing it out since my focus is more on reefing than fw these days...so this will serve a great purpose. There were never any medications used in it. I only set it up for maybe 2 months and converted the tank to salt. You will need to bring buckets to transport it. There is a lot. I haven't used the canister in a long time but I will pull it out and check it out. I will go through all of my supplies...I have A LOT that I can donate to you. Pm'ing you my number to coordinate a time for pickup.

 

[rkaragozler]

Jerib, let me know what kind of lighting you want to do, I have some stuff laying around. Also we can frag some stuff from my tank also.

 

[Jerib]

Hey Widdy I am truly in need of everything. I actually had my entire staff apply for the Pets in the Classroom Grant which we received so we'll be heading to PetSmart to get some basic hardware. I may use the grant monies, which isn't much, to get things like 55 Gal. tank stands, substrate and a fish or two. I certainly need other things like protein skimmers, filters, lighting, and live rock so whatever spare equipment you may have laying around that you're willing to part with I would greatly appreciate anything. I am sorry to hear that you had tank failures during Sandy. I have a 10 Gal. that is cycling empty now if anyone needs space to store anything. This whole experience been devastating on many levels for so many New Yorkers.

 

[egriesner]

I have a 65 gallon tank I can donate

 

[Jerib]

Hey Ritchie,

I actually have no idea what type of lighting system I am going to use. The last full-blown reef tank I had setup was several years ago. For this 55Gal. system I used four 96 Watt 50/50 actinic fluorescents and one 36" metal halide. I'd be lucky if I could do something like that this time around given the expense on a teachers salary. Last year I had a 10 Gal. setup in my 8th grade classroom with a Zoo Med 15 Watt Reef 50/50 Fluorescent and this worked pretty well. This year I will set up another 55 Gal. I went up to Maximum Reef Aquatics in Yonkers Thursday night after seeing their post and they gave me two 55's for free since they were trying to make room. So since I'll need to light it thats the plan but I'm able to start slow since I haven't put anything it in yet. I just have a 10 Gal. cycling with some semi-live rock from last years tank and water thus far. Any suggestions? I'm game.

 

[Jerib]

Wow thats awesome. I just got a 55 from Max Reef Aquatics but it needs to be plugged since it was part of there setup at the store. Perhaps it would make more sense to simply move up in size to eliminate the need to patch it, given the chance I'd be taking with leaks over time. It's crazy right now trying to get gas but what's your availability? I'll figure out a way to get to you.

 

[egriesner]

The tank I can donate is a 65 gallon oceanic 36x18. However it is not reef ready and would still need to be drilled or have and overflow box. I'm in Miami until Thursday. You can get it any time after that. Search for my posts and you will see a pic of it.

 

[egriesner]

My cell is 7189862437. I may have limited service as I'm on a cruise. But feel free to ask me any questions.

 

[Jerib]

The tank looks great. If its still available when you return I'd love to have it. Enjoy your vacation and lets talk when you return, you picked a great time to be out of the city.

 

[egriesner]

Thanks jerib. I come back tonight as long as the weather permits. If I get back tonight you are welcome to come. I a. Supposed to land around 230 pm.

 

[LowezAkar24]

Welcome!

 

[James]

Welcome.

I am a teacher, have a reef tank at school (and teach a marine bio elective) and am a diver. A lot in common, plus Randy told me we would get along. We should get together sometime and compare schools or some such thing.

James

 

[egriesner]

Please post pics!

 

[Josh]

I have a brand new protein skimmer that would work for one of your tanks. PM me.

 

[Tranquil201]

Welcome!