Helping a school

[bigdog1428]

Hey guys ,, i just spoke with dumbster,, and he told me that he helped setup a tank in a school for a friend,, so I was thinking if anyone else can help out by donating lil frags of something to give diversity to the tank. I'm sure it will spark interest in the kids, and I'm sure we can help setup a nice tank for then,, from what I understand the tank is up and running. I'm makin up a frag of some
Xenia's and I'm goin to make a frag of papaya cloves. Pm dumbster(I hope I'm spellin his name right). He has all the info . And immA try to getup with u today if possible. Let's make some kids happy

Sent from my iPhone using Reefs

 

[nminunni]

yea, let me see what I can scrape together. As always, its all about the kids

 

[THEDLO]

Greate idea.....but saltwater tanks don't sound safe in a classroom setting....in terms of the tank. The tank would be completely un attended for 2 days....we don't go more then 8 hrs from our thanks and they can still crash....(knock on wood) IMO fresh water was the way to go...

 

[rkaragozler]

+ 1, also take into consideration of ph fluctuations

 

[bigdog1428]

From when I spoke to dumbster,, the tank is up and runnin already, so I dont know specifics ,, he had all the info ,, I was just happy to help kids ,, and I know everyone here is very kind and giving. I'm sure he will chime in soon


Sent from my iPhone using Reefs

 

[JARRETT SHARK]

if no air condition a chiller is a must

 

[nminunni]

this all depends on size. A nano would be fine in a classroom without a chiller. I am assuming this is not going to be up and running through the summer.

A small nano with PC's isnt going to generate that much heat. Also it is possible someone will go in and perform maintenance on the weekends? If not, the tank would be fine being fed Friday afternoons, until Monday morning.

just my $0.02

 

[prattreef]

As someone who has spearheaded, setup and maintained 1 or more marine systems at my son's elementary school for the past 5 years let me chime in with my experience.
-First it is possible to do and the kids absolutely love it. BUT it requires a firm commitment not only from the person who sets it up, but also from one or more people in the school-- the science teacher, a custodian, the principal etc.
-Keep the system simple-- fish and shrooms and leathers etc. If the system is designed well, weekends or even long weekends are not an issue. Longer breaks and summer vacation is very much an issue. I alternate with the science teacher coming in to the school over breaks every few days. Recently, a custodian has agreed to do some basic stuff and since they are there year round that really helps.
-Heat is an issue. Put the system in either an air-conditioned space or in the lobby which tends to be cooler than a classroom.
--train students to help out. This gives them ownership and really helps with vandalism etc.
--approach the PTA for support--even if you get a lot of the stuff donated there are still costs.

It is a totally worthwhile thing to do-- really one of my greatest joys in the hobby, but it requires a real coordinated effort to make it work.

 

[TheDumbSter]

As someone who has spearheaded, setup and maintained 1 or more marine systems at my son's elementary school for the past 5 years let me chime in with my experience.
-First it is possible to do and the kids absolutely love it. BUT it requires a firm commitment not only from the person who sets it up, but also from one or more people in the school-- the science teacher, a custodian, the principal etc.
-Keep the system simple-- fish and shrooms and leathers etc. If the system is designed well, weekends or even long weekends are not an issue. Longer breaks and summer vacation is very much an issue. I alternate with the science teacher coming in to the school over breaks every few days. Recently, a custodian has agreed to do some basic stuff and since they are there year round that really helps.
-Heat is an issue. Put the system in either an air-conditioned space or in the lobby which tends to be cooler than a classroom.
--train students to help out. This gives them ownership and really helps with vandalism etc.
--approach the PTA for support--even if you get a lot of the stuff donated there are still costs.

It is a totally worthwhile thing to do-- really one of my greatest joys in the hobby, but it requires a real coordinated effort to make it work.

+1! I setup a small tank. And has been running great. My wifes friend (the teacher) does a great job on maintaining it. Right now all she has is nemo (true perc). She was just asking me the other day if there was anything else she could add, I told her that the member I purchased the tank from had a rbta with 2 clowns and some live rock and they did great. So I was thinking of doing the same another clown and a rbta. The kids all LOVE it, each take turn on feeding every 2 days. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks guys!

 

[bigdog1428]

Well I have the rbta,, and I'm not gunna risk hurting it ,, So u can have the rock ,, and I made up a frag of papaya cloves ,, and some pulsing xenia's


Sent from my iPhone using Reefs

 

[TheDumbSter]

Well I have the rbta,, and I'm not gunna risk hurting it ,, So u can have the rock ,, and I made up a frag of papaya cloves ,, and some pulsing xenia's


Sent from my iPhone using Reefs

Thx!!!!! Lmk wen u wanna meet up.

 

[Dre]

Hey guys ,,[PDF OVERLAY][/PDF OVERLAY] i just spoke with dumbster,, and he told me that he helped setup a tank in a school for a friend,,[PDF OVERLAY][/PDF OVERLAY]


Sent from my iPhone using Reefs

What's the name of this ''School'' anyway ?Did you bother to ask ?

 

[James]

As someone who has done this in a classroom (mine), I can agree to all of Randy's points. It is really an awesome thing to do and is not THAT difficult. Mainly, keep it simple and softies-only or FOWLR . Anything else and it becomes a lot more work (and possibly dead corals). As for the RBTA, I suppose if you have the proper lighting for it then it is cool, I can't really speak to that. Last year we set up a tank in my classroom thanks to Randy, TomtomtoothDoc and Moidol. Who all contributed something nice. We had a 12 gallon eclipse, some of Randy's LR, a whole bunch of goodies (shrimp, hydrometer, digital thermometer) from Tom and a ton of frags from Steve. After the school year ended I gave the tank to one of the students who kept the shrimp and fish alive. The corals are another story. This year I will be installing another tank (donated by Tom, who is amazing btw) and trying our hand at raising clownfish fry for a 6 month long science project!! I will make a thread when the time comes. If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me a PM.

-James

 

[bigdog1428]

What's the name of this ''School'' anyway ?Did you bother to ask ?

no i didnt bother to ask,, im sure he will provide us with pics,,and updates as everything progresses

 

[Tarazed]

I'm also a teacher and presently teaching marine science and environmental science to 11th and 12th graders. So far we went on a fishing trip with a few more trips in the works.

I've also been talking to the students about setting up a tank. Any additional thoughts? Originally I was thinking african cichlids. But a softy tank would be great. We have a tank in the department, but, I think it was used to house a snake a few years ago. I could frag some stuff from my tank. Any fish recommendations? The students would probably be interested in variety ie fish, shrimp, hermit crabs etc.

Any ideas would be appreciated. Hope this helps the original post some how!!

 

[prattreef]

Clownfish are pretty much a must and if you can provide a reasonable environment the clownfish - anemone symbiosis affords endless teaching opportunities. RBTA's are incredibly hardy and would make a good choice. A flame hawkfish also seems to be a durable favorite. Royal gramma--colorful and hardy. Maybe a shrimp goby and pistol shrimp.

 

[Tarazed]

Any tank size recommendations? I would probably forgo a skimmer in place of VERY frequent water changes. I'm sure the students will want to get their hand "wet". I also CAN NOT have a leak, were on the third floor. So I'm thinking canister filter, maybe t5 lights, any other thoughts?

 

[prattreef]

40 breeder or a 75 g. depending on your space situation. You could also do a 24g. nano cube if you can get your hands on one---plug and play is pretty convenient.

 

[TheDumbSter]

What's the name of this ''School'' anyway ?Did you bother to ask ?

PS 307 right across the street from PS 19 on 100th street and roosevelt ave queens. Teacher is Ms. Cruz calss located on 4th fl 2 door on the left. Hope that helps.

 

[bigdog1428]

PS 307 right across the street from PS 19 on 100th street and roosevelt ave queens. Teacher is Ms. Cruz calss located on 4th fl 2 door on the left. Hope that helps.

Lol I feel the school field trip to
The spring mr meet !!!
Sent from my iPhone using Reefs