Need Help/Advice! creating tank for Developmentally Disabled. Important!

[Aegla Wish]

Taking in the lack of budget and the reticence of the the director to chance a venture on another fish tank, mine sounds like a better option. Optically, what you describe is nice, but this isn't a retirement home, or a rehab center. This is a low budget residential facility for the active treatment of developmental disabilites. This shelf is lower down, and about my only option, as safety and room does not allow for a large stand. As for the Kuhlii's. I have Residents who are specifically in love with snakes. Larger snake shaped fish tend to cause problems being agressive or eating anything smaller. I strongly considered a rope fish, but dismissed it for this reason. You are welcome to suggest a better option fulfilling my needed requirements.

I need a tank that is easily maintained and clean, which a tall full of messy or temperamental fish, unfortunately is not, and perhaps too conspicuous. I work with and teach my residents monday through Friday, so I am trying to take my inside knowledge to create the best options for them

Too colorful and large might also be a problem because I have residents with fixation issues. I want this to be enjoyable to the majority of residents, not a detrimental obsession for a few. My director absolutely does not want another large hi maintenance tank. But thank you for your suggestion. I would welcome any more good ideas you may have.

 

[Aegla Wish]

Sorry about this being so long, I actually started out just wanting to say that you seemed to be over complicating things when what you wanted was a cheap, low maintenance tank that can survive a lot of neglect if it needs to. Good luck with this project.

Oh don't worry, I very much welcome any help!

You have given me some good ideas to think about. A smaller tank may indeed be the way to go. I've been thinking thinking about the 20 long, because of the large surface area, larger tank= more balance/ stable, and the larger tank fitting the whole area would be easy for my to secure with L brackets and a locking canopy.

Sub-tropical may be a good idea. I have one myself, however, the room is usually pretty warm. perhaps too warm for coldwater. I am a little biased with invertebrates. I'm a big fan, but not worrying about breeding is true. It can't be counted on in a community, but I think I'd still like a few shrimp. They can be so intriguing.

I did see some bookself tanks for sale, but they are so small. 6.5 gallons. I'm not sure I could fit much in that...... but , I may have to consider it. I know my ideal plan would be fantastic, but I don't have much to work with and will probably have to compromise.


I must admit I am probably much too emotionally invested in this project, Working so closely with and caring so much about these people.

I just wish there were a tank, 26 or 30"X 9X like.. 12. That would be really perfect. .....*sigh* bumps keep turning up in my planning but I am determined to make this happen. If I had the skills to build my own reliable tank to size, I would.

 

[Aegla Wish]

From experience of working with adults with learning disabilities and now being a deputy manager of a company that offers care for people of all disabilities I love this idea. It will be a hard one to police, especially as the previous post states people are tactile and love touching things. Best fish is always goldfish but with your tank that won't work. Good luck with the project!!!
Tony

Thank you so much! I really appreciate your support! I am determined to make this happen, but I need to remember to be flexible with my plans and research in order to give it the best chance of success. I'm just so invested, i'm driving myself crazy trying to think how to do this.

 

[Jannika]

A 20 long is a good size. If you're lucky, your tap water hardness and pH is somewhere in the middle, but it can run the gamut from super hard to soft. A good way to help insure trouble-free tanks is stocking with fish that are best suited to your source water.

It's a wonderful idea, I wish you all the best.

 

[Aegla Wish]

"Get the largest acrylic tank that you can fit up there."....

..."for filtration you need to keep it all in the tank for security reasons so a UGF driven by a pair of powerheads is the best option. I would skip the plants if possible but if you must have them I would keep it to low light and small root system plants like java or anubis."

Thank you. I've heard acrylic are stronger, but I've also heard they scratch really easy. That sounds like a clever solution, but I ask our maintenance engineer if that would be easier or the locking canopy. It is a built in shelfing Unit, and the shelf I have selected is reinforced and could easily carry over 100lbs. I don't recognize the "UGF" Reference.

 

[Aegla Wish]

A 20 long is a good size. If you're lucky, your tap water hardness and pH is somewhere in the middle, but it can run the gamut from super hard to soft. A good way to help insure trouble-free tanks is stocking with fish that are best suited to your source water.

It's a wonderful idea, I wish you all the best.

Thank you so much!!! I live in Utah and our water is pretty hard, but our ph is pretty close to 7 most of the time, and the lfs I would get most of the stock from tend to have good quality and many locally breed used to the water. I want to get relatively sturdy fish anyway. Please, more ideas are welcome!

 

[Aegla Wish]

Awesome! As for a tank I would check around locally for a good deal or wait til petsmart has a good sale. try looking around the forums for people selling fish and shrimp and tell them what it's for and you may be able to get them to donate it. Substrate I got 50lb bag of aquarium gravel (fine) for $25

Thanks! Love your pen name by the way. I try asking.

 

[Jannika]

The water sounds perfect. I've bought many fish from Utah, and they're very healthy stock! Just keep in mind that 20 gallon tank will weigh over 200 lbs filled. Is the shelf mounted directly to the wall, or is it part of a free standing unit?

 

[Aegla Wish]

Where are you located? If you are anywhere near Northern Virginia or want to make a trip here I would be willing to donate the tank and the filters as I have several 20 longs and even more filters that are not in use.

That would be awesome! Unfortunately no, I live in Utah. Darn. But thank you

 

[Aegla Wish]

This really brightened my day! And I think it will for others, too. That's why my advice to you is to write up something just like you posted above and put it on Craigslist every day (And do it for the three around your area. If people believe in a cause, they will make it happen even if they aren't in your city!)

Also, if you have a Facebook page or know someone that does, post it there and ask people to share it around. Word-of-mouth is powerful! A lot of people have spare aquarium parts laying around in their attics (Or is that just my family?!) or have a few dollars to donate.

And remember that you may have to make compromises on some things!

THanks so much! I live in Utah and we have another classifieds too I've been trying. I really appreciate your support. I know I might have to compromise, I'm just not used to putting myself out there, but I know I have to if I want this to happen.