School Marine Aquarium

Skip the filter.... Load with less fish.

I think you should consider a sump/refugium instead of a filter. Consider the ability that this will provide to the lesson.

When you have a sump/refugium you will be more able to show and teach the various biological lessons, much better, to kids. They can watch the cheato growing. A natural filter. You can explain how the growing refugium algae is using the nitrate to build its structure and how that cycle reduces the level of nitrate.

How can you easily rationalize a mechanical filter to the natural system?

A sump/refugium could even reduce operating costs by stretching water change times a bit.
 
All the advice has been very helpful thus far. I think I am going to try to stretch the budget to include the starter package from Tampa Bay Saltwater (Shipping is what is going to kill us).

I will skip out on the external filter and use the money buy a powerhead. Are their specific brands people prefer and why?

I would love to get sump/refugium, but I don’t think we can pull it off this year. I do agree the potential for biological concepts are endless. Like I said earlier, this will be constantly evolving tank as new classes come in to take over. I would not be surprised if this will be an early addition.

Thank you again for all the help.
Jesse
 
Baker School said:
All the advice has been very helpful thus far. I think I am going to try to stretch the budget to include the starter package from Tampa Bay Saltwater (Shipping is what is going to kill us).

I will skip out on the external filter and use the money buy a powerhead. Are their specific brands people prefer and why?

I would love to get sump/refugium, but I don’t think we can pull it off this year. I do agree the potential for biological concepts are endless. Like I said earlier, this will be constantly evolving tank as new classes come in to take over. I would not be surprised if this will be an early addition.

Thank you again for all the help.
Jesse
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I prefer the Hydor Korallia powerhead range...They are affordable, good power, wide dispersed flow, easily mounted and moved if needed...
 
Kodiak said:
word:idea:
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totally agree.

Also, shipping is not bad with TBS. I paid 60$ for shipment 1 and nearly same for shipment 2. Even with shipping the LR was still WAAAAAY less than my local guy AND you get sand, tons of life, and CUC. It's a deal...promise!
 
All the advice has been very helpful thus far. I think I am going to try to stretch the budget to include the starter package from Tampa Bay Saltwater (Shipping is what is going to kill us).
Click to expand...
Good idea but it takes more labor in the first few days or weeks, so make sure someone is designated for it.

Including the weekend (s?).
 
Updated List

The kids are currently engrossed in their science fair projects which is unfortunate because your suggestions combined with our limited budget put us in a situation where creativity was welcome. I was left alone this evening to decide how to squeeze our budget to provide the most learning opportunities while maintaining a healthy marine ecosystem (If there is anyone out there who thinks we work 8-3 everyday, note the time on this post). The way things are going this tank will be the bare minimum going into the summer, then we can expand and add on when we are allowed to apply for more grants.

Here is our updated list. It incorporates the Tampa Bay Saltwater live rock package (We had an awesome discussion today about biological filtration) as well as taking water changes into more consideration.

All-Glass Aquarium Deluxe Full Fluorescent Hoods
All-Glass 10 Gallon “Hospital Tank”
All-Glass 10 Gallon “Water Change Tank”
Red Sea Marine Lab Test Kit (Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, pH, Alkalinity)
Hydor Koralia 1 Circ. Pump (400 gph)
Ehein Compact pump (80 gph)
Jager 150 Watt Submersible Heater (Tank)
Jager 75 w Heater (Water Change Heater)
Marina Easy Clean Gravel Cleaner
Hagen Hydrometer (8 inch)
Timer
Rainbow Lifeguard Little Time or Temp
29 Gallon Live Rock “Package” (Tampa Bay Aquatics)
Instant Ocean Reef Crystals
Frozen Fish Food
Clown Fish
Cardinal Fish (2)
Yellow Clown Goby

We still have a few questions.
1. I figured I could just buy a 10 gallon tank to mix water for water changes in. What do other people do?

2. We decided to order our fish from Inland Aquatics (Inlandaquatics.com). They specialize in tank raised fish and corals and also have a education program. Does anyone have experience with them?

3. Inland Aquatics suggested a pair of anenomefish, but I have also heard that they could be aggressive to the Cardinals if they are paired. What do you guys think?

4. What is the bare minimum that we can get away with for testing in this initial phase of getting this thing running? Will this Red Sea kit cover it?

Thank you!

Jesse
 
I want to assure you that with the TBS live rock all on it's own you will be totally satisfied with the tank. It won't be bare at all. You get far more than you bargained for you and you'll be putting alot of time in identifying all of the hitchhikers and how to care for them. It is great fun.
 
1. I bought a cheap bucket with lid at home depot for mixing water. Easy to move around than a tank.

3. I'm wondering if they mean clown fish when they say anemone fish? If you introduce the cardinals first, aggression problems with other fish will be reduced. Only watching will tell if it will be a big problem. Lesson plans on hierarchy and social status!

4. You'll need to test ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and PH (usually can get an all in one kit) from the get go as well as salinity (separate device).
 
I thought that cardinal fish were nocturnal...maybe it is just mine?!
 
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