barrierreefcf Posted July 12, 2017 Share Posted July 12, 2017 Helping Mike Foote- Be patient with me as I stumble through the best way to present this post. A few weeks ago I was contacted by Michael through email. He inquired about a 150-200 gallon marine fish-only aquarium. As we began to work through the quotation process, I learned he was in a wheelchair and couldn't speak. He also let me know he has a support staff who will help him with the tank. During our exchanges, I could tell Mike was passionate about saltwater fish. He sent me pictures of his favorites and began asking compatibility questions. He also shared that he had been watching hours of video on how to care for a marine aquarium. Here is Mike's story in his words- "I was born with cerebral palsy near the Puerto Rico coast. I was the son of a 15 year old mother who lived in a mud hut. She walked in the jungle 10 miles to a hospital. I was adopted by two super loving people who are my mother and father of my life. I am very interested in animals and fishes. I am a disabled man in a wheelchair. I went to school through high school and college. I am very smart. I am having a hard time with PTSD and I found that fishes and my cat calm me down. I am very interested in bigger fish and invertebrates in the sea, and I will do anything to get a hold of a tank." When I presented him with a few 125 gallon fish-only aquarium quotes and we discussed layaway options, it became apparent that this was a long term project (2-3 years out). I'm not gonna lie, I was discouraged for him and wondered if this tank was ever going to become reality. What was amazing was Mike's response. He said "Cy, this is more than just an aquarium to me. I will make it happen. I will fight for it. I will do anything. This is my dream." I was moved. I told Mike that I would help him until he achieved his dream. Not more than twelve hours after that text exchange Mike's friend Tom learned that he was looking for a tank. Tom happened to be trying to get rid of a 150H (48x24x31). Tom is donating the tank, stand, canopy, and light to Mike. Mike has a monthly budget set aside for this aquarium but he is still a long way from completing it. I'm hoping Barrier Reef, and maybe some of you hobbyists or product manufacturers, can help us speed up the achievement of Michael's dream. Mike is still in need of everything else that goes into a fish-only aquarium. Used items donations are appreciated as well as new. I've also set up a GoFundMe option if anyone prefers to contribute that way. Barrier Reef will be helping by donating missing items or fish ($500 in value). GoFundMe - https://www.gofundme.com/mike-footes-aquarium-dream Here are some of the items Mike needs- Substrate 120 pounds - CaribSea Aragamax Select ideal Protein Skimmer- Octopus NW 150/BM Curve 7 ideal Wet/Dry or Sump Media Reactor w pump - TLF Phosban 150 or similar Heater Nets Magnetic Glass Cleaner 24" AquaTongs Salt Refractometer Ecotech Vectra M1 Pump or Eheim 1262 - Quiet and reliable a must due to tank location and support staff. Eshopps Eclipse L Overflow Box Neptune Apex with leak detectors, flow monitors, etc - needed due to unique situation and support staff helping. Frozen Foods Dry Foods Black or Blue Background Phosphate remover Carbon Test Kits We really appreciate your time and consideration in helping. Respectfully, Cy Forell, Michael Foote, and the entire Barrier Reef staff. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CuttleFishandCoral Posted July 12, 2017 Share Posted July 12, 2017 I would love to help. If I can. Don't make it up to Seattle often but I'm sure we could figure it out. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xmas_one Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 I have a one gallon container of that fancy BRS carbon I can donate. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emerald525 Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 I'm thinking maybe we could get a coral auction going like we have in the past and donate the proceeds to him. That's some serious determination !! 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrierreefcf Posted July 19, 2017 Author Share Posted July 19, 2017 Anything you all want to do is fantastic. We have seen an incredible amount of support from hobbyists, stores, and product manufacturers. At this point we only need a bit more donated towards the Neptune Apex that will help us, and his support staff keep tabs on the tank, the Eshopps Eclipse L overflow box, and gift cert donations he can use for fish and frozen foods. We have some carbon donated by Fritz but more carbon can always be used. Thank you all! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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