aqua-ed

Sounds great, Dennis. I may be able to come up this Saturday, if that works for you. How much rock do you have? If you have enough for my 24g, I shouldn't need anymore from Rose (thanks, though!). If the tank isn't ready yet here at school, I can tide things over in my home tank until it is time to bring them in.

I just picked up my new classroom tank from Kris today, and will be hauling it in to school tomorrow to show off and begin the setup process. The tank is a 24gal Aquapod with all the bells and whistles built right in. It is the perfect TFT tank, if you ask me. I'm not a newbie any more, but this sucker is so user friendly, it'll be a gem to have in the classroom. Starting this week I will begin taking pictures and posting them for all to see. I'm sure many of you want to see your club dues at work! And, after this post I'm going to try my hand on Joel's TFT wiki site. I'm really excited, and so are the students, so I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who made this possible. It would be great if we can find ways to spread this to other schools and communities. Also, always feel free to contact me with questions, thoughts, or concerns. This isn't my project alone, it's PNWMAS's project so I don't want anyone to feel left out or neglected! And last but not least (and I hope this isn't out of line ) here is my TFT wish list: -Salt! -LR or Base rock -Testing kits -Food I've already got some great frags from our Notable President, Kris, and have quite a few from my own tank that I will donate. Once again, thanks to everyone, and I will keep you posted!

Do you know (or anyone) how that skimmer does for bubbles? My new 55g stand is two narrow for my baffled sump, and my current in tank protein skimmer juts reeks havoc on the water clarity.

awesome. yea, that is the one I was talking about.

I opened a similar post a while back, but want to try again to gain some new insights. I am at the wiring stage on my 55g and am looking at maybe the coral life timers. They have a day/night function built in, which would be much cooler than have several timers tempting the fire gods. However, I've read a couple poor reviews on them. Any body have any negative experiences? or good experiences?

As many probably know by know (I keep hitting the forum with questions ), I am setting up my 55g. The spot I have designated for my tank has wood flooring. Of course, then, I'm worried about the constant drips, splashes, and leaks that are guaranteed to happen over time. Then, of course, I'll end up with a big rot hole when it comes time to move again. Any suggestions on what to put underneath the tank to prevent said drips, splashes, and leaks from resting on the floor? Does anyone else have a similar situation? Advice? Thanks! -Lee

Okey Dokey, also part of being a science teacher I happen to have Vernier Conductivity probes that I can use to test TDS. What is a "good" value? I assume zero is best, but is there a useable range?

Alright, I'm tired of hunting online. Anyone in the Salem/Corvallis area that has sand for sale? I don't need live, just 50+ lbs of it. Anyone got any or know where I can get some? I need it for my 55g. PM me. Thanks!

How can you tell if water is pure enough to be used in a saltwater tank? I have an ion-exchange filter in my classroom that I use to purify my water for labs. I have been using it to top off my nano tank with no problems, but that tank only has a few softies. Does anyone know enough about ion exchange to tell me if the water is good enough? I am going to be filling my 55g soon and was wondering if that water is safe. Thanks! -Lee

I need to get some pretty sand for my 55g. Any suggestions on where to order it from? I really don't have time to go running around picking it up, so I'd rather not go to a store front. It also doesn't have to be live. In fact, I'd rather not pay for live since I won't be putting anything other than live rock in the tank for a while, so I can let it liven up itself. -Lee

As of right now, no. The tank isn't here yet, and I don't think I'll be putting much in it before Christmas break. I have stuff in my tank to add, and several people have already pledged. In January, though, I might start pounding pavement for donations. An update on my end, I met with my aquarium "team" today. It is composed of 3 students; two future marine biologists and a web designer. Let me tell you, they are excited. As I mentioned before (i think???), I teamed up with the careers class, so this is going to be a project that they receive graduation credits for! The students who will be working on the tank are a great kids and will have no problem making PNWMAS proud!

I would consider it if you were going to make it North a bit sometime...

I sent my app (a digital and a slow-to-arrive hard copy) to the PNWMAS Prez (kris). Would others like to see the app? I can post it on the Wiki or here if folks would like! -Lee

Good point CCR, I didn't even think about that. So 2 150W then? Along with the PCs, or without?

I've moved into my new digs and it is time to start setting up my 55g I bought a while back. The only thing I still need to plan out is my lighting. I have a 165W PC retrofit that I will use, but also would like to put in a MH. Is that too much? Should I only use one or the other? I figure the PCs to go the length, and the MH in the middle with my SPS corals in the middle of the tank. Also what size, type, color, MH should I go with? Thanks in advance! -Lee

what kind of lights does it use?

So I've always dreamed of a (mostly) year round herb, tomater, and pepper garden. I've been eyeing those AeroGarden doo-dads they are selling now, hoping for a price drop, with none in sight. Now it is time to build my own. Now, how does this relate to PNWMAS? What does everyone know about aquarium lighting and plants. Naturally, if that 65W PC daylight/actinic I have sitting in my attic could photosynthetically feed my corals, shouldn't it be able to feed some plants?

A big thanks to everyone! I'm really excited about this. I've teamed up with the senior career class for this project. It's a required course where the seniors work with something or someone in their hopeful career field. Some of the future marine biologists are going to be in charge of the tank. I'm also going to try and get a future web designer to maintain the wiki. It'll be a blast! Thanks again! And thanks, Dennis, I'll take you up on that offer when we get her going.

I had a 3g eclipse aquarium given to me and I set it up in my classroom to tide me over (and get my students excited) until I can get a bigger one. In the meantime, there is not much flow at all inside the tank, which really detracts from the view. Does anyone have a suggestion for a small power head to put in the tank? I don't want something (nor do I need) that tanks up half the space in the already small tank. Anybody have anything they want to sell (or donate(naughty)) Also, what is a good fish to put in a nano with a few corals? Are damsels ok? Thanks! Lee

Okay, this only sort of belongs in the out-of-bonds area. I have a freshwater tank already set up in my new class room and would like to raise some killifish in it. Does anybody have or know anbody who sells killi eggs locally? They sell them on ebay, but I would prefer to find some locally if possible. Thanks! -Lee

Yea soap and warm water in the corner of the rooms will get rid of them, too. But not always faster than those suckas reproduce.

Try fitting a big garbage bag (those thick, sturdy, black ones) over the top and taping it secure so that none of the pesticides gets in the tank. It doesn't need to cover the sides or anything, just the top. That was the method we used when we needed to bomb a couple of times. Of course, if that doesn't work, I claim no responsibility and never wrote this post.

Tis' true! I'm moving in to my first classroom soon and would like to get a tank up and going at some point. I may have a tank already, but no equipment. I'd be much obliged for any help the club provides!

Sounds good. I won't be in town, but the tank is at my parents house and someone will be around. Another note, to explain the (?) by the clown wrasse, it was sold to me as a clown, but I don't know if that is its true title or not. I can't get a good picture of the sucker, but here is the closest I could find on a "clown wrasse" google search. http://piddlefish.servepics.com/SCUBA/pictures/FishOfTheDay/Hamac_u2-ClownWrasse.jpg

I've got a (clown?) wrasse, false perc, and a orange spotted prawn goby I'd like to sell off. I'm moving and would rather not move fish, as I may be kinda slow at setting up the tank. I think my corals will do fine, but would rather just by new fish when my tank is stable. I'd like $15 for each fish, or $30 for all three. My tank is in Silverton right now. PM me if interested. BTW, I do have a pretty bad outbreak of bryopsis, so if you take the fish, I wouldn't keep the water! -Lee