Biology Teacher looking to introduce a marine ecosystem into my classroom.

[teachdunc]

Hey all,

Brand new to the saltwater hobby. I've kept freshwater aquariums successfully for quite a few years and have always been fascinated by the marine environment. I decided to take the plunge and start a saltwater system in my classroom for next year and was lucky to be funded through a donors choose project.

In terms of the equipment that I could select, I was limited by the options made available through the donors choose organization, so have the following items coming my way at the moment:

1. Coralife Fish Tank LED Biobuce Aquarium Starter Kit, Size 32
2. API Saltwater Master Test Kit
3. Coralife Power Center
4. Coralife BioCube Protein Skimmer
5. Coralife 2-Pack Biocube Filter Cartridge
6. Seachem The Bag Filter Media Bag
7. Seachem Matrix Bio Media (1 Liter)
8. Salinity Refractometer by Agriculture Solutions
9. 25 foot Python No Spill Clean and Fill Aquarium Maintenance System

There are quite a few things that I will need to add to get the system up and running successfully, but as a newbie reading everything I can on the forums, I'm finding so many different pieces of information and I'm looking for the other absolute musts to make this a successful experience.

Interested to hear where people would put their money for resources to begin based on what's presented above.

 

[ClownMan727]

Here you go. Read this.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-10/newbie/index.php

 

[sdbc]

It is a difficult question to answer until you decide what type of saltwater system you plan to setup. Requirements are different for fish only vs FOWLR vs reef. I would not recommend a reef for a classroom setup. It needs daily maintenance to be successful, and that includes holidays and weekends and breaks. Not to mention it is the priciest to setup and maintain. I think you stand a better chance with the others.

 

[TYC]

you should read this tank journal from Sequoia Middle School Reefkeepers, 6th-8th grade students in Pleasant Hill, California (SF Bay Area) that details all you'd need to know and how they started from scratch...exactly what you're looking to do.
http://sequoiareef.weebly.com/tank-journal.html

 

[ajoe]

First of all what a wonderful teaching tool this will certainly be. Congrats on the funding and for reaching out to get educated. I would certainly suggest reaching out to your LFS (local fish store) that sells salt water fish and invertebrates and introduce yourself and share your new venture with them. They might very well be interested in hand holding and guiding you and perhaps assisting with set-up and weekly maintenance until your settled in and ready to pass the project off to the students. Like any new hobby there is a bit of a learning curve with salt water husbandry and any help/advice you can get before things get wet will go a long ways towards success. A nice PR opportunity for them and knowledge for you.

 

[Clownfish Chris]

Let me give you my opinions to directly answer your questions. You have a decent set up that will grow coral and contrary to what was written above a reef would be great in a classroom. Don't let that intimidate you.

The API kit will get you through your initial nitrate cycle. It is virtually useless afterwards. They are notorious for showing numbers higher than you actually have and being inconsistent from test to test. I like salifert kits.

Get decent live rock. If you can afford it look up a company called Tampa Bay Saltwater. You will not experience a cycle with their rock. It is cultured in Tampa bay and comes with all sorts of critters.

Take it slow. I mean very slow. Research, research, research.

Realize that there is more than one way to do it right and that people argue on forums. Usually they are both correct.

Get involved with a local reef club. Find someone who can help you on site.

 

[Tisbe]

+1 to what clownfish said. The other thing I would look into is getting/setting up an "auto top off" ATO. The key to keeping reef tanks is to keep the water parameters stable. On my 90 gallon I loose 1 gallon of water to evaporation each day. Having a system that keeps that replenished goes a long way in keeping things stable. Also they are invaluable for when you want to be away from the tank for long weekends.

 

[teachdunc]

Definitely appreciate all of the feedback, I'm looking into a few options for powerheads as well as heating.

I've been directed toward the Jaebo PP4 in terms of the powerheads and was looking for recommendations for high quality heaters.

 

[teachdunc]

Also, is there a good RO/DI system that would be a good get to provide the water needed for changes and top-offs?

 

[BigDave]

I'd look at bulk reef supply for the RO/DI system.

 

[tkeracer619]

ehiem glass heaters and a ranco temp controller. Set the thermostat on the heater to something like 79 and the ranco to 77. All heaters will fail at some point and they usually fail stuck on. A temp controller like the ranco will save the tank. Worth every penny.

https://www.hvacpw.com/ranco-etc-11...D88365B640D6&gclid=CJ6no_3ux9MCFQmqaQodtMcOeQ

I'd probably go with soft corals, far less maintenance than hard corals.

ATO is a must.