New Aquarium for St Jude Children's Hospital (800+G)
- Thread starter bshumake
- Start date
bshumake
New member
Hey Jerry,
Like Scott said, I want to donate frags to other projects like this. I know that I had to buy most of the corals for our tank and hated to do it but they money had to be spent. I hope that by my initial investment that other (less fortunate/funded) projects can benefit. St Jude has a modest budget for the tank and wherever I can I cut cost so the money can be recycled into patient care and other places. What I'm really hoping to do is make the tanks that we have fully self sufficent and have absolutely no budget alloted from St Jude. I plan on having a frag swap here in Memphis in the near future where I can sell the frags to pay for the tanks consumables, fish, and more coral. St Jude will spare no expense in the care of their patients, and these tanks are one aspect that they recognize as a major contributor to their recovery. I know that every time I go down to visit the tanks I spend maybe 10-15 minutes actually maintaining the tanks and another hour talking to patients anmd parents about the livestock, their behavior, and the overall astetics of the aquariums. Many times I hear the parents saying something to the effect of , "Once we're done with treatment we'll come out and visit the fishie's. I promise."
Like Scott said, I want to donate frags to other projects like this. I know that I had to buy most of the corals for our tank and hated to do it but they money had to be spent. I hope that by my initial investment that other (less fortunate/funded) projects can benefit. St Jude has a modest budget for the tank and wherever I can I cut cost so the money can be recycled into patient care and other places. What I'm really hoping to do is make the tanks that we have fully self sufficent and have absolutely no budget alloted from St Jude. I plan on having a frag swap here in Memphis in the near future where I can sell the frags to pay for the tanks consumables, fish, and more coral. St Jude will spare no expense in the care of their patients, and these tanks are one aspect that they recognize as a major contributor to their recovery. I know that every time I go down to visit the tanks I spend maybe 10-15 minutes actually maintaining the tanks and another hour talking to patients anmd parents about the livestock, their behavior, and the overall astetics of the aquariums. Many times I hear the parents saying something to the effect of , "Once we're done with treatment we'll come out and visit the fishie's. I promise."
bshumake
New member
I think I asked for donations earlier in the post. The tank got filled up all at once because the bigwigs wanted it ready and "fantastic" on opening day. I donated everything out of my tank and Scott did the same. I had the donations from some of our club members ready and the rest was made up from what I bought (90%).
I'm always happy to accept more donations of coral from anyone. This is basically a community tank that I would like everyone to feel that they took part in. St Jude sends out "Thank you" letters for dontions so there's a little bit of braging rights for anyone wishing to contribute.
bshumake
New member
I'm always looking for SPS like acro's and digitatas. Encrusting and plating corals are also good ones. What I've been doing now is trying to get some color and texture low in the tank and have been looking for ric's and lps. PM me with what your offering and thanks for the interest!
B
B
Michelle L
New member
I'm sorry if I've missed it somewhere (I haven't had time to search the entire thread), but how are you on livestock?
I am shutting down a 220 gallon reef sometime soon, and I have four large fish that I am looking for a good home for. They are more like my pets rather than "just fish," and I want them to have a large, healthy system to spend their days in.
I have a very large yellow tang...he is in the ballpark of about 7-8 inches and is just gorgeous. I've never seen one so large, no exaggerating. I also have about an 8 inch male Naso tang, a 6-7 inch Magnificent Foxface, and a 5-6 inch Powder Blue tang. All are healthy, brightly colored and fat. I also have a Starry Blenny that could come along for the ride. All are pretty well behaved.
Would you be interested in a donation of these fish for your hospital? I am in Illinois and it might take me a little while before I can get them to you, but it would be within the next couple of months or so.
I am shutting down a 220 gallon reef sometime soon, and I have four large fish that I am looking for a good home for. They are more like my pets rather than "just fish," and I want them to have a large, healthy system to spend their days in.
I have a very large yellow tang...he is in the ballpark of about 7-8 inches and is just gorgeous. I've never seen one so large, no exaggerating. I also have about an 8 inch male Naso tang, a 6-7 inch Magnificent Foxface, and a 5-6 inch Powder Blue tang. All are healthy, brightly colored and fat. I also have a Starry Blenny that could come along for the ride. All are pretty well behaved.
Would you be interested in a donation of these fish for your hospital? I am in Illinois and it might take me a little while before I can get them to you, but it would be within the next couple of months or so.
Michelle L
New member
Bump
bshumake
New member
Sorry everyone for the lack of contact. My computer died and all I have to use is the computer at work till mine is resurrected.
jnarowe= I was thinking about a tread for frags but was thinking that it was in violation of RC rules so I didn't. Maybe i'm wrong but I just thought it better to keep frag requests to this thread.
MIchelleL= I'll gladly tank your fish! What I can't use in the CCC I can put in the other two tanks we have. Just let me know closer to time and I'll get you set up.
Thanks again,
B
jnarowe= I was thinking about a tread for frags but was thinking that it was in violation of RC rules so I didn't. Maybe i'm wrong but I just thought it better to keep frag requests to this thread.
MIchelleL= I'll gladly tank your fish! What I can't use in the CCC I can put in the other two tanks we have. Just let me know closer to time and I'll get you set up.
Thanks again,
B
JJ21
New member
Just curious, but what fish and corals do you have in the tank as of now? Would it be too much to post a stock list? I also think it might be good to put up signs that have a picture of the fish or coral along with the name, where it's found, size ect. It might help the kids to get some brain activity trying to "Find the Fish."
Just an idea
Just an idea
bshumake
New member
Well, things have been really busy at St Jude with all the Chili’s Care Center construction and holiday perparations. Sorry for the lack of updates but here’s a taste of whats been going on.
The Chili’s Care Center had its grand opening on November 14th. The Commercial Appeal was present for the dedication and you can read a little more on this here. Below is an excerpt from the St Jude website’s publication: “On Nov. 14, a momentous occasion happened on the St. Jude campus â€"œ the grand opening of the Chili’s Care Center. As part of the grand opening events, Todd Diener, president of Chili’s Grill & Bar, presented a check for $8.2 million to St. Jude. This amount reflects the funds Chili’s raised during the recording-breaking 2007 Create-A-Pepper to Fight Childhood Cancer campaign and contributes to Chili’s plan to raise $50 million for St. Jude over 10 years.
Speakers at the grand opening included Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen; Tony Thomas, St. Jude Board of Governors and son of Danny Thomas; John P. Moses, CEO of ALSAC; William E. Evans, PharmD, director and CEO of St. Jude; Doug Brooks, CEO and president of Brinker International, the parent company of Chili’s Grill & Bar; and Diener.
Members of the Delta Delta Delta Fraternity were also on hand during the grand opening. Tri Delta has pledged to raise $10 million in 10 years for the Tri Delta Patient Care Floor in the Chili’s Care Center. On Nov. 15, Tri Delta hosted a pancake breakfast and a pancake stacking contest for patients. Following these activities was a formal program during which Moses; Michelle Schimberg, Tri Delta Fraternity President; and former St. Jude patient Eliza, whose mother and grandmother are both Tri Deltas, spoke.
This newest building on campus will be home to the Radiological Sciences department, the Bone Marrow Transplant inpatient unit, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium, and new research labs for Pathology, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Virology.â€Â
Scott, his Dad Richard Ledin, step-mom Lavina Maki and myself were present for the Nov 14th and 15th viewings by the various Chili’s Exec’s, campaign heads, presidents, benefactors and contributors (Scott is trying to track down the picture of them three at the tank). My stop was, of course, the aquarium where I gave a brief talk about the tank, its inhabitants and its system specs. There were many “Oo’s and Ah’s†from everyone who saw the aquarium. And I was particularly happy to see the response from my target audience! One of the patients was on the tour with his parents and he and his sister were spellbound by all the color and life in the tank (working on a pic of this too!). Then he discovered the video game consoles right next to the tank but that still didn’t stop him from glancing over at the tank frequently. Now his sister was standing on the bench next to the tank and followed the fish everywhere they went.
I got to meet a lot of people who lent their namesake’s to the Chili’s Care Center and eveyone was thoroughly enamored with the aquarium and all the effort Scott and I have put into making this a reality. I dare say that Scott’s dad was the most proud man there. He has a great respect for Danny and Marlo Thomas and all their work for the children. Mr. Ledin said that for him, this was a proud moment that his own son could get involved with something that he held so dear and make a lasting impression that would be enjoyed for generations to come. Mr. Ledin was also the first to donate a fish to the tank, a gorgeous mystery wrasse, so it was named “Mr. Richard†in his honor.
The Chili’s Care Center had its grand opening on November 14th. The Commercial Appeal was present for the dedication and you can read a little more on this here. Below is an excerpt from the St Jude website’s publication: “On Nov. 14, a momentous occasion happened on the St. Jude campus â€"œ the grand opening of the Chili’s Care Center. As part of the grand opening events, Todd Diener, president of Chili’s Grill & Bar, presented a check for $8.2 million to St. Jude. This amount reflects the funds Chili’s raised during the recording-breaking 2007 Create-A-Pepper to Fight Childhood Cancer campaign and contributes to Chili’s plan to raise $50 million for St. Jude over 10 years.
Speakers at the grand opening included Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen; Tony Thomas, St. Jude Board of Governors and son of Danny Thomas; John P. Moses, CEO of ALSAC; William E. Evans, PharmD, director and CEO of St. Jude; Doug Brooks, CEO and president of Brinker International, the parent company of Chili’s Grill & Bar; and Diener.
Members of the Delta Delta Delta Fraternity were also on hand during the grand opening. Tri Delta has pledged to raise $10 million in 10 years for the Tri Delta Patient Care Floor in the Chili’s Care Center. On Nov. 15, Tri Delta hosted a pancake breakfast and a pancake stacking contest for patients. Following these activities was a formal program during which Moses; Michelle Schimberg, Tri Delta Fraternity President; and former St. Jude patient Eliza, whose mother and grandmother are both Tri Deltas, spoke.
This newest building on campus will be home to the Radiological Sciences department, the Bone Marrow Transplant inpatient unit, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium, and new research labs for Pathology, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Virology.â€Â
Scott, his Dad Richard Ledin, step-mom Lavina Maki and myself were present for the Nov 14th and 15th viewings by the various Chili’s Exec’s, campaign heads, presidents, benefactors and contributors (Scott is trying to track down the picture of them three at the tank). My stop was, of course, the aquarium where I gave a brief talk about the tank, its inhabitants and its system specs. There were many “Oo’s and Ah’s†from everyone who saw the aquarium. And I was particularly happy to see the response from my target audience! One of the patients was on the tour with his parents and he and his sister were spellbound by all the color and life in the tank (working on a pic of this too!). Then he discovered the video game consoles right next to the tank but that still didn’t stop him from glancing over at the tank frequently. Now his sister was standing on the bench next to the tank and followed the fish everywhere they went.
I got to meet a lot of people who lent their namesake’s to the Chili’s Care Center and eveyone was thoroughly enamored with the aquarium and all the effort Scott and I have put into making this a reality. I dare say that Scott’s dad was the most proud man there. He has a great respect for Danny and Marlo Thomas and all their work for the children. Mr. Ledin said that for him, this was a proud moment that his own son could get involved with something that he held so dear and make a lasting impression that would be enjoyed for generations to come. Mr. Ledin was also the first to donate a fish to the tank, a gorgeous mystery wrasse, so it was named “Mr. Richard†in his honor.
bshumake
New member
11-29-07
I emptied the skimmer¡¦s collection cup for the first time and MAN that is a funk I can¡¦t describe! Scott¡¦s Volcano skimmer is doing a fantastic job! It has a ball valve in the cup so emptying is a simple matter of attaching a hose and opening the valve. I couldn¡¦t resist emptying the 3¡¨ of black sludge any longer so I grabed a specimen cup and opened the valve¡K and nearly threw up. My Lord the smell was out of this world! I got the cup drained and had to leave the room for a couple hours till the smell was gone. Way to go Scott on making a 6¡¦ tall Stinkbomb! Now I just have to find someone willing to clean that puppy out every week!
In all its glory! Turn your head to the side please Æ'º
The filth!
For perspective. That¡¦s one honking collection cup.
That¡¦s about as far as I can go without tossing cookies!
I emptied the skimmer¡¦s collection cup for the first time and MAN that is a funk I can¡¦t describe! Scott¡¦s Volcano skimmer is doing a fantastic job! It has a ball valve in the cup so emptying is a simple matter of attaching a hose and opening the valve. I couldn¡¦t resist emptying the 3¡¨ of black sludge any longer so I grabed a specimen cup and opened the valve¡K and nearly threw up. My Lord the smell was out of this world! I got the cup drained and had to leave the room for a couple hours till the smell was gone. Way to go Scott on making a 6¡¦ tall Stinkbomb! Now I just have to find someone willing to clean that puppy out every week!
In all its glory! Turn your head to the side please Æ'º
The filth!
For perspective. That¡¦s one honking collection cup.
That¡¦s about as far as I can go without tossing cookies!
bshumake
New member
12-10-07
The Volcano is a hoss of a skimmate producer. I presently have between 90-95% of the system’s water going through this skimmer and the results are phenomenal. The results are crystal clear water (when I can keep the sumps level stable). The skimmer’s upper body and neck are nearly opaque with accumulated waste and the skimmate is outrageously horrific. Scott’s gonna have to make me a collecting vessel so I can ship this stuff out to a toxic waste dump!
12-20-07
Well, things have been something of a quandry here at St Jude. Access to the tank has been spotty from all the construction, but I’m not that worried about it since it’s still maturing. The algael blooms and bacterial blooms have subsided and MAN are the corals coloring up nicely!
1-11-08
As it stands now the tank is in fantastic condition! Corals are recovered and fish are happy. The Radiation Oncology/ Diagnostic Imaging departments are scheduled to move in beginning next week and everyone is excited. BJ came in and did some major cleaning and orginizing in the aquarium room. While she was there I talked her into us emptying the skimmer cup and I don’t think I’ll be able to get her to do it often! As the yucky goodness began to flow she was backing out of the room. And of course this made for a perfect Polaroid moment!
The sludge flowed fairly easily and STUNK!
I used a piece of clear PVC left from the install to use as a diverter to get it down the sink. Educational and ingenuitive.
And Oh so STINKY! BJ got the camera as the smell began to take its effect on me.
I’m beginning to see things in the pipe that startle me.
OMG! It’s curdled!
And look at the cup. Now that’s a funk I’ve never seen before. I didn’t realize the power of carbon but once you take the cup cuver off you get the full aroma.
Ahh. A beautiful, yet horrible thing. Nice foamy heads that smell like low tide in a septic tank!
The Volcano is a hoss of a skimmate producer. I presently have between 90-95% of the system’s water going through this skimmer and the results are phenomenal. The results are crystal clear water (when I can keep the sumps level stable). The skimmer’s upper body and neck are nearly opaque with accumulated waste and the skimmate is outrageously horrific. Scott’s gonna have to make me a collecting vessel so I can ship this stuff out to a toxic waste dump!
12-20-07
Well, things have been something of a quandry here at St Jude. Access to the tank has been spotty from all the construction, but I’m not that worried about it since it’s still maturing. The algael blooms and bacterial blooms have subsided and MAN are the corals coloring up nicely!
1-11-08
As it stands now the tank is in fantastic condition! Corals are recovered and fish are happy. The Radiation Oncology/ Diagnostic Imaging departments are scheduled to move in beginning next week and everyone is excited. BJ came in and did some major cleaning and orginizing in the aquarium room. While she was there I talked her into us emptying the skimmer cup and I don’t think I’ll be able to get her to do it often! As the yucky goodness began to flow she was backing out of the room. And of course this made for a perfect Polaroid moment!
The sludge flowed fairly easily and STUNK!
I used a piece of clear PVC left from the install to use as a diverter to get it down the sink. Educational and ingenuitive.
And Oh so STINKY! BJ got the camera as the smell began to take its effect on me.
I’m beginning to see things in the pipe that startle me.
OMG! It’s curdled!
And look at the cup. Now that’s a funk I’ve never seen before. I didn’t realize the power of carbon but once you take the cup cuver off you get the full aroma.
Ahh. A beautiful, yet horrible thing. Nice foamy heads that smell like low tide in a septic tank!
spazz
New member
hey barrott you can always get a gas mask to empty the skimmer out with. ha ha ha ha ha
hey you never know maybe bax will come and clan your skimmer.
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
he thinks its cool.
or mabe you should get Mike Roe from "dirty jobs" to come clean your skimmer.
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
now that would be really cool!
hey you never know maybe bax will come and clan your skimmer.
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
he thinks its cool.
or mabe you should get Mike Roe from "dirty jobs" to come clean your skimmer.
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
now that would be really cool!
Last edited:
grannybj
New member
Just reading this brought back some horrible memories. Spazz you need to figure out how to make a self cleaning model. When Barrett opened the valve to let that sludge flow it was almost too much to take. I could still smell it when I got home. I will volunteer to clean the neck if I can figure out how to contain the smell to the fish room. I told Barrett it would take some long rubber gloves and a strong stomach. You will hear me repeating..it is just fish poo...it is just fish poo ..it is just fish poo !
BJ
BJ
