NMSU Tank

[Jay508]

For those that are not aware, and those that are, I wanted to share the NMSU tank with the club.

The tank is 150 gallons (Not completely sure but this is what I have calculated). With Ryan Paskadi's help I was given the sole privilage of being the sole caretaker for this tank in September of 2008. Almost two years later below is the result.

Initially the tank was seriously neglected, not cared for, and the animals within were suffering. The initial maintenance was a 12 hour project where with the help of some club members we began the tank overhaul at 4pm and ended at 4am the following day. I would also like to thank Daniel and Dennis for their generous donations of a new lighting system for the tank. Both donated one brand new outer orbit light to the tank (there are two lights on the tank). From there a few club members continued the donations with some other equipment and livestock for this tank. I also contribute regularly to the tank with new animals, both coral and fish. Thank you to all that have donated items and livestock to this tank, I along with the faculty and student body really appreciate it. The tank has really brought some life into the Biology building on campus. It is not uncommon for me to approach the tank and find both faculty and student body with their noses plastered to the tank glass, I really enjoy some of the conversations that this tank has awarded me. Many people follow the tanks progression and have taken an interest in the tank inhabitants.

Anyways, below are a couple of photos I took of the tank before I left. They are not really all that great but for some reason I have the hardest time photographing this tank.

 

[ryan_paskadi]

Wow tank looks great. Thanks for your continued hard work with it jay. That cabbage coral and kenya trees started out as little frags I got from a meeting.

 

[killafornia]

Ryan that avatar of yours 1 looks like will ferrell and I just can't take you serious. .. sorry about the ot

 

[Jay508]

The cabbage coral was pretty much the only living coral in the tank at the beginning. I spread it over a couple different spots in the tank and now the main piece is the host for the clownfish, they refuse to acknowledge any of the anemones in there, go figure....

The kenya trees grow like crazy, there have been a couple of donations of kenyas since, no more though! they frag themselves and I have to pick tiny little kenyas off the sand bed and rock to keep the tank from being over run with them. I have to "prune the hedges" every so often to.

The giant mushroom was donated by steffen right before I left. It has some damage from anemone stings but the coral is doing awesome right now and I am thinking that by the end of summer the damage will heal itself.

jay

 

[Jay508]

Ryan that avatar of yours 1 looks like will ferrell and I just can't take you serious. .. sorry about the ot

It is Will Ferrell.

 

[ryan_paskadi]

Yea it is Will Ferrell and I think it is hilarious. It makes me laugh every time I look at it. Sorry if you do not share my humor.

 

[puffin04]

Glad to see that leather is looking better!!!!

Steffen Sparks

 

[chuy marquez]

I can donate some hairy mushrooms if your interested.

 

[Jay508]

Thanks Chuy, that would be great. Always appreciate any donations that come the tanks way. Lets work something out.

jay

 

[nmnative]

Ryan that avatar of yours 1 looks like will ferrell and I just can't take you serious. .. sorry about the ot

That's okay, we all know Ryan and we don't take him serious either
I love the Will Ferrell avatar!

Hey Jay, I don't see that lovely goldfish of saltwater (aka Yellow Tang) in any of the pics. :furious:

 

[Jay508]

You mean this guy thats staring me down?

 

[nmnative]

oops! I take it back, glad to see he is doing well!

 

[killafornia]

Okay then Ryan it is good humor every time I look at it I chuckle it reminds me of a pedifile for some reason

 

[puffin04]

I love Will Ferrell!!! Dont know too many people that laugh at pedifiles!!! LOL

Steffen Sparks

 

[Jay508]

There are eight new bulbs coming in to replace the existing bulbs in the fixture. They should be here on friday. Is there anyone willing to help my sister install these bulbs sometime this weekend? I would really appreciate it.

There is also a new diamond goby and mandarin dragonet going into the tank. The goby is much needed since the last one vanished a few months ago. The sandbed needs some help right now. The dragonet is just a pretty addition to the tank. Copepod population is through the roof so I think this will be a successful addition. Thank you to anyone willing to help out, it souldnt take but a few minutes to help her.

jay

 

[jmait769]

I can help out! I will pm you my number. Just have her let me know the time. Sounds like some nice additions!! I stopped in last semester for a quick check of the tank and all looked good then.

Jay

 

[Jay508]

Thank you Jay. I will put her in contact with you as soon as the bulbs arrive. Sometime tomorrow I hear.

 

[Jay508]

Jay-

Thank you for meeting up with my sister to help install the bulbs. Sounds like they made quite a difference in the tank lighting situation. A much needed adjustment. The other bulbs were almost two years old. Since I made all eight of these bulbs daylight it is my goal to put a fixture of an actinic strip on the tank to get the blue effect back into the spectrum.

 

[jmait769]

Jay-

Thank you for meeting up with my sister to help install the bulbs.

No problem. She really did most of the work by the time I got there so she deserves some big kudos! :thumbsup: Looking at the tank we do need to do some maintenance on the stand. Maybe some new hinges and a new coat of poly. I can probably knock this out after the summer. How is the tank being topped off? I only took a quick look underneath but can't remember if there is an ATO. Something we may need to look into if there is not one. All in all it looked good especially with the new lights!!

Jay

 

[Jay508]

Yes the outer shell/stand does need some work, the hinges are rusting out and the poly coat needs a refresher, great eye. It is pretty old. If you would like to help me do some maintenance on it I would appreciate it, we could do it together when I get back (and you have water in your tank of course)

The top off is done on a daily basis by adding water manually. I have toyed with the idea of putting an ATO on the tank. I think we had mentioned at home depot that one afternoon when we transferring the generators to Justin's truck that we should make some ATOs at one of the upcoming meetings. Underneath the tank is nothing but storage. Ultimately it would be awesome to put a sump down there with a skimmer and all the trimmings.

My sister does continue to amaze me of her capabilities. After all she is responsible for my addiction to this hobby......