Reef Tank for classroom

[reefbanc]

I have a 55 gallon reef tank that has a dying lighting setup (Aqualight 48"- actinics and white light); I received a grant to purchase a new system - am looking at Aquatic LIfe Dual Lamp- linking 3 together or Wavepoint 48".

Right now tank contains live rock, hermits and snails, and we hope to add soft corals, mushrooms - low maintenance creatures as school vacations are a challenge. Last summer the tank crashed and it is up and running.

Any suggestions? Thanks very much!
Cheers to reeftankers - I have a reef tank team of students who help with the tank!

 

[coralnut99]

I think if you post this in a local reef club forum, you may get a donation of a used T5 fixture. That would be best for the tank and your budget. A 4-bulb fixture would be best, but with only soft corals, 2 bulbs probably would serve you well.

Current branded fixtures would be a better investment than Wavepoint in my opinion. Cheaper isn't always better........or safer.

As you've noted summer vacations can make this a bigger challenge than it already is. If you intend to keep it running over the summer months, you should be seriously considering some sort of automated top-off system, timers, and a battery-operated feeder.

 

[Brwestern]

And depending on how warm it gets, a chiller, since most schools dont run the AC all summer long.

 

[coralnut99]

And depending on how warm it gets, a chiller, since most schools dont run the AC all summer long.

Agreed, but it may end being a budget-buster. OP would know for sure. Much could be achieved with a simple clip-on fan.

 

[Rwinfrey]

I run a reef for my sons school and we just run a t5 set up I have it set il with auto everything

 

[clockman]

Wow! I wouldn't trust any reef tank to run for 2.5 months unattended. Is there any way you could get into the school to check on it from time to time?

 

[Rwinfrey]

I do stop in evey other day it on my way home they gave me a key the teacher and I have a log so we just write down evey thing we do also during the summer I do a 25 gl water change evey week so in the beginng og the year it all looks perfect then the students fool with it during the school months

 

[reefbanc]

Thank you for advice

Thank you for advice

Thank you all for the advice on the school tank I have set up - I will look at T5s and check w/ local groups - though don't know of any in the Worcester, MA area....I do check on the tank about 1/week in the summer and have had someone feed & add water. Problem last summer was overfeeding and pop. explosion of bristle worms. Air conditioning is on so that is not a problem. I have used a clip on fan when first set up but found it was not needed.
Any recs for a good auto feeder - I've tried Lifeguard and Topfin brands and both were not well-designed.

 

[reefbanc]

I wish I had more time to read all the brilliant and helpful comments on this site! Thank you to all who contribute

 

[coralnut99]

The folks that maintain the tank in the lobby here in the office installed an Eheim autofeeder and it seems to work really well.