Tank in the classroom

[Derekbc]

I'm over at Mountain Sky in Washington District. I hear you about spending out of pocket, hitting the $250 tax deduction is never an issue!

My tax credit deduction is gone before September... Perhaps it's time to lobby for a once a month tax credit for teachers...

This is such an awesome thing. Should be able to do a lot with that tank, too. May I suggest a TSB to your stocking list? So full of personality and affordable too!

It is a very nice sized tank--and what is a TSB?

Good work Derek! I wish I would have been introduced into the saltwater hobby at a young age. I am sure your classroom fish tank will inspire students/parents to setup tanks of their own.

The sixth grade science standards include SCUBA, importance of water to organisms, bodies of water, water quality, respiration (gills and lungs), explaining the composition, properties, and structures of the oceans' zones and layers, and describe how scientists explore Earth's bodies of water...

What better place for a reef aquarium than in a classroom in Arizona...

 

[Nibrown9]

My tax credit deduction is gone before September... Perhaps it's time to lobby for a once a month tax credit for teachers...



It is a very nice sized tank--and what is a TSB? tail spot blenny



The sixth grade science standards include SCUBA, importance of water to organisms, bodies of water, water quality, respiration (gills and lungs), explaining the composition, properties, and structures of the oceans' zones and layers, and describe how scientists explore Earth's bodies of water...

What better place for a reef aquarium than in a classroom in Arizona...

 

[Derekbc]

Update -- Waiting on the cycle...

 

[johanasu]

Nice, what are you using for filtration? API sent me some free stuff for my classroom tanks, if you want a free brand new Reef Master Test Kit let me know and we can meet up.

 

[Derekbc]

Nice, what are you using for filtration? API sent me some free stuff for my classroom tanks, if you want a free brand new Reef Master Test Kit let me know and we can meet up.

The tank is an all-in-one, and I'm relying upon the two filter chambers the dual overflows pass through at the time being. I'm researching small skimmers that will either fit in the back chamber or a hang on.

I would appreciate an extra test kit, and will send you a pm.

Just picked up an ATO from dream54ing, and hope to have that up and running soon! The tank does have a cover for the front, but not the back compartment--it does lose volume on a somewhat fast scale.

Thanks,

Derek

 

[Frizz]

Happy to hook you up with pink anthillia. It always pulses nicely.

 

[Derekbc]

Very cool, Frizz! Where are you located?

Thanks,

Derek

 

[Frick]

Looking good. Let me know when you are ready for frags, I would like to donate some.

I also have a Tomato Clownfish if you would like.

 

[tdp22]

Best of luck, tried to have a tank in my class and it was just a HUGE pain. May try to scale it back and try again. Thanks for the inspiration, keep us posted on progress.

 

[Derekbc]

Today's update:

Picked up a test kit from johanasu yesterday. Thank you so much for sharing!

I became part of the Phoenix reef community after about a year of lurking here on Reef Central almost 2 1/2 years ago. At first it was just a matter of gathering information and finally deciding on my first set up.

The Phoenix reef community continues to amaze me with its generosity!

I placed the first coral in the tank this week, a start of GSP that was given to me free of charge as one of my first beginner corals in my first reef tank from Anthrax. Several starts have been shared since! My students wondered what was so interesting about a grey/purplish lump, but soon became amazed by the extending polyps... They come in each morning and check it out for any new developments.

Thank you for helping me to share this passion with my students!

Derek

 

[Derekbc]

Looking good. Let me know when you are ready for frags, I would like to donate some.

I also have a Tomato Clownfish if you would like.

Thanks, Frick! I've heard Tomato Clowns can be a bit aggressive, any chance of training it to keep students in line? Reefstew has a couple of clowns waiting for me to add fish... My principal is providing me with an alarm code so I can go in on weekends and over holiday breaks, and I'm waiting until this happens.

Best of luck, tried to have a tank in my class and it was just a HUGE pain. May try to scale it back and try again. Thanks for the inspiration, keep us posted on progress.

I'm hoping that the one tank will not prove to be overwhelming, at least it won't be as demanding as the parent/teacher conferences in 2 weeks. Return to the dark side!

 

[johanasu]

nice work, looking forward to future updates!

 

[Talis]

I have an old cs 65super skimmer you can have.

If you need more lighting I can donate a 24" 130 watt Pc fixture... I'll even throw in 2 new in the box bulbs...

 

[Derekbc]

nice work, looking forward to future updates!

Thanks! I'm looking forward to the progress of the 4 tanks you have in your class!

I have an old cs 65super skimmer you can have.

If you need more lighting I can donate a 24" 130 watt Pc fixture... I'll even throw in 2 new in the box bulbs...

The skimmer would be greatly appreciated! I'll send you a pm. Thanks!

 

[Derekbc]

Thanks to Frizz, Talis, johanasu, and dream54ing for your donations to our reef tank!

A few of my students have been helping with the testing of water parameters, and one even exclaimed, "This is better than recess!" And I'm happy to say that the system is ready for more inhabitants.

Any prior offers of "forgiving" frags would be gladly accepted. I am now able to make extended weekend and holiday visits to the classroom.

Thanks,

Derek

 

[Derekbc]

Thanks to reefstew (Bob), the tank has its first fish. The students took a vote and their names are Mr. Fish and Shadow...

Needless to say, the class was very boisterous today! :fun4:

Please forgive the cell pic--it's also difficult to get clowns to be still!

 

[Frizz]

Those are some lovely clowns.

Frizz

 

[AZReefJunkie]

You rock dude. There is nothing better for a child's development than a passionate teacher. Truly the unsung heroes of our world.

 

[johanasu]

Nice progress! Those are some nice looking clowns as well! I'll probably have some orange cloves and possibly some mushrooms if I can frag them off of a rock for you in the near future.

 

[Reef-o-Roni]

Do you need anymore rock?