VERY new here

[ladyfsu]

Hi,

I'm going to be teaching marine biology but am VERY new to aquariums. I have 2 55-gallon tanks and about 10 other tanks of various smaller sizes. None of these have hoods, filters, powerheads etc. For one of the 55's I spent my own money and bought an Emperor 400 bio-wheel, live sand and rock, thermometer, and a powerhead (I still don't have a light ) . The purpose of this tank is to display our local critters from the Gulf. I have a collector's permit to keep some things, but its been to chilly to go out...that's all getting ready to change.

So far I have many hermits from the beach, 5 quarter size starfish, 2 pipefish, an emerald crab, a small perch and some little minnow. Hopefully the sea grasses will fill up with cool things soon. Some of the other tanks I'll be setting up though will be a little fancier though. I want a reef tank, a nice salt tank, my local organism tank, a brackish water tank.

OK while we're getting our fundraising going...

PLEASE REMEMBER I'M DOING TANKS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES and aren't trying to make them pretty necessarily. These are some of my questions.

1. Does an HVO light need to have a florescent light with it?
2. Does live rock need an HVO light?
3. What are the BARE neccessities for a reef tank?
4. What eats sea cucumbers?


I've had millions of questions I'm asking the guy I bought my tank cleaners from but have forgotten some now. He's been great but I ask him too much. I'll be posting up alot as they come to me. I really appreciate any advice I can get.

P.S. - If you know any way for me to find cheap or used powerheads and all that other gear I need, please pm/email me! Nets, testers etc. I can use all the help I can get.

Thanks!

 

[Rockblast]

Hi,

Let me help you with your questions.

1. Does an HVO light need to have a florescent light with it?

- That light is actually called VHO which stands for Very High Output. VHO is a flourescent light.
Here is a pic of a VHO Bulb http://www.lotioncentral.com/solar-series.gif

2. Does live rock need an VHO light?
-Well live rock needs moderate lighting.
HO(High Output) should already be enough for live rock.
So VHO is better .

3. What are the BARE neccessities for a reef tank?
- Equipment:
LIGHTING (very important).
But of course you need the basic aquarium equipment:
Heater,Powerhead,Filter, and I highly recommend you getting a protein skimmer.
-Saltwater test kits are extremely important to have when you have a reef tank.
You need to check you Calcium,Alkanity,PH and more.
You need chemicals/additives to raise your calcium,alkalinity etc when they are low.

Well I hope I helped you out a bid. If you have anymore question just post them and they will be answered if not by me, than by another RC member

 

[Treeman]

Where are you going to be teaching?

I might have a couple compact flouresencent lights. I will look.

 

[Bret61081]

You should try to attend the next meeting...it is at a local middle school...I think its a week from this Tuesday...keep posted on the boards I am sure there will be more info! There will be lots of people there more then willing to offer you assistance!

 

[Osteomata]

ladyfsu,
The home page of reefcentral.com has a left side column of internal links. If you go about half way down on the left side, you will see links to "FAQs and Articles" I stronly recommend the first link entitled So you want to start a marine tank It covers all the basics. From there, you can check the other links, and read a bit in the forums, specifically the New to the Hobby forum. Hope I did the imbedded links correctly. As to your current tanks, the ones with some collected marine life and sea grasses:
1) How long was the tank running before you added the crabs and other animals? As a marine biology teacher, you probably know the Ammonia/Nitrite/Nitrate cycle, so pardon me if I am speaking below you: If you have not allowed your tanks to go through a natural cycle in which benifical bacteria have had a chance to build up in order to break down waste material from Amonia into Nitrites and then into Nitrates, your creatures may die. Cycling takes from 2 to 4 weeks. It can be tracked with three test kits. Once Ammonia and Nitrite have dropped to undetectable, and Nitrates are down to about 20 ppm, you can add some stuff, slowly.

2) Sea grasses: the light requirements vary by species, but many require significant light to maintain. I would recommend going with macro-algae instead. Chaeto and Calupra. Low light requirements, can probably get away with about 48 watts of flouresent in the 55G tank, less in smaller tanks. You dont need a special reef light for macro algae, but you should aim for a "plant grow light" or full spectrum light rather than a standard office style bulb. Ask for a bulb that peaks in the 6500K color range. This data is usually written on the package and the bulb itself.

3) Do you have the necessary test kits? Other than the already mentioned Ammonia, Nitrate, and Nitrite, do you have a Hydrometer or Refractometer to get the specific gravity correct? How about Alkalinity/kH. Marine pH?

4) A marine tank is not supposed to be all that much harder than a fresh water tank, but a reef tank is way harder. I would get your regular marine tanks working before moving to the reef tank.

 

[ladyfsu]

EEk...I teach in Pasco County I'm far away from you guys. I'm from Martin County and north of you guys by 90 miles. Now I'm quite a bit farther (Tampa-ish).

I'm very interested in learning more about this macro algae. That sounds like exactly what I need. I'll check those 2 you listed out.

....and yes, I know about the ammonia, etc. cycle. I'm so freaking excited to be setting up tanks that I'm having a hard time taking it slow, but fortunately financial reasons and lack of the right equiptment are forcing me to take it slow. I forsee many carwashes in my classes future, lol.

 

[Treeman]

If you haven't already, you should post in the Orca site on here. They may be a lot closer.

 

[Treeman]

If you are ever down this way I am sure we can help some.

 

[Kogo]

remember that when you set up classroom tanks, your not just teaching about fish.

the effort, planning, consideration, and forthought will be an even greater lesson than proper animal husbandry (also very important).

your ability to judge your own exuberance and prevent yourself from rushing into throwing a tank together will be one of the greatest lessons you can teach your students. after all, isnt so much in life about planning, effort, self discipline, and self control.

i think you will find that a classroom that contains life (weather fish, plants, tarantulas, or hamsters) will be an enriching enviornment that sparks the interest and intelect of children.

not to mention Gardner's theory of multiple inteligences and the idea of naturalistic intelligence (nature smart). its amazing how much a fish in a glass box can expand the world of a student.