Where to begin.......

[brandonherren]

OK, so I feel like I have jumped from the frying pan and into the fire....
My university, at which I am a majoring in biology, is allowing the biology department to spend a sizable amount of money to add some fish tanks to the lobby of the science building. I have been selected to help with the set up, stocking and maintenance of these tanks. What they are looking to do is set up 3 rather large tanks, 300+/- gallons each, and all three are to be saltwater tanks. In one they want to stock with a shark and a ray, the second as a reef set up and the third with a cuttlefish. (the cuttlefish, from what I have read sounds like a terrible idea)

Now, my experience is with freshwater only, so my questions go out to all of the seasoned reefers out there.....

1) What books or websites do you recommend to help me to better understand the water chemistry and husbandry practices for maintaining healthy saltwater aquariums?
2) What books or websites do you recommend to help me understand the various life forms (fish, inverts, crustaceans, etc.) which inhabit these tanks?
3) Any advice for a newbie to saltwater tanks?

And finally...
4) Is there anyone in the Clarksville area who would care to share some knowledge in person?

 

[sandalscout]

My personal thoughts, and I'm a big newb, so take them with a grain of salt:

1 and 2) I like Tullock books, and unless I'm mistaken, he lives in Knoxville. I've glanced at some Sprung books, seem good as well. Dr. Shimek has some very nice books on husbandry in many areas as well.

3) READ.... as much as your can.

4) Check out the NTRC @ http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=383

We are a pretty active group in Clarksville, and there are some good people in the club. It's funny that you posted on here, at the last meeting, I actually asked if anybody from APSU (I assume that's were you are) was in the club since there are a couple of tanks in the Sundquist building, I don't think anybody realized that there were tanks there.

Welcome aboard!

 

[crumbletop]

<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

Great Project!

Yes, check out the North TN Reef Club. There are several folks up your way that are knowledgeable and could give you some great guidance. There is also a guy at MTSU (I think) who used to serve as a consultant to the large aquariums (Chattanooga, ?Atlanta) for sharks. I can't find his name or contact information right now and I can't remember who introduced me to him. He would be a good person to talk to if I can find his name (maybe someone else knows).

Since it sounds like these will be fish only, the setup shouldn't be too bad -- you just need to know a lot about the fish, and have the feeding routine/food and tank maintenance down really well. You'll need a good water source, good filtration (live rock), decent flow, temperature control, good waste removal, etc. Ongoing maintenance will likely involve expenses for food, salt, filtration supplies (carbon), test kits, water chemistry supplements. You will not need lots of expensive lighting unless you want to keep corals as well. You'll also need water mixup space and equipment, cleaning supplies, and proabably an autotopoff system. You'll likely also want to set up a quarantine system for any new fish or fish that get sick. I recommend a LOT of research on the front end before you guys start anything -- mainly on the requirements of the fish (feeding, size of tank needed, diseases they get and how to manage, how they do in captivity, who they can coexist with in an aquarium, etc.). The requirements for the fish should drive the rest of the equipment/setup.

 

[brandonherren]

sandalscout, I'm going to the NTRC meeting tonight, I hope to see you there! And yes, these are in reference to APSU's tanks...

 

[brandonherren]

crumbletop, I am highly interested in speaking with your MTSU (we think, lol) contact. I would love to pick his brain on several levels, like my current project and what I'd like to do with a degree in biology, i.e. work at a large aquarium and perhaps he could give some great insight into both...Please try and find him for me.....thanks, bh

 

[crumbletop]

If you are interested in Marine Biology and large tanks, I could also try to connect you with the main Marine Biologist at the Aquarium Restaurant (~220,000 gallon display). I would also recommend visiting the Aquarium Restaurant and taking a back stage tour.

 

[brandonherren]

Wow, that would be great! I see where you guys did the family night at the Aquarium Restaurant. Looking forward to trying to meet with some of your contacts. I'm a first year student up here at APSU, an older first year student as I was a soldier for 9 years as well. Thank you for your friendly help! -BH

 

[waynesworld]

http://www.amazon.com/Corals-World-Vol-Slip-Cover/dp/0642322368

This is one of the books you need If you want it pm me and I can tell you how to get it cheaper.

 

[NeveSSL]

I'm just going to second everything Jack said.

MAKE SURE that whoever is doing this researches the crap out of it. As the old saying goes, nothing good happens fast in this hobby, including setting up 3 300g tanks!

Also, this is kinda cool as I'm hoping and trying to get a job at APSU.

Brandon