laxing22
New member
Hey guys, I know this is a reef forum, but I thought this would still be of interest to many locals. For those of you who don’t know me (I have not had a reef tank in a while), I’m Ben and am basically just a nature nut who likes to put a little back to nature and share my love of it with others (like many of you).
As many of you know, Jerry got the ball rolling here (with the help of many of you) for our wonderful reef tank at “The Binghamton Zoo at Ross Parkâ€Â. Anyhow thanks to Jerry pointing me in the right direction, I am now starting work with Mike Janis (Zoo director) for a few new aquatic exhibits in a brand new building at the base of the zoo (right past the pond). The building will have several sections, but the middle is the area I get to work in. The main attraction will be that of a Hellbender salamander (http://www.hellbenders.org/) the area we have to work with is only about 4’ wide, but plenty of depth and height (they get up to 29â€Â!). It looks like we will get the most out of the area buy making a cement pond (similar to the otters). Being that the Hellbender spend 95% of its time under water, we need a little land but not much. This display will be at the end of a sort of hall like room. The walls of this room will have other tanks, and run about 20’.
Basically what I would like to get back from you guys:
Any thoughts on a local species that could live on the land with the Hellbender â€"œ preferable something that likes water but will spend most of its time on land as we don’t need it eaten. The Hellbender with be the main display, but spend most of their day hiding under rocks, not moving and fully camouflaged in so many will see an empty tank with a lot of rocks. We will put some local mino’s in the tank, but these are almost secondary feedings. (did I mention these get 29â€Â?)
The zoo has a budget, but obviously depends on the generosity of others. Both in labor and in donations of extra equipment. I will post needs as they arise, but I have spoken with some of you already on needs. One major issue with the hellbender is they need major flow and extra clean water (they breathe through their skin). So outside of the main tank, a sump will be needed with filtration and a big strong return pump.
Thoughts from you guys….
What should go in some of the other tanks. This building is being built to show diversity in the animal kingdom both locally and abroad. For example a snow leopard will be on one side of the building with a cougar on the other to so adaption and its advantages and disadvantages (snow leopard are disappearing while the cougar is the most divers and abundant wild cat.) Some thought the zoo has is a emerald boa, tree frogs, Eastern Red Spotted Newts (Ref Efts) and different gecko’s (not in the same tank â€"œ lol) Anyhow, Mike asked me if I would be willing to put some time into this too (and I obviously said yes). Some things to conceder is we can stack tanks as a display, but the upper tanks would need creatures that are not bottom dwelling so parents are not picking kids up all day to look at something.
On this same note. Anyone with some spare tanks â€"œ speak up! They don’t even need to hold water (let me know though) So if you have that 75 gal tank with the slow leak in the garage that you have not gotten yourself to get rid of yet, the zoo could use it.
Anyhow, thanks in advance for any help. Please feel free to post here, or IM me (esp. if you want my email or phone number.)
As many of you know, Jerry got the ball rolling here (with the help of many of you) for our wonderful reef tank at “The Binghamton Zoo at Ross Parkâ€Â. Anyhow thanks to Jerry pointing me in the right direction, I am now starting work with Mike Janis (Zoo director) for a few new aquatic exhibits in a brand new building at the base of the zoo (right past the pond). The building will have several sections, but the middle is the area I get to work in. The main attraction will be that of a Hellbender salamander (http://www.hellbenders.org/) the area we have to work with is only about 4’ wide, but plenty of depth and height (they get up to 29â€Â!). It looks like we will get the most out of the area buy making a cement pond (similar to the otters). Being that the Hellbender spend 95% of its time under water, we need a little land but not much. This display will be at the end of a sort of hall like room. The walls of this room will have other tanks, and run about 20’.
Basically what I would like to get back from you guys:
Any thoughts on a local species that could live on the land with the Hellbender â€"œ preferable something that likes water but will spend most of its time on land as we don’t need it eaten. The Hellbender with be the main display, but spend most of their day hiding under rocks, not moving and fully camouflaged in so many will see an empty tank with a lot of rocks. We will put some local mino’s in the tank, but these are almost secondary feedings. (did I mention these get 29â€Â?)
The zoo has a budget, but obviously depends on the generosity of others. Both in labor and in donations of extra equipment. I will post needs as they arise, but I have spoken with some of you already on needs. One major issue with the hellbender is they need major flow and extra clean water (they breathe through their skin). So outside of the main tank, a sump will be needed with filtration and a big strong return pump.
Thoughts from you guys….
What should go in some of the other tanks. This building is being built to show diversity in the animal kingdom both locally and abroad. For example a snow leopard will be on one side of the building with a cougar on the other to so adaption and its advantages and disadvantages (snow leopard are disappearing while the cougar is the most divers and abundant wild cat.) Some thought the zoo has is a emerald boa, tree frogs, Eastern Red Spotted Newts (Ref Efts) and different gecko’s (not in the same tank â€"œ lol) Anyhow, Mike asked me if I would be willing to put some time into this too (and I obviously said yes). Some things to conceder is we can stack tanks as a display, but the upper tanks would need creatures that are not bottom dwelling so parents are not picking kids up all day to look at something.
On this same note. Anyone with some spare tanks â€"œ speak up! They don’t even need to hold water (let me know though) So if you have that 75 gal tank with the slow leak in the garage that you have not gotten yourself to get rid of yet, the zoo could use it.
Anyhow, thanks in advance for any help. Please feel free to post here, or IM me (esp. if you want my email or phone number.)
....But I hear you....that was a quick couple of years.
