zoo tank updates

If you guys do go, please add ro/di to the kalk bucket. BTW, their should be sufficient saltwater already made up to compensate for the water used to fill the SH tank.
 
So I was able to summon the strength to make a brief appearance since I had to vacate my home during an Open House. Adam, Dave and Steve were hard at work doing a complete Spring cleaning in perapation for the opening. They took apart and cleaned the sump. They replaced the sand in the remote deep sand bed, cleaned the skimmer etc. Dave cleaned out as much cyano as possible and reaquascaped the sand portion of the tank. They placed sand and live rock in the Seahorse tank and we filled the tank. Nate and Vinces plumbing appeared flawless and there were no leaks. Once I get the go ahead from the zoo (I have a meeting with Mike next Saturday) I'll order the horses and get new lamps for the 180. So a hu8ge thanx to everyone involved for all their time and hard work. Believe it or not, this will be the third season for our display.
 
Nice work guys! I am glad the plumbing didn't leak. Hay vince...

a_g_vince.jpg
 
hey Jerry, just a reminder, have the zoo to double (or even triple) the amount they're feeding... and if we havent already, order fans for the lights, and an impeller shaft for the backup skimmer (whoops)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14620104#post14620104 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Piazzon12
hey Jerry, just a reminder, have the zoo to double (or even triple) the amount they're feeding... and if we havent already, order fans for the lights, and an impeller shaft for the backup skimmer (whoops)
Seriously - Dan and I were up for the Hellbender tank and we stopped by the reef - tank looks great, but we felt bad for the fish. Never really saw emaceated fish before.
 
Hey guys i just found this Southern Tier section on RC, and is this tank at a Zoo? I'd be very interested in seeing it sometime. I'm from the Elmira area, and i'm working on reading through this thread. I think it's a wonderful idea what you guys are doing! I feel that a beautiful reef tank inspires so much creativity for the people planning it, and it provides all the "viewers" a since of conection with the ocean, and a great learning device about diversity and nature!
 
Finnyas Reef (St James and Geo) have kindly offered to donate seahorses to the zoo. They are trying to locate some and I will let everyone know when they are found. I also will be ordering a bunch of inverts for both tanks including snails, hermits, a cleaner shrimp and the zoo gave a green light for a harlequin shrimp to see if that can control the asternia stars. So there is not a ton to do yet. The zoo does want to go back to two part additives since the keepers find the Kalkwasser dosing system more trouble. They indicated a willingness to do more maintenance including water testing, adjusting chemistry etc. They would like us to keep doing the monthly water changes.
The other things we need to do is repaint the sides of the seahorse tank, and clean out the calcium deposits from the main pump impeller and impeller housing that may be contributing to the vibration noise. I also will order new lamps for the 180. Thats all I can think of off hand.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14643497#post14643497 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefscape15
Hey guys i just found this Southern Tier section on RC, and is this tank at a Zoo? I'd be very interested in seeing it sometime. I'm from the Elmira area, and i'm working on reading through this thread. I think it's a wonderful idea what you guys are doing! I feel that a beautiful reef tank inspires so much creativity for the people planning it, and it provides all the "viewers" a since of conection with the ocean, and a great learning device about diversity and nature!

The tank is at the Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park...

http://www.rossparkzoo.com/

http://www.divephotoguide.com/news/binghamton_zoo_to_open_a_new_coral_reef_exhibit

If you would like a behind the scenes tour just keep an eye on this thread for when the next time people meet up is and join in. We have a really great group of guys and gals here and more help is always welcome!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14680030#post14680030 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drbronx
Finnyas Reef (St James and Geo) have kindly offered to donate seahorses to the zoo. They are trying to locate some and I will let everyone know when they are found. I also will be ordering a bunch of inverts for both tanks including snails, hermits, a cleaner shrimp and the zoo gave a green light for a harlequin shrimp to see if that can control the asternia stars. So there is not a ton to do yet. The zoo does want to go back to two part additives since the keepers find the Kalkwasser dosing system more trouble. They indicated a willingness to do more maintenance including water testing, adjusting chemistry etc. They would like us to keep doing the monthly water changes.
The other things we need to do is repaint the sides of the seahorse tank, and clean out the calcium deposits from the main pump impeller and impeller housing that may be contributing to the vibration noise. I also will order new lamps for the 180. Thats all I can think of off hand.

The zoo should really just get a large calcium reactor. You can set it and forget it. We would only have to do maintenance on it once ever 4-6 months and it may really help with keeping the stony corals and gorgs happy and healthy. The zoo would never have to touch it. Kalk in the top off is nice but not sufficient for a tank that size IMO.
 
I agree wholeheartedly with your suggestion Nate and I just pitched that idea to them. Perhaps if we could find a used one at a reasonable price I could convince them to go for it. However,, now with funds being tight due to reductions in state assistance, they are forced to be more fiscally conservative so that a new one is not currently in the cards.

Thanks for posting the links.
 
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