An Educational Display Tank in a High School: Reef, Brackish, and Fresh Oh My!

[PistachioSkyBird]

Question for you guys: I am still debating about adding the new clownfish to the 300 gallon tank. The pair that is established in the tank has claimed the far corner of the tank as their territory. The clown that I would be adding is a small ocellaris, smaller than either of the pair that is in the tank.

I don't want to have to move the rock work and disturb the anemones to get him out if it doesn't work out, but the main request I get from the students is for Nemo in the main tanks.

 

[KrisReef]

I just skimmed the thread, so here are some skimmy answers.

A nemo could servive in the other corner but the real question that you have to answer, is what fish do you plan for the tank in the long run? Adding a movie character is ok, but is that a good reason to add a fish> (I don't know the answer, it's yours to ponder. You work at the school and know the situation.

Can that tank support and anemone? I have a tank overrun with "Inferno" bubble tips and might ship you one if your lighting will be able to keep it alive? Its not the natural nem for these fishes but they are beautiful/interesting.

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Question for you guys: I am still debating about adding the new clownfish to the 300 gallon tank. The pair that is established in the tank has claimed the far corner of the tank as their territory. The clown that I would be adding is a small ocellaris, smaller than either of the pair that is in the tank.

I don't want to have to move the rock work and disturb the anemones to get him out if it doesn't work out, but the main request I get from the students is for Nemo in the main tanks.

It really depends. 300 is alot, so it may work out, or it may not. Who knows. I know thats not really an answer, but there's really no way of finding out without trying. Is it worth the risk? That's up to you.

 

[PistachioSkyBird]

I just skimmed the thread, so here are some skimmy answers.

A nemo could servive in the other corner but the real question that you have to answer, is what fish do you plan for the tank in the long run? Adding a movie character is ok, but is that a good reason to add a fish> (I don't know the answer, it's yours to ponder. You work at the school and know the situation.

Can that tank support and anemone? I have a tank overrun with "Inferno" bubble tips and might ship you one if your lighting will be able to keep it alive? Its not the natural nem for these fishes but they are beautiful/interesting.

I am leaning towards keeping the clown in my classroom. I don't really want to risk it. I am planning on adding a royal Gramma, and a chalk basslet once they are out of quarantine. And eventually adding several tangs.

We just added some rock flowers to the tank and they are currently doing well but they have only been in there for about 2 weeks.

 

[PistachioSkyBird]

It really depends. 300 is alot, so it may work out, or it may not. Who knows. I know thats not really an answer, but there's really no way of finding out without trying. Is it worth the risk? That's up to you.

That's what I have kinda deduced from what I read online... I think I will probably just leave them in my classroom. The clown is a real pretty one and the students have already named it Coral.

 

[PistachioSkyBird]

The school has an open house today so I took some pictures of the nice clean tanks!

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

That's what I have kinda deduced from what I read online... I think I will probably just leave them in my classroom. The clown is a real pretty one and the students have already named it Coral.

Good choice!

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

The school has an open house today so I took some pictures of the nice clean tanks!

Looking pristine! Very, very nice job! I apologize if this has already been said or asked, but are you the only one managing these tanks?

 

[PistachioSkyBird]

Looking pristine! Very, very nice job! I apologize if this has already been said or asked, but are you the only one managing these tanks?

Pretty much, yes. I have people who help me feed them over the summer, and I am working on getting the students more involved. The tanks are finally at a point where it's mainly maintenance! That has cut down on the time it takes to take care of them!

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Pretty much, yes. I have people who help me feed them over the summer, and I am working on getting the students more involved. The tanks are finally at a point where it's mainly maintenance! That has cut down on the time it takes to take care of them!

Cool! Your students are very lucky to have you and these tanks! Thank you for all you do to get your students involved and interested in marine biology!

 

[PistachioSkyBird]

Cool! Your students are very lucky to have you and these tanks! Thank you for all you do to get your students involved and interested in marine biology!

I actually went to this highschool and I remember when the old tanks were in good shape. When they started talking about getting rid of them completely I just had to try and do something about it. I will admit though, the project got a lot bigger than I thought it was when I realized how bad of shape the old tanks were in...

 

[PistachioSkyBird]

I moved the chalk basslet out of quarantine to the big tank. They seem to be setting in well!

I tried to move the royal Gramma as well but the wedged themselves in the rock work so well that it wouldn't even come out when I took the rock work out and had it sitting on the counter while I caught the chalk basslet... The ordeal doesn't seem to have caused any problems for it... It's swimming around like normal in the tank today. I guess I will have to try and remove the rock work quicker next time I try to move it.