Thoughts and recommendations (1 Viewer)

[paraletho]

Well I got word that the school wants to look into repairing or upgrading the present aquarium system that they are using. As the current one a 10 yr old DD is set up for medium light and no automation other than an ATO. Current tank is an 8 ft 300 gallon heavily Euro-braced that we have successfully housed Euphyllia and softies, all types of fish including sharks that actually reproduced in tank. I have recommended that we move to the next level and go SPS dominant. I would like to stay with the same gallonage but not necessarily the same foot print.

I have begun talking to some of the Houston shops about proposals and installation. Some of the restrictions are it will be in a public place meaning no open tops, nice well made cabinetry that lends itself to security, minimum light spillage. Has to be against the wall no island tanks or peninsulas.

My plan is for an aquarium club mentored by myself and possibly a science teacher. SPS corals raised and sold to the public with the proceeds to a scholarship to be awarded to a deserving member of the the team upon graduation.

My reason for this thread is sometimes ordinary everyday reefers have the most brilliant solutions and ideas. You have a nearly unlimited budget for this project let your imagination run wild. Important considerations for me are enough automation to handle day to day and alert warnings. Ease of maintenance and accessibility.

 

[Mpolasek]

you know just saying when you have an aquarium in a public you will need very strong glass, and locks, and also i know my fish are sensitive to noise and im currently at a school where people have turned into destroying the restrooms into a hobby and its normally very loud so if you have a tank at school just keep an eye on it.

 

[Reefahholic]

Definitely a sump at waist high in a fish room or dedicated area.

Large diameter plumbing.

Closed loops with large pumps for additional flow.

Calcium Reactor (Geo CR1218)

Orphek Atlantik V4 Gen 2 lighting. (Energy efficient)

All Vortech pumps.

Deltec skimmer.

Large remote macro algae refugium located by sump.

Skip the sand unless people will clean it.

Dry rock and only introduce live tissue.

 

[Ostentum]

Pumps are going to be challenging vortechs will get knocked off. I have a 375g sps dominated damn near fully automated I am about to hook up the automated water change system here shortly

 

[paraletho]

Pumps are going to be challenging vortechs will get knocked off. I have a 375g sps dominated damn near fully automated I am about to hook up the automated water change system here shortly

I agree we have two Mp40s right now and between sticky fingered 4 yr. olds (moved the pumps higher) and school staff trying to clean the glass for events (when I couldn’t get there) it is a challenge. I made signs stuck on the back that said HOT don’t touch. Some took this as a dare. You can’t win! I take that back I win every time I see the faces of the people that are amazed at the living wonders of our oceans.

 

[paraletho]

@Reefahholic I agree with the dry rock scenario for sure and quarantine and dip and either new plugs or direct glue. Sump at waist level I would love it is what I have at home but with the space provided not doable. Up against a brick wall in a foyer the back side of said wall is the gymnasium. Deltec yea bulletproof. Calcium reactor check! I am a T5 guy but everyone has just about convinced me to go LED especially with the canopy constraints and heat issues for the units. Will probably keep sand though will not be using the oolite that we had for the sharks.

 

[Reefahholic]

I’m T5 guy too, but considering the costs longterm in a large aquarium I’d be tempted to go LED’s only for a school tank. Just build the stand at 42” and throw the sump down there. Too bad the gym is not a small fish room.

@Reefahholic I agree with the dry rock scenario for sure and quarantine and dip and either new plugs or direct glue. Sump at waist level I would love it is what I have at home but with the space provided not doable. Up against a brick wall in a foyer the back side of said wall is the gymnasium. Deltec yea bulletproof. Calcium reactor check! I am a T5 guy but everyone has just about convinced me to go LED especially with the canopy constraints and heat issues for the units. Will probably keep sand though will not be using the oolite that we had for the sharks.

 

[gregg]

Gonna be a shark in there?

 

[paraletho]

Gonna be a shark in there?

Been there done that. Not in my SPS tank a big old nasty shark maybe a couple Borbonius anthias. Really I would love to have a shark again but in a dedicated biotope where I could minimize conflicts.

 

[Reefahholic]

Been there done that. Not in my SPS tank a big old nasty shark maybe a couple Borbonius anthias. Really I would love to have a shark again but in a dedicated biotope where I could minimize conflicts.

Minimize conflicts!

 

[decimal]

Sounds like a pretty cool idea. what would be the scope of the club be? marine life observation, the setup of automation components, aquatic husbandry, Reefing touches a lot of areas and i would venture to say that some of those areas are a somewhat deep dive.

Vortech is not the only viable pump solution. Nero, Gyre, Tunze, Reefbreeder, spring to mind as are very dependable competitors.

As far as lighting is concerned, I don't know if you have followed some recent discussions here about that, but i think the general consensus has been that hybrid systems are the most effective and desirable. the LED's, like MH, give the water that "shimmer" that seems to make a tank sparkle and when combined with the dependable characteristics of T5 are a suitable replacement for MH with out the drawback of heat.

 

[Mpolasek]

ok im way too curious to not know what school is this you dont have to answer if you dont want to

 

[paraletho]

Sabine Pass ISD on the beach south of Port Arthur TX. Not to toot our own horn but our UIL Academics team has taken the State Championship in 6 of the last 7 years. We regularly beat 5A schools in academic contests. We have students and staff dedicated to learning in an environment where that can prosper. Part of that I feel is making learning fun. Biology from the book vs biology hands on. Entrepreneurship from a book vs helping run a business. We have classes where you can graduate as an accredited Microsoft IT tech or go to work as an insurance agent. We have the support of industry interested in having skilled workers who can run CNC machines. The leader of our IT team turned down a lucrative career in the field with the stipulation that he was allowed to develop his own program. With his help we helped a young lady with cystic fibrosis attend school, eat lunch with her friends, have the school experience through the use of a robot controlled by her from her home. It is not your normal small town country school but something we have built with a little luck, lots of hard work, and a vision!

PS You might say I’m a little proud

 

[Mpolasek]

ya now I'm jealous my school is literally not special the most unique things we have are aquatic science and welding and car repair

 

[Reefahholic]

Sabine Pass is a small town all of its own. Probably one of the last places like it around that area. The only three times it gets disturbed is when the beach comes to life, the rigs get a lot of work, or the fishing picks up. All of these activities send people right through the middle of that little town.

I’ve fished, hunted, worked, partied, and did a few other things that we won’t mention... in that little town.

Sabine Pass ISD on the beach south of Port Arthur TX. Not to toot our own horn but our UIL Academics team has taken the State Championship in 6 of the last 7 years. We regularly beat 5A schools in academic contests. We have students and staff dedicated to learning in an environment where that can prosper. Part of that I feel is making learning fun. Biology from the book vs biology hands on. Entrepreneurship from a book vs helping run a business. We have classes where you can graduate as an accredited Microsoft IT tech or go to work as an insurance agent. We have the support of industry interested in having skilled workers who can run CNC machines. The leader of our IT team turned down a lucrative career in the field with the stipulation that he was allowed to develop his own program. With his help we helped a young lady with cystic fibrosis attend school, eat lunch with her friends, have the school experience through the use of a robot controlled by her from her home. It is not your normal small town country school but something we have built with a little luck, lots of hard work, and a vision!

PS You might say I’m a little proud