A reef tank in a school?

[Ori]

Would it be possible to have a reef in a school? I guess you could automate feeding and such, but would it be ok during the summer?

 

[Js.Aqua.Project]

Yes, I sponsor the Marine Biology Club at my high school and we have multiple tanks up and running year round. The biggest problem is dealing with the temperature, our district shuts off the A/C over the weekends and summer. Fortunately, we have multiple Apex running to kill the lights if the tanks get too warm. Our main display reef tank is a Red Sea C-250 and because of the hood w/ T5s we had to add a chiller as well. (I do know that Ocala, FL has a much different climate than Alberta, Canada)

The next concern was actually water levels. Again, we were fortunate that some members of the Ocala Reef Club donated us some ATOs.

I found feeding to be the least concern, I stopped in twice a week to feed and everything did well, including lowering our NO3 and PO4 levels.

My strongest recommendation is if you put a tank in your school is to get an Apex (a JR will work) - or another controller - and work with the IT department to get it permission to talk to Fusion so you can get alerts and check on the tank while you are away.

 

[Ori]

That’s really helpful, thank you! An apex sounds perfect. Who should I talk to about getting a tank set up?

 

[CC13]

Would it be possible to have a reef in a school? I guess you could automate feeding and such, but would it be ok during the summer?

Out of curiosity is it the tank in your build thread?

 

[Ori]

Out of curiosity is it the tank in your build thread?

No, that’s my personal tank . I’m wondering I can get a different tank running in my school haha.

 

[Js.Aqua.Project]

No, that’s my personal tank . I’m wondering I can get a different tank running in my school haha.

My first question, are you a student or teacher?

 

[Ori]

My first question, are you a student or teacher?

Student

 

[CC13]

My first question, are you a student or teacher?

Actually ya... good question cause this makes a difference.

Student

Might be a little harder to get the money approval for this as a student. I'm sure its not impossible, but you are more likely to get the funding for it if you can find a teacher (biology) to side with you and push for it.

 

[Js.Aqua.Project]

Student

Are you looking to have it exposed to the whole school? Or in a classroom?

 

[Ori]

Are you looking to have it exposed to the whole school? Or in a classroom?

Hmm, probably in a biology classroom or something.

 

[Js.Aqua.Project]

From the teacher/sponsor side, I would recommend finding a teacher and seeing about starting a Marine Biology Club at your school (perfect excuse to have a reef tank). I would start by putting the tank in that teacher's classroom, then when administrators see that the tank and that it can be successful try to get one installed in the front office (or another preferred location).

So start with a teacher/sponsor. Be prepared to explain how it is educational and how it will be funded.

 

[Ori]

Do any of you know if it's possible to get a grant from the school board or something for this? I'm not really sure how to fund it.

 

[Wen]

From the teacher/sponsor side, I would recommend finding a teacher and seeing about starting a Marine Biology Club at your school (perfect excuse to have a reef tank). I would start by putting the tank in that teacher's classroom, then when administrators see that the tank and that it can be successful try to get one installed in the front office (or another preferred location).

So start with a teacher/sponsor. Be prepared to explain how it is educational and how it will be funded.

Agree. +++

Also have solid plan for summer and holiday caregivers. (Reef club, marine bio faculty, long term dedicated adult volunteer...)

Getting a sponsor for the initial investment (tank, lights, livestock, etc.) would aid your request.

You should make a yearly supplies budget, which will need approval too. (Salt, filters, food, supplies..)

Does your school have a RODI water making station? It’s almost mandatory to have. (Water storage barrels, cart to transport water..)

It’s a big undertaking, but worth it.

Good luck!

 

[Js.Aqua.Project]

Do any of you know if it's possible to get a grant from the school board or something for this? I'm not really sure how to fund it.

My local district does a "Grant for Great Ideas" campaign, but only faculty may apply. I would look for something similar and recommend it to what ever teacher you con/bribe/convince to sponsor the Marine Biology Club.

Try reaching out to tank manufacturers and see where you get that way as well. (I have not been successful that way other than discounts we still couldn't afford)

Remember that beggers can't be choosers and the worst any of them can say is "no" (which really isn't all that bad).

Also, see if you have a Local Reef Club, you may get lucky and some of them may be able to scrap a tank together for you or at least get you some equipment which would lower your start up cost.

 

[Wen]

Our school didn’t have the extra $$$ to spend on the initial investment, so a donor stepped in. A small plaque on tank thanks them for it. (Also, the LFS sold the tank at wholesale because it was a nonprofit.)
Do you have a good relationship with your LFS?)

Our marine bio department has $300 per year to buy supplies for it.

 

[davocean]

Many times local clubs will donate, check area clubs

 

[Mordie101]

My 180g Classroom Build
https://www.reef2reef.com/index.php?threads/My-180g-Classroom-Build.405591/

 

[Js.Aqua.Project]

Our school didn’t have the extra $$$ to spend on the initial investment, so a donor stepped in. A small plaque on tank thanks them for it. (Also, the LFS sold the tank at wholesale because it was a nonprofit.)
Do you have a good relationship with your LFS?)

Our marine bio department has $300 per year to buy supplies for it.

We were lucky and got a grant to purchase the C-250 used for really cheap and a LFS donated the chiller.

Everything else has come from dues, fundraising, or direct donation.

We have a good connection with our LFS and as a school we get a discount and we don't pay tax on supplies.

Our "Wet Lab" just got rearranged as students will soon be starting to learn how to culture phytoplankton and zooplankton. The C250 isn't in this photo as it is now in my classroom and we hit restart on hit because we got to experience global warming first hand when the pump that feeds our chiller failed (hence we now have an Apex Jr on that tank).

We have stickers on the inside of the cabinet door for all businesses that have made a donation to the club.