PLEASE HELP ME!!

[danirose]

I am a freshwater hobyist, but I am in a marine biology class at school. We have four large tanks, two with invertebrates, one with fish and coral, and one with a horned shark. The problem is that my teacher, who took great care of these tanks, recently passed away from a battle with cancer (may he rest in peace).
Our new teacher knows nothing about salt water tanks, because she is also only in the freshwater hobby.
The tanks aren't being properly taken care of, because no one knows how.
They are very very large (especially the sharks tank).
I'm not sure how many gallons, but the invertebrates are at least in 75 gallons, the fish are in what looks like 300, and the shark is the largest tank at what looks like 500 at the very least.
If anyone could help me with advice on how to do water checks and changes that would be great.
The filtration system looks like it's home made with white pipes (I forgot what those are called).
I know it's not much info, but anything would help right now.
Nothing has died yet, but I'm worried that the animals aren't healthy.

Thanks again!

 

[Brian W]

You will need to contact your local fish stores and see if they do maintenance. They will be the best bet short term.
I'm not sure if the school would pay for it so a fundraiser or drive may need to be organized to get the tanks back in shape.

Try to learn as much as you can from this site, your LFS and service tech. You may be the key to keeping the tanks alive.

#reefsquad

 

[Brian W]

I am a freshwater hobyist, but I am in a marine biology class at school. We have four large tanks, two with invertebrates, one with fish and coral, and one with a horned shark. The problem is that my teacher, who took great care of these tanks, recently passed away from a battle with cancer (may he rest in peace).
Our new teacher knows nothing about salt water tanks, because she is also only in the freshwater hobby.
The tanks aren't being properly taken care of, because no one knows how.
They are very very large (especially the sharks tank).
I'm not sure how many gallons, but the invertebrates are at least in 75 gallons, the fish are in what looks like 300, and the shark is the largest tank at what looks like 500 at the very least.
If anyone could help me with advice on how to do water checks and changes that would be great.
The filtration system looks like it's home made with white pipes (I forgot what those are called).
I know it's not much info, but anything would help right now.
Nothing has died yet, but I'm worried that the animals aren't healthy.

Thanks again!

where are you located? What city/state?

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

Calling in the #reefsquad, there's a lot that needs to be covered with each of these tanks.

 

[JoshKReef]

This is a good place to start. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

You can find out how many gallons (approx) by measuring the dimensions of the tank.

(Length x Width x Height) x 7.5

Post some pictures of each setup. The fish/coral tank will be the hardest, he likely kept elements up by doing water changes, or dosing.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I am a freshwater hobyist, but I am in a marine biology class at school. We have four large tanks, two with invertebrates, one with fish and coral, and one with a horned shark. The problem is that my teacher, who took great care of these tanks, recently passed away from a battle with cancer (may he rest in peace).
Our new teacher knows nothing about salt water tanks, because she is also only in the freshwater hobby.
The tanks aren't being properly taken care of, because no one knows how.
They are very very large (especially the sharks tank).
I'm not sure how many gallons, but the invertebrates are at least in 75 gallons, the fish are in what looks like 300, and the shark is the largest tank at what looks like 500 at the very least.
If anyone could help me with advice on how to do water checks and changes that would be great.
The filtration system looks like it's home made with white pipes (I forgot what those are called).
I know it's not much info, but anything would help right now.
Nothing has died yet, but I'm worried that the animals aren't healthy.

Thanks again!

First off, Welcome to R2R! Lots of great people here with tons of knowledge.
I'm going to invite some of them in to start helping you out.
Can you tell us what test kits your teacher left you (if any)
#reefsquad

 

[James Hammett]

I am a freshwater hobyist, but I am in a marine biology class at school. We have four large tanks, two with invertebrates, one with fish and coral, and one with a horned shark. The problem is that my teacher, who took great care of these tanks, recently passed away from a battle with cancer (may he rest in peace).
Our new teacher knows nothing about salt water tanks, because she is also only in the freshwater hobby.
The tanks aren't being properly taken care of, because no one knows how.
They are very very large (especially the sharks tank).
I'm not sure how many gallons, but the invertebrates are at least in 75 gallons, the fish are in what looks like 300, and the shark is the largest tank at what looks like 500 at the very least.
If anyone could help me with advice on how to do water checks and changes that would be great.
The filtration system looks like it's home made with white pipes (I forgot what those are called).
I know it's not much info, but anything would help right now.
Nothing has died yet, but I'm worried that the animals aren't healthy.

Thanks again!

I am very new to this as well just started a reef in my classroom where I teach. You are in the right spot folks on here are knowledgeable and love too help.
Things I am thinking
1.) Do you have water test kits.
2.) what type of filtration is on each tank? Sumps, Hang on filters?
3.) Basic cleaning of filter material and protein skimmers?
4.) water changes?

In my class we keep records of everything we do, did your teacher do that is there a log of tank maintenance somewhere you could refer to and maybe mimic the set schedule?

I know i am not much help sorry just some idea of starting places. Also some photos of the tanks may give these guys ideas of what is going on and how to proceed. Did i mention folks on here are pretty good.

 

[danirose]

where are you located? What city/state?

Utah

 

[Greybeard]

City is big enough for a college, there's likely to be an aquarium maintenance company that can at least get you on the right path.

No, keeping marine animals isn't particularly difficult, BUT, there's a fairly steep learning curve at the beginning. You're jumping in at the deep end of the pool, and you've got animals that could be dying NOW. I'd get someone who knows what they're doing in there ASAP to evaluate current conditions and help develop a plan.

 

[danirose]

This is a good place to start. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

You can find out how many gallons (approx) by measuring the dimensions of the tank.

(Length x Width x Height) x 7.5

Post some pictures of each setup. The fish/coral tank will be the hardest, he likely kept elements up by doing water changes, or dosing.

I'll get some pictures after school and ask the teacher if she has any info

 

[Lovemyreef2015]

Welcome to R2R, you should try to find out if your teacher kept a log book or something for the tanks. Maybe he wrote things down?

 

[DSC reef]

All great advise. I'd look into an aquarium maintenance to get things going while you learn more as you go.

 

[danirose]

Welcome to R2R, you should try to find out if your teacher kept a log book or something for the tanks. Maybe he wrote things down?

I am hoping to get pictures and more information after school today.
If he didn't keep logs, I am going to contact my local fish stores and aquarium

 

[Why-Me]

Are there any notes, log book or maintenance schedules left behind by the previous teacher? I agree with the others here, get someone knowledgeable even an aquarium maintenance co. To help get you on track, they can help you make up a plan and you can tackle that daily. Shouldn't be that bad with a plan in place. Maybe you can find volunteers for extra credit or something?

 

[danirose]

You will need to contact your local fish stores and see if they do maintenance. They will be the best bet short term.
I'm not sure if the school would pay for it so a fundraiser or drive may need to be organized to get the tanks back in shape.

Try to learn as much as you can from this site, your LFS and service tech. You may be the key to keeping the tanks alive.

#reefsquad

I am definitely planning on contacting the local aquarium, because I'm mostly concerned about the shark. He was a rescue, and he's also pretty old. I am hoping that the aquarium will take him in and give him better care.

 

[danirose]

Are there any notes, log book or maintenance schedules left behind by the previous teacher? I agree with the others here, get someone knowledgeable even an aquarium maintenance co. To help get you on track, they can help you make up a plan and you can tackle that daily. Shouldn't be that bad with a plan in place. Maybe you can find volunteers for extra credit or something?

I really hope that there are logs, and I'm going to check after school. If not, I'm going to find professionals to help.

 

[Susan Edwards]

Why not ask a lfs to come do a "free" eval, and or to donate some services to help you. See if there is anything you can offer back, like giving that store credit (a card or plaque on the tank). Or just a one time thing. Can't hurt. they can only say no.

 

[Greybeard]

I really hope that there are logs, and I'm going to check after school. If not, I'm going to find professionals to help.

Good.

Once you know the animals are OK, then is the time to try and climb that hill, get the knowledge to be able to maintain them.

Transporting and maintaining adult sharks is a fairly specialized endeavor. I wouldn't count on your basic LFS owner or aquarium servicing company wanting to assume ownership.

If you were local to me, I'd suggest donating the shark to Bass Pro's new aquarium. You'd know it was going to a good home, anyway!

 

[JaimeAdams]

Try and find a local marine aquarium society or club. Someone from a local club might be willing to come and help out. Also there are a lot of businesses that will donate things, maybe like test kits to school programs.

 

[danirose]

First off, Welcome to R2R! Lots of great people here with tons of knowledge.
I'm going to invite some of them in to start helping you out.
Can you tell us what test kits your teacher left you (if any)
#reefsquad

I am hoping to find out more after school, but I'm sure that there are test kits. I'm going to try and find out as much information as I can. No one else has tried to do anything, not even the teacher, so I'm going to do all I can to help this. It's not my job, but I really care about these animals, and I really appreciate everyone's help!