Wanted: Veteran Reefer

[owenz]

I recently received an email from David Fassler of the Smith Leadership Academy -- a junior high school located on Fields Corner in Dorchester. David is seeking assistance in setting up a 90 gallon reef tank for the kids in one of the Academy's classrooms. I suggested to David that, in addition to myself, someone from the Boston Reefers might be interested in helping to set up the tank -- and provide advice on upkeep, maintenance, and stocking as he builds the tank.

David has some experience with freshwater tanks and an excellent general knowledge of wildlife, but this is his first attempt at SW. He recently received a generous equipment donation that he describes as follows:

It's a 90 gallon tank, heaters, pumps, protein skimmers, light hood, stand, filter, Jimmy Hoffa in a can, and three kitchen sinks. I don't recall the brand name of the components right now (I'm writing this from home) but I was told they are considered top of the line parts. (Some name that starts with an "E"). Ed told me the total value of the setup is around $3500.

One of the reasons I'm posting to the Reefer boards is my own rather limited reef experience. I have been reefing on a tight budget for only two years and my knowledge is limited (though not too shabby). I've got enthusiasm, but I think David and the kids would also benefit from a little grizzled veteran know-how.

This is really a good cause. Most of the kids at the Academy have never seen a reef tank - this will be a great opportunity for them to see one built from the ground up. Moreover, it should be a lot of fun.

Think of it this way: whether its your budget or your skeptical significant other, there is a limit to how many tanks you can squeeze into your house. So here's your chance to build another - with your creativity on full display for the public!

Let me know if you are interested.

Jason

 

[S Hunter]

When he does get setup, i'd be more than willing to let him have some of my Xenia (like all of it)

 

[APISTOBORELLI]

I'd be willing to help. Let me know what I can do.

 

[owenz]

Thanks for the responses, guys and gals. And thanks to all the people who PM'd me as well.

David and I are trying to schedule a first meeting (he and I have never actually met), at which point we'll survey all the equipment and figure out what he's got and what he needs. When I know the time of that meeting (possibly Friday evening), I will post it on the board and invite along anyone who'd like to come along.

Moving forward, David and I will attempt to document the project on the message board using a combination of text and pictures. As it grows into a tank, everyone will be able to follow the progress.

Thanks again for all the interest and amazing offers to help. We will take anything and everything we can get!

- Jason "Owenz" Owens

 

[NateHanson]

One thing to discuss with David is funding. Not to be a downer, but even given the equipment he's got, there will be about $500-1000 of upfront costs just to get the tank to the point of adding your first donated BRS frags. I'm thinking test kits, rock and salt in particular. Members can probably donate RODI water. Then fish will be another expense, because they're not as easily donated. Maybe $100-200 for some inexpensive fish.

Don't get me wrong. I think this is a great idea, and if I were around, I think I'd enjoy helping. But I also know how tight teachers' budgets and salaries are, and I'd hate for the class tank to get started without him being aware of all the costs, and then either have to leave it unfinished, or spend out of pocket beyond what he was comfortable with. Hope it all gets the green light, but make sure David has a realistic picture of the scope of the project.

 

[owenz]

That's a very good point, Nate. I've said similar things many times in my discussions with David. It is possible to find stuff like live rock at drastically reduced prices -- but even at $1.50/pound, it adds up quickly in a 90-gallon tank. It's going to take a lot of planning to get the tank running in phases. I envision starting with a FOLR, with reef-safe livestock.

We'll just have to see what equipment he's got. If, by some chance, he's has metal halides, a nice skimmer, and a working RO/DI unit...well, that will help matters.

I will say this: David seems pretty committed to fundraising for this effort. And kids can be pretty good at squeezing donations out of people!

 

[owenz]

To anyone who is interested:

I am meeting David at 5:30 pm on Friday at the school to look over the equipment and develop a game plan. Feel free to PM me if you are interested in attending this meeting. Everyone is invited.

 

[OceanGuy]

Offer of a visit

You can pass on my name to him. I've only been keeping a reef for a little more than a year (year in August), but I have a nice 220 gallon set up in my classroom and know the problems of having a tank in a classroom. Tell him I would welcome him for an after school visit and chat. I'm in Newton at F.A. Day Middle School 21 Minot Place Newtonville, MA 02460. call ahead (617) -559-9100or Tell him to e mail me at Tom_Barner@newton.mec.edu
if he is interested.

I'm also going to set up a Newbie class in October in the evening at my classroom if I can get someone to help with it and he is welcome to come to that. I can also help with some small frags to give to his class when he's up and running.

Tom Barner

I recently received an email from David Fassler of the Smith Leadership Academy -- a junior high school located on Fields Corner in Dorchester. David is seeking assistance in setting up a 90 gallon reef tank for the kids in one of the Academy's classrooms. I suggested to David that, in addition to myself, someone from the Boston Reefers might be interested in helping to set up the tank -- and provide advice on upkeep, maintenance, and stocking as he builds the tank.

David has some experience with freshwater tanks and an excellent general knowledge of wildlife, but this is his first attempt at SW. He recently received a generous equipment donation that he describes as follows:



One of the reasons I'm posting to the Reefer boards is my own rather limited reef experience. I have been reefing on a tight budget for only two years and my knowledge is limited (though not too shabby). I've got enthusiasm, but I think David and the kids would also benefit from a little grizzled veteran know-how.

This is really a good cause. Most of the kids at the Academy have never seen a reef tank - this will be a great opportunity for them to see one built from the ground up. Moreover, it should be a lot of fun.

Think of it this way: whether its your budget or your skeptical significant other, there is a limit to how many tanks you can squeeze into your house. So here's your chance to build another - with your creativity on full display for the public!

Let me know if you are interested.

Jason

 

[owenz]

You can pass on my name to him.

Thanks Tom, will do.

 

[owenz]

Just a final heads up to anyone interested: I am meeting David tonight at 5:30pm to examine his equipment and get the project started. All are welcome. David's number is 617-474-7950 x40 if you need directions.

 

[owenz]

Equipment

Hey everyone,

Last Friday I met with David and we went over the equipment he received from a donor. Attached are photos of the following:

Tank and Stand - fairly new 90-gallon tank with nice stand.

Wet Dry Filter - classic sump style wet/dry filter with bio balls.

Skimmer - what appears to be a Precision Marine Systems "bullet series" protein skimmer.

Eheim Canister - a large, Eheim Pro-Style canister filter

Heater Module - some sort of heater module, which had a traditional heater sticking out of it.

 

[owenz]

More pics

The last three pics are of:

Lighting Hood - dual tube lighting hood. I was hoping it might be VHO, but suspect it is ordinary flourescent.

Bulb Close up - a close up of the bulb in the hood.

Pump - there were two of these large pumps (and one smaller Rio 2100, not pictured)

----------------------------------------------

The biggest thing David was missing looked like an RO unit. So he is looking to purchase one. He will also need a couple of additional powerheads. In our meeting on Friday, I discussed with David some of the reasons that wet/dry filters are no longer considered an essential piece of SW fish/reef keeping and explained some of the drawbacks of using mechanical filtration, such as that provided by the canister filter (while pointing out that the canister will be useful for water movement and dosing the tank with charcoal, medications, etc.). I also discussed the possibility of converting the wet/dry over to a sump/refugium.

Because the lighting appears to be insufficient for reefing at this time, I suggested to David that he start out with a FOLR setup, populated with reef-safe fish. Then, once the tank is running, he can upgrade the lighting and begin adding coral.

The next step, I suspect, is finding someone who can help us plumb the existing equipment together. Being the relative amateur that I am, I have never plumbed a sump or a drilled tank before.

Also, can anyone think of any glaring equipment shortages I have not pointed out? Other pieces of advice?

 

[KAS2]

OMG. I grew up four blocks from there. I'd be willing to help with plumbing, donate salt and RODI water, etc. But I have to agree with Nate. Being 3/4 to a functioning system leaves a lot left to do. And I'm concerned about what happens in the summer when the building is left to fester.

Jason, you and David can feel free to PM me.

-Rich

 

[wrassefan]

the spears gate valve on the bullet skimmer does not belong there...it belongs infront of the skimmer square body to control the water level. Where the spears valve is now is where you hook up the hose to pump the water in with a pressure rated or large pump.

 

[NateHanson]

That bulb is definitely a Normal Output bulb, so it's probably a good assumption that the fixture is also NO.

 

[grendel]

I have a fixture (T5's, I think),seio powerhead, salt, about 30lbs of rock and an RO/DI unit to donate.

Once it's cycled, I have a bunch of leathers and BTA's they can have. I also have a very healthy female Tomato Clown.

Someone's going to need to come and get it though.

I may also have a sump around here.

 

[rich]

very cool donation

Very generous donation Grendel. I will plumb it or help whoever does if they need it. I would leave the bioballs in place as there is no live rock for bacteria to grow on it appears you have a nice set up now capable of either fowler or with the t5's a reef tank in which case the bioballs have to go. Either way the plumbing remains the same with or without bioballs. An adequate set up with much more than I expected. First I would locate some suitable sand and some of us will seed it with ours, and you might need new bulbs for the donated lights. Next ask for donations for live rock I know I could spare a piece and let the tank cycle. Keep an eye out for some used powerheads and you should be ready to go. Go with donated rodi water until someone sells a used system for cheap. Already some really nice donations very cool BRS...

 

[owenz]

I have a fixture (T5's, I think),seio powerhead, salt, about 30lbs of rock and an RO/DI unit to donate.

Once it's cycled, I have a bunch of leathers and BTA's they can have. I also have a very healthy female Tomato Clown.

Someone's going to need to come and get it though.

I may also have a sump around here.

Wow, that is awesome. I will tell David and I know he will take you up on it. In other news, I will be getting David signed up for this board any day now so he can communicate progress himself!

 

[owenz]

OMG. I grew up four blocks from there. I'd be willing to help with plumbing, donate salt and RODI water, etc. But I have to agree with Nate. Being 3/4 to a functioning system leaves a lot left to do. And I'm concerned about what happens in the summer when the building is left to fester.

Jason, you and David can feel free to PM me.

-Rich

Rich,

When I was a kid, we had a cold water tank in my 3rd grade classroom. Over vacation, a janitor cut power to the room...with predictable results. I've relayed this story to David (along with some other fun horror stories related to mass livestock deaths, electrocution, etc.), so he's aware of the many issues that arise with keeping a tank.

Jason

 

[owenz]

Very generous donation Grendel. I will plumb it or help whoever does if they need it. I would leave the bioballs in place as there is no live rock for bacteria to grow on it appears you have a nice set up now capable of either fowler or with the t5's a reef tank in which case the bioballs have to go. Either way the plumbing remains the same with or without bioballs. An adequate set up with much more than I expected. First I would locate some suitable sand and some of us will seed it with ours, and you might need new bulbs for the donated lights. Next ask for donations for live rock I know I could spare a piece and let the tank cycle. Keep an eye out for some used powerheads and you should be ready to go. Go with donated rodi water until someone sells a used system for cheap. Already some really nice donations very cool BRS...

Very cool donations from the BRS is right. And you are thinking along the exact same lines as me, Rich.

We will definitely be looking to add some live rock first to get the tank cycling. In terms of sand...it may make sense to start cycling without any substrait to start - in the hopes of finding someone who will donate a large quantity of high quality sand while taking apart their reef tank. God knows argonite costs a fortune if you buy it by the bag...but sand is one of those things where you're pretty much stuck with what you start with.

If we can get it plumbed and filled with properly mixed water and some live rock, we'll be off to a good start.