John Hersey High School 90 Gallon Reef Tank

[Funlad3]

I've been trying to get something like this running for the past four years at my school, I've finally found a teacher that wants a reef in their classroom! Naturally, it's an Environmental Science class, so it's a perfect fit.

Dave (Aquaman), is cutting me a deal on an extra 90 Gallon that he has, and it'll fit perfectly in the fromt corner of the room, between the whiteboard and the lab benches. On top of the 90 gallon tank, I'm planning of having a 40G display fuge with some tidal fish, just to round out the environment a bit more.

As far as equipment goes, the only thing set in stone is that we're going to be getting a 5 Stage RODI unit from Bulk Reef Supply that the chemistry department will also use. So that's good. The plan for equipment is going to be to try to acquire top-of-the-line everything directly from the company. I've been authorized by the teacher and his division head to offer letters of donations (for tax write offs) to any company that donate equipment.

I'm planning to reach out to Ecotech, Danner, Coralvue (Reef Octopus), Apollo LED, and a few other companies next week to see if we can get the ball rolling. Otherwise, I may just have to snipe some deals from Craigslist so that we can get the tank wet...

The tank is going to be in a perfect position for ATO directly from the RO unit, and I really want to have an automated water change system that pumps away old water down an in-lab-bench-sink.

I'm really excited about this project, and I can't wait to share all of this with the school. It's going to be a blast.

- Ben

 

[steveo9043]

That is awesome! I think most companies would jump on the opportunity to donate to that cause. Hope we get a build thread going!

 

[maidia]

You work for JH or you graduated from JH.

 

[capysolo]

You planning on LEDs for lights? Or would you like T5s? I have an 8 bulb fixture I'd be willing to donate to the cause. I've tried to sell it, but no luck... Let me know, i could bring it when i pick up the coral.

 

[capysolo]

I guess i should have read ALL of your post... I hope you get some really nice stuff from the companies. If no one donates lights though, my offer stands.

 

[MrDemonicAngel]

Wow this is awesome stuff. I don't really have extra equipment lying around to donate but I do have tons of chaeto I can bag up when you're ready. Xenias and Kenyas too if you want them in the tank.


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[ColaAddict]

Nice. Goodluck

 

[Funlad3]

You work for JH or you graduated from JH.

Mai, I'm a senior there this year! My goal is to make as much of the tank maintenance automated as possible so that the tank can be running year round, even once I graduate.

 

[Funlad3]

Wow this is awesome stuff. I don't really have extra equipment lying around to donate but I do have tons of chaeto I can bag up when you're ready. Xenias and Kenyas too if you want them in the tank.


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Danny, I'd love to grab some Chaeto from you! I want to keep Xenia and Kenya out of the tank (for obvious reasons), but thanks for the offer!

 

[maidia]

Oh, my daughter just grad from there last year. Let see I have something to give you. Good luck.

 

[Funlad3]

I guess i should have read ALL of your post... I hope you get some really nice stuff from the companies. If no one donates lights though, my offer stands.

Mark, that's an incredibly generous offer! If I can't get some LEDs from a company, I'd love to take you up on the offer, and get you a few extra frags to boot!

I'm planning on LEDs, as they have a smaller maintenance cost, lower temperature (I do NOT want a chiller!), and no bulb replacement. Again, I'm planning for the long term.

 

[fishyfish22]

Sweet! A reef tank for Palatine high school and one for Hersey high school! I don't have a thread going yet but I will as soon as I get more things together! Haha Good and let's not turn this competitive!


-Giancarlo

 

[DD]

Great stuff Ben! I look forward to seeing this come together.

 

[Funlad3]

Great stuff Ben! I look forward to seeing this come together.

Thanks Dom! I still have your fish trap, by the way. When can you grab it?

 

[Funlad3]

Sweet! A reef tank for Palatine high school and one for Hersey high school! I don't have a thread going yet but I will as soon as I get more things together! Haha Good and let's not turn this competitive!


-Giancarlo

Uh, this is SO going to get competitive, Giancarlo! Hersey WILL have the best tank!

 

[fishyfish22]

Uh, this is SO going to get competitive, Giancarlo! Hersey WILL have the best tank!

Palatine will have the best theme!


-Giancarlo

 

[Funlad3]

SO I just picked up the tank and stand from Dave (Aquaman)! Everything looks great, and he was a blast to talk to. He set me up with a great deal, and I can't wait to bring this tank into school on Tuesday. Pictures to come!

 

[Funlad3]

So I just got done drafting the request letter for the equimpment, and along with it, the list of required supplies. Now obviously, I'm hoping to get a lot of the major supplies brand new direct from the manufacturer (Vortechs, Radions, etc.), but if anyone here has anything off of the list that they'd be willing to donate, I'll do all within my power to turn that into a tax credit for you.

Shoot me a PM if you can help; thanks!

- Ben

Required Items List

• Sufficient LED Lighting for a 4’ 90 Gallon Reef Tank
• LED Lighting for a 40 Gallon Tide Pool Shallow Reef Tank
• 100-200 Rated Gallons Protein Skimmer
• 1/4 – 1/3 HP Chiller
• 300 Watt Heater
• Multiple Powerheads for 90 Gallon Reef Tank
• ~100 Pounds Dry/Live Rock
• ~80 Pounds Dry/Live Sand
• Instant Ocean Salt
• Reverse Osmosis Deionization Unit
• Full Tank Controller with ~ 20 Controllable Outlets
• Dual Media Reactors
• Phosphate Media/GFO
• Carbon Media/GAC
• ~ 1200 Gallons per Hour Return Pump
• Aqualifter Pump
• Dosing Pump(s) for Calcium, Alkalinity, and Magnesium Dosing
• Calcium Chloride, Sodium Carbonate, Magnesium Chloride powders
• (3) Utility/Mixing Pumps, must be PVC Compatible, ~ 500 Gallons per Hour
• Assorted Plumbing Supplies
• Glass/Screen Lids for 90 Gallon Tank
• (3) Float Valves
• (3) Float Switches
• Auto Top off Unit
• 3/4" Wye Check Valve
• Any other donations that may be of use

 

[frostyjay1]

Dude your missing all the test kits to check the levels of what your planning to dose.

So I just got done drafting the request letter for the equimpment, and along with it, the list of required supplies. Now obviously, I'm hoping to get a lot of the major supplies brand new direct from the manufacturer (Vortechs, Radions, etc.), but if anyone here has anything off of the list that they'd be willing to donate, I'll do all within my power to turn that into a tax credit for you.

Shoot me a PM if you can help; thanks!

- Ben

 

[Funlad3]

Adding test kits to the list now, Jay! Good catch, sir!


And a Refractometer too, of course!