Mr. McQ's Science Lab Tanks - Ecole Secondaire Notre Dame High School, Red Deer

[dunl]

Hi all,

I'll get some pictures going once I bring in a camera. I had an idea last fall that it would be a great thing to bring in a saltwater tank for my Science 20 students for our Biology unit. I started a poll here:

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=69689

But then, well....you know....MTS. :D

We now have :

- an 85g clownfish/apitasia/snail/hermit/peppermint/snowflake tank with a goby that NEEDS to live downstairs in the sump (not my idea, he just likes overflow rides daily until I give up and leave him there)
- a 12g cube mantis tank
- a 30g undefined tank

The kids are excited, and love coming in to check out what might be new or a recent addition. It was great to be able to explain the Nitrogen cycle and have them actually watch it happen, go over climatic factors such as lighting and temperature, propogation, mutations and adaptations....the possibilities are endless.

I'll try to keep things updated, but the current plan is to turn the 85g into a predator tank for the rest of the year or at the end of the summer in prep for next year. I have permission to have a lionfish if I make a canopy to lock down the tank.

Special thanks to everyone who has either donated items or equipment for the students, or given a discout on other items....they're very appreciative of this learning opportunity. :D

[RedCoralOnlineStore]

Awesome Mr. McQ!! I think it's a fantastic learning tool! Interesting and educational! Love to see some pics! :mrgreen:

[Delphinus]

That's really cool! What a great way to tie it all together.

[toytech]

Fish tanks at school . now thats seriously cool . Though you could have been nice and just given them crack because i hear its less expensive and way less addictive :biggrin: .

[Ian]

LOL
I put a tank in my classroom "for my students" or maybe to aid with my own MTS issues Now is a clown tank and mantis tank and a 50 gallon getting preped for the classroom. Kids love them and all I have done is increase my MTS issues and decrease my pocket book significantly.

[dunl]

Pictures....everyone like pictures. Here's the double mantis setup:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1db37b3127ccefd74d0867f7000000030O08Tbt3LZoD28-BA/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

12g mantis tank (pretty spartan)
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1db37b3127ccefd74f1b03fce00000030O08Tbt3LZoD28-BA/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

And mantis pictures. I am thinking:
1)viridis - 12g
2)different viridis - left double setup
3)female chiragra - right double setup
4) the same female chiragra

But not really sure. The "chiragra" used to be a dark green with reddish underneath, but after molting a week and a half ago, it is more of a pinkish, white-spotted colour....no real green showing.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1db37b3127ccefd745c99fe1900000030O08Tbt3LZoD28-BA/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1db37b3127ccefd75e5121f2a00000030O08Tbt3LZoD28-BA/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1db37b3127ccefd74ce00fec900000030O08Tbt3LZoD28-BA/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1db37b3127ccefd755059de9300000030O08Tbt3LZoD28-BA/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

[dunl]

Temp Trigger tank:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1db37b3127ccefd7413cabef500000030O08Tbt3LZoD28-BA/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/


85g tank at the front of the class.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1db37b3127ccefd754e74deb100000030O08Tbt3LZoD28-BA/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

[bignose]

Off topic but I was in the first graduating class of this school and unfortunately there was no salty tanks then. Good luck with the tanks.

[whatcaneyedo]

How long have you been able to keep peppermint shrimp with the snowflake moray? I've always wanted to have a shrimp with my snowflake but I'm certain it would just become a quick meal. I'm guessing it must be a pretty young/small eel otherwise those other fish would probably get eaten too.

[lorenz0]

a goby that NEEDS to live downstairs in the sump (not my idea, he just likes overflow rides daily until I give up and leave him there)


I think its in their nature. Mine used to do it all the time. Well it was a blenny. Common, we all love waterslides

[dunl]

Yes, it is a fairly young eel. Most of those animals will be moving out of that tank in the next little bit to leave room for the eel and the trigger to go in there. Maybe a couple of other preds.

[dunl]

And today, we have two four-stripe damsels breeding in the corner of the tank. :D