Personally and this is none of my business but a smaller easier setup to maintain would be better. If they give up on the yearly costs to maintain. And 50 grand could do a lot more good for kids with new equipment for treating.

Don't get me wrong I think it's a great idea the kids would definitely love it. I just worry for the long term with equipment failure and tank crashes. I do hope it works out for you tho


Sent from my porcelain aquarium

This is a great idea; a tank like that would be relaxing and keep their attention for quite some time.

As expensive and challenging as building and stocking a tank like this is, it's really the easy and inexpensive part. Operating and maintaining it is the real kicker. The hospital will need long term commitment from someone they can finger for all aspect of the tanks' care. Electrical, water, salt, food, etc. all need to be accounted for as well.

From the hospital's perspective, this could only be considered if all those factors were suitable accounted for -and that's going to be difficult.

I hope this pans out but don't be discouraged if it doesn't. Bureaucracy is almost as powerful as the ocean itself.

I really like the idea as we all know how amazing and relaxing tanks can be.
however, I don't know how practical it will be.
I am not trying to speak for the other stores in the city, but that is a huge investment in time and money for a fishstore to commit to if you are looking at it as a donation.
that is a lot of man hours to maintain a 600 gallon tank.
I would look at supporting it with some free fish or corals..but wouldn't consider taking this on personally as a store sponsor.
once again, a great idea if it comes to reality.
but a huge commitment on all sides.

Hi Neal.

Yes.yes. yes, we will need all the help we can get, We are going to work hard at this and I will carry most of the costs. My main concern is giving the kid something cool... not a boring tank.. we have all seen that in our doctor and dentist's offices.

What I am looking for is backing and financial support to push this. We are not looking for anything other than passionate tank enthusiasts.

We are open to any suggestions.

Tim

Thinking the same here. As wonderful of an idea as I think it is... it is just not practical and as some one stated the money could be used for new/or better equipment.

I wish you all the best with this.

Maybe an RSM250 would be a more practical sell to the Stollery? All in one, easier to maintain, smaller footprint,etc

As someone that spends way too much time in the Pediatric ICU, I know that 50k worth of equipment is a much greater donation than a reef tank. That equipment kept my daughter alive last month, which is much more important that spending it on a tank. Yes, a tank is nice and kids like looking at it for a few minutes, but the suggested RSM might be a better alternative. Just my opinion as a parent of a kid that spends too many days in the hospital.

+1 totally agree with you Brad. Also, while its a nice thought, the money would be way better spent on equipment.

FYI I've seen really cool 30g reef fish tanks, that I'm sure the children would find interesting to look at.

One concern I see is what if the tank blows out, who covers the damage and what happens God forbid someone gets hurt.

Def nice to see someone wanting to do so much but I agree that maybe the hospital would do better with the money towards things they desperately need.

I guess my question is why? Sure, it's an impressive undertaking, but are we trying to impress someone? I know that supplying suction catheters isn't as grandeur, but trust me, there's a shortage. More times than not, I've had to come home to get supplies that the hospital just didn't have. My daughter needed 8 dosing pumps and a ventilator, not to mention just one food supplement that's $1000/day to supply. 50k can feed kids like that for less than 2 months.
And without full time supervision, a 600g tank is going to look like a large version of that dentist's tank in no time at all. Anyone that has a large tank will tell you it's not a part time job to maintain.
Really, if your heart is in helping the kids, buy them a biocube and some suction catheters.