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Post by colliermt on Aug 18, 2011 10:33:34 GMT -6
Hi everyone. I am a special education teacher working in Sumner County at an alternative school and I am interested in starting an aquarium for my classroom. I have used the site donorschoose.org with success before and this year I am hoping to buy materials for an aquarium through it. However, I have little to no knowledge about the materials, plants, gravel, or fish I need. Any help would be appreciated. It will be difficult for me to buy fish through the donorschoose website since they use a limited selection of sites to purchase from, so keep in mind that anything bought outside of donorschoose's sites must be really cheap. I would love to have an actual ecosystem to be able to teach the children symbiotic relationships and such. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!
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Post by colliermt on Aug 18, 2011 10:36:37 GMT -6
I also might be interested in accepting donations on equipment/materials if anybody has any suggestions on how to acquire such things. Thanks!
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Post by mruble on Aug 18, 2011 13:32:02 GMT -6
Welcome to the forum colliermt. We applaud your efforts and your interest in setting up an aquarium! Please be patient with us as we will get back to you concerning your request.
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Post by jon carman on Aug 18, 2011 13:46:58 GMT -6
if you get a tank, i will give you african cichlids
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Post by davidtcb1 on Aug 18, 2011 14:50:26 GMT -6
I have a bunch of fake plants/decorations that I'd be willing to donate. I live in Hendersonville.
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Post by ree123 on Aug 20, 2011 21:20:07 GMT -6
WELCOME colliermt. See Your PM and e-mail from me.
Continue to post here your needs and your budget and we will have more folks who will see your posts and respond. I have several items you could piece together if need be to get a tank up and running, but no spare tanks to part with at present.
Keep your eyes on Craigslist also. Sometimes a good deal can be had from folks there.
Don't buy until seen though. Folks can think they know what size of tank they have or waht supplies, yet be mistaken, so be sure you know what you are buying if outside our club members.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Soooo Glad you have arrived. We hope you continue to post and be a part of our growing group of hobbyists !!!
Rick Easterly
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Post by colliermt on Aug 22, 2011 10:08:05 GMT -6
Thank you guys so much! I'm still trying to piece together several options from other sites. I have been communicating with a guy about starting a planted aquarium. He seems to think a 30 gallon tank would be ideal. He also suggested getting a CO2 injection system. I think this would be cool not only because it is good for the plants in the tank but also so that I can teach the children about photosynthesis and chemical reactions within a water environment.
I appreciate all of your offers for donations. I think i am going to use donorschoose.org to get the main tank. There is also a biological supply company available to me through donorschoose, but I have no clue which plants and fish to buy. As soon as I get that stuff locked down, I will let you all know what parts or fish/plants I might be interested in.
It's nice to know I have some local support. I will keep you all posted as far as the items you offered to donate. Thank you again!!!
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Post by jon carman on Aug 22, 2011 11:45:56 GMT -6
how much experience do you have?
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Post by colliermt on Aug 22, 2011 12:07:30 GMT -6
Very little to zero. I had an aquarium growing up but it was not a planted one by any means. I was responsible for cleaning and caring for it, so I know how to do the basics.
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Post by jon carman on Aug 22, 2011 12:36:48 GMT -6
i am sure a lot of people would disagee, but i would start with fish and simple plants and no co2. then step up after a few mont
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Post by davidtcb1 on Aug 22, 2011 12:42:33 GMT -6
I wouldn't disagree with that at all.
I'm not a planted tank expert by any means, but I have seen and read about a lot of planted tanks that do just fine without the co2 unit. It's one of those things that can only help, but I don't think you'll fail by not having one. Do some research though. And if you wanted to add one later after you are re-acquainted with the hobby and everything is established, you can always add it then.
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Post by colliermt on Aug 22, 2011 12:52:07 GMT -6
Honestly the CO2 doesn't really scare me. I found an article online about how to make a DIY one using yeast, a 2 liter bottle, and tubing. I'm kind of excited about it. I just want to make sure I have all the right stuff before I begin. I guess I'm still in the listing materials phase right now.
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Post by jon carman on Aug 22, 2011 12:58:06 GMT -6
it can cause ph swings if you arent carefull, if you get the diy project going take pics and post so we can check it out.
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Post by davidtcb1 on Aug 22, 2011 13:11:25 GMT -6
Cool...where is the school?
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