School Tanks

[BarbG]

I am setting up a 10 gallon in my son's grade one classroom. I have decided on 4 male Mickey Mouse platys, 2 female mollys and a small BN (I realize I may have to take him out when he gets too big but I want a bottom cleaning crew). It will have 2 HOB filters for 10 gal each and plastic plants.

I know that some of you (Melody) have experience with aquariums in classrooms. Do you have any advice for me? This will be the first time I have done this. I figure that since I am not allowed anymore tanks at home, I will fill other people's spaces!

Thanks
Barb

[Melody]

Good 4 U! This thread (http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4688) should get you going in the right direction. The tank is a bit heavily stocked unless all of the fish are small - maintenance at a school is not fun...lol.

I have had kids kill a tank of snails in my Son's classroom (lovely parenting job people - you're raising some fine serial killers there!:rolleyes: ), so precautions need to be taken in regards to access. Food has to be kept out of reach too.

Otherwise, do up a pretty platy info sheet, mine some fish printables & crafts from the internet and have fun! At that age it's seed-planting. If it's fun, they think it's wonderful, so keep it fun and all will be well. :yes:

[Pamelajo]

I am hoping to fill one at Steph's old school.. It is in the principals office and was empty last year. I have contacted him about putting in some Amecas.

[GaryofMontreal]

You have to plan for a tight lid - there are sometimes a few kids who will do harmful things. I've removed coins, bottle caps, pull tabs and geometry sets from fishtanks at schools.
This brings electrical safety into focus. That has to be considered, very seriously, especially at elementary.
Keep the food very high up. Trust me on that.
Most schools turn the heat really low at night. A cheap heater won't take it. You're better with cool tolerant fish for winter. I find Goodeids excellent, as there's an environmental message in them, and they like fluctuating temperatures.
Stock very lightly. My school tanks went with 4 fish per 10 gallon.
All that being said, I'm looking forward to working with other teachers in my high school setting. We have a bunch of tanks to play with. I'm looking at Ameca this year, along with Xenotoca.
Last year's Xenotoca eiseni are in the school pond. I couldn't believe how big they were when they waddled by me yesterday. The females looked like 4 inch fish.

[Melody]

This brings electrical safety into focus. That has to be considered, very seriously, especially at elementary.


:wideeyed: I've completely missed this everytime I promote tanks in schools - thanks for mentioning it!

[BarbG]

I set up the tank today and had a blast. It looks really good and the teacher is thrilled. The first conversation we had was electrical safety. I have two little kids and I manage the safety program in a foundry so I am big on safety.

The heater is from the 20 gal set up so it is bigger than it needs to be. I will keep an eye on it as the weather gets cooler.

She will be the only one that can feed them and we talked about keeping fingers out of the tank (you never know what a 6 year old has on their hands:Eeewww:

I want to do another one............and another one.....


B

[CACAdmin]

That's awesome. Kids can learn so much from the experience of having a tank in the classroom.

[BarbG]

I have now convinced both my sisters (who are in education) to put fish tanks in their classroom & office. This is in addition to the one I started for my kids teacher.

Given how addictive this hobby is, does that make me a pusher?

[Melody]

Facilitator at most :wink: . Good for you!