Smoothtriqueter

Let me start out by saying I hope this is the right spot for this thread; otherwise please move it wherever and I will follow. I have had FW setups in school growing up and never saw any salt water stuff. We were also never encouraged to mess with or touch anything in or near the tank. Well I have had my own FW and now have jumped into the marine world and would love to share my own education and enjoyment with others. My GF (not yet a WAMAS member) works with the Kennedy Krieger Institute. She does instructional therapy with children with autism. This condition is associated with heightened levels of stimulation, so colors, textures and sounds are a big part of their expression. She has spoken with the classroom teacher and they have agreed that if it isn't going to be too much care and if it is safe that a tank in the classroom would be okay. While at Aquaco for the social someone was purchasing a whole bunch of chocolate chip starfish, Sean so graciously explained that they were for a touch tank! My GF and I thought that it would be a great idea for her kids! The sound of running water (via HOB filtration) and the rubbery flesh of starfish to touch and observe; what could be better. I offered up my abilities right away and here I am on WAMAS. I have a few questions, a bunch of requests for items and just plain opening this up to hopefully fallow along with the tank and kids as it gets set up. First, as do many school setups, I need your help. WAMAS has been great to me as a member and I have seen some great dedication to the education programs. I have a short list of equipment that would be needed (if I have left something out that you think I may need for this please let me know): Equipment -10g or 15g tank -lid/light -HOB filter -Sand -LR -Heater -Would an air pump and stone be necessary? Livestock -3 or 4 Chocolate chip starfish -few snails (keep it clean and you can still touch a rough hard shell) That is all I have on my list for now (everything needed although I may be able to find an old tank at my parents house this weekend). Okay now because I am only a novice myself, calling all pros! I wanted to look into if there is a hardy enough, touch safe, easy care urchin? I know several are not poisonous just don't now the best choice for my project. I was also wondering if anyone knows if you can grow leathers under the lights that would come with a new 10g if bought at Petco; just the standard FW tank light! I figured a nice hardy leather would provide another texture and some more visual stimuli. That would be all that I would plan on putting in as I would not be able to visit it much and would need to instruct my GF on how to care (hopefully just feeding and water changes)! We both appreciate any help and will keep everyone updated on how the tank is and how the children are interacting with it, once set up!

Are they contagious between zoas? I just had a frag go down to what I think are pox and was wondering if I should be concerned for my other few zoa frags (not touching the almost dead frag just in the tank)?

My GF and I took a nice trip down to visit with gioNVA, the drive was very nice fall has set in quite well in NOVA I must say! Anyhow I hadn't gotten to see his full setup before and it was impressive to say the least! I have 2 frags from him (hammer and frogspawn) doing very well and just picked up my new RBTA and a red yuma ric! We got to see the mother colony for our frags and got a few ideas on setup. Thanks gioNVA for the hospitality and the great livestock! Sorry pictures to come later I had to run to work (Couldn't even stop in for BOGO at Aquaco and we drove right past it ) and will be here all night! But tomorrow is my tank day so I'll have lots of pics!!!

I work for a sandwich place and instead of buying 5g buckets I take the empty pickle buckets. It is an endless supply of buckets but all smell like pickles, even one I have been using for over a year for random stuff. I haven't had any issues (other than 3 month old tank issues)

Ok a few days ago we made a trip out to Scales and one of the Ocellaris clowns just caught our eye. We knew that we wanted to get two so we sat and watched.... and watched..... and watched. The one we knew we wanted seemed to be the most dominant in the tank, good! So we chose a friend that seemed to be the only one that she could stand. Hope all works out. The two damsels in the tank are being bullies but the clowns have found their spot and tend to stick together! MY TANK THREAD WITH THE NEW FISH!!!

THE NEW OCELLARIS CLOWNS!!! They seem to be getting along ok, after being forced to a corner together the first few days because of the two damsels they can still stand to be around each-other...... hopefully it lasts! RBTA to come tomorrow possibly! I have a few video clips of them but I have to go to work......hope this will do for now.

Thanks for all the encouraging info. I have a current USA dual satellite fixture, bulbs are weeks old. And the RBTA is apparently within the lineage from flowereseller! I cant wait, oh and an upgrade on lighting is going to happen, just waiting till I can afford!

Just wondering if it is at all possible to maintain a RBTA for any length of time under PC's? Assuming close to the top, good other H2O parameters, and a good amount of feeding.

Ok so as I promised here are a few new pics of the scaping and new fish! FTS in initial setup FTS 10/28/08 after scaping Old RS New RS Old LS New LS (See he new in the upper left!!!) Some Pics Traded Xenia Okay well look at the time............ok so much to look at that I will post the New fish tomorrow. But just because I said new fish! here you go just one to acclimate you to them!

haha looks like a frog! Nice GBTA shot. How have the SPS held up in the tank? Everything looks great!

Did some aquascaping and added some new fish! pics to come soon

Very Very nice! I love the RBTA shot! keep up the great work

I hadn't seen the orange spotted one before, very nice! Mine too has become best friends with the skunk cleaner, he is the only one that will sit long enough to get cleaned (two damsels wont stand for it)

Sorry to jump in on your thread but my skunk cleaner has had curly cue like antenna for like a week. One has even no lie tied into a knot! Is this a sign its about to molt or something more? It happened to my coral banded once too before she was eaten!

Very nice. I like the aquascaping, especially the right side.

Just think of the movie ops!

Submitter: Smoothtriqueter Location: My tank Camera: panasonic DMC-FX07 Subject: pom-pom crab

The zoas are nice. Whats going on with the GSP in the pic? And I agree I don't like blue legs either! You have really got me wanting to do the same to my 2.5! But I'm thinking touch tank for my GF classroom! Keep the pics coming!

very nice, I really like the elegans.

I have been by the store 2times now and must say am going to keep going! I hadn't met Sean the first time I was there but still found all the help quite good. During the social it was a bit crazy but I had everyone even Sean answering all my questions....Top notch in my book. Long drive from PG county in MD but well worth it!

Well the updates will keep coming! AQUACO social...... yeah! I had a great time and really didn't get to meet to many new faces, I did show up just after the rush. But I had a good time non the less and made it out with a few new friends and pieces of great coral. FTS 10/20/08 Day FTS 10/20/08 Blues NEW Aussie Elegance Coral

looks real nice. hope the zoas recover!

yeah he was a cool lookin fish!

more of a trip than run over!

So I now know how bad my lights were! Just replaced my Current USA 96w dual Satelite bulbs.....and oh what a difference new bulbs can make! FTS OLD BULBS FTS NEW BULBS So now that I have that somwhat under control (until I upgrade from PC to T5) I need to better my flow. What size (number) koralia is good for a 65g LPS softy (no sps) and how many?