MaeganWink

Someone donated to me a 24 gallon nano cube made by JBJ in 2005. Problem is, they didn't donate the pump or the ballast for the lights. The pump is an easy fix, but I've been having issues with the ballast. I tried to order a replacement, but when it came in, the female receiving part did not match the male pins. It had the right NUMBER of pins, but not the right configuration. I've been searching for any other type of ballast that would fit, but I'm having no luck. I tried emailing JBJ about it, but I'm not hopeful; they never replied to my last inquiry months ago when I first ran into the ballast issue. Anyone have any ideas on what I could do? I'm trying to avoid buying a whole new lighting system, since that would obviously eat a lot more of my class budget than most replacement ballasts or parts.

I'm going to try to get my students to do upsidedown jellies this year. Supposedly you can convert over a regular tank for those, unlike most jellies that need the specialized tank. I'd love to see what you learn if you give it a try! I just definitely do not have it in the budget to get a specialized jelly tank for the school.

Is it just the clown in there, no coral or anemones or anything? It's certainly something easy enough to take on. I have a happy pair of clowns in a similar setup in one of my classroom tanks, though they also have a bubble tip and some coral. Where are you located?

One of the school tanks donated to me a few years ago was a Red Sea 250. The lights on it went out a couple of weeks ago and I assumed it was the bulbs...but I got new bulbs in today and nothing. The hood fans still run, as do the tiny moonlights. So I'm assuming it must be the ballasts... Now I am NOT a light or equipment expert, far from it. Should I look into getting new ballasts and try replacing them? Is it something a beginner diy person can figure out? The tank does not have any coral or anemones or anything in it currently, so it is not something I have to rush to fix necessarily.

That video is so amazing, thank you so much for sharing! Also I love reading about this process, so I look forward to further updates!

@mogurnda I didn't know urchins eat hair algae?

My mother thought she was helping when she was visiting my classroom today and washed my skimmer with soap while we were moving the tank it goes to. I've put it to soak in a half-and-half mixture of white vinegar and R/O water for now but...anything else I should be doing with it? Luckily the system has nothing in it right now and won't for a few weeks, but I'd hate to have lingering soap kill things introduced once we get it going again...

The two smaller tanks are running at about 80 degrees right now...I try to keep them at about 76-77. They do both have hoods with lights built in.

Hey everyone, I wanted to know if anyone had any good tips for cooling smaller tanks during the warm months? My large classroom system has a chiller, but I wouldn't be able to buy a chiller for every single tank I have, especially the really small ones. Right now all I've come up with is frozen RO water in the smaller systems to bring the temperatures back down... EDIT: And yes, I know ice cubes will lower the salinity. I've just been doing that instead of a top off while I freeze some water bottles instead.

I don't know why it uploaded those sideways. Here, I cropped it. Still there, doesn't seem to be doing anything really.

Had to move the rock closer to get a better picture, but I managed it!

Saw this thing in one of my school tanks this morning...have no idea what it is. Looks like a white fuzzy Q-tip end on a flexible stalk. I've included the best pictures I could manage. I think it's pale coloration make sit hard for my camera to focus on it. And yes, I know I have bubble algae and aptasia in there. My never ending battle!

I honestly would love to borrow him! Two of my school tanks have GHA that I've been battling. Do you have a "rental fee" for him? xD

They are back to normal now for some reason. I'm putting in a new skimmer today too. At this point I'm stumped. I'll keep a close eye on them.