New School Tank Went In!

[Ron Sower]

Went up to North Bend today to help move a 75 gallon tank into the elementary school. Our Champion there is Phil Lacefield.  Phil is a pretty interesting fellow.  He is our auctioneer in the club, wears a Utilikilt all the time, heads up our participation with the Pet Expo, and had his newborn son, who is now 15 months old, signed up as a GSAS member soon after birth.  One good part about this is Phil lives a block from the school and will be there often to assist and teach.  I finally have 2 guys now that are taking charge of their schools...!

Now if I can find someone in the club to take over the 3 schools, or at least 2 of them, that I started even before I moved them into the Philanthropy program.

If your clubs aren't doing this, you might want to look into it!  It's a hoot!

[Mugwump]

Good job guys....that's great work that you're doing

[ilroost]

great work!!

[Rjb3]

I'm involved in a school project myself. A 240 gallon at a middle school. It's not too demanding.

[Mugwump]

Nice Bob....wow, a 240.....

[ilroost]

Very nice bob
I have 12 grangkids, if i get them all together and sit them in a row will you come set up a 240 here ? lol

[Rjb3]

A friend of mine donated the tank to the school in memory of his daughter after she was fatally injured in a motorcycle accident. She was in seventh grade at the time and always talked about being a marine biologist.

The original set up was salt water. They went through a lot of expensive fish until my friend put on the brakes. It sat empty for a while and the tank was offered to me. I didn't have room for a large tank so I offered to help with a new freshwater set up at the school. It's been runnin' ever since.

[Rjb3]

There are benches by this tank. Come on up.

[ilroost]

That is so great of you!!
When i retire and get off the road(truck driver). i would like to do something like that at the local school

[Ron Sower]

Hey Bob,
I'm glad to hear that! What fish do you have in there?  Planted?  On your own or thru a club? (sounds like on your own).  Does the PTA allocate some monies for its maintenance?

[Rjb3]

We started with a South American theme and heavily planted. No money for budget. We did recover some cost, but the rest was a donation. I head up the cleaning team. LOL It's got a 30 gallon sump system with two Rio 600 gal per hour pumps. Keeps everything squeaky clean.

We switched to Malawi cichlids. Much easier. There are a few plecos, cory catfish, and a couple Hillstream loaches as well. The tank attracts a lot of attention both from staff and students.

[Mugwump]

Bob, no room for a 240 ...mercy, mercy....get that little house in your backyard cleaned out....LOL.....or move the TV....

[Ron Sower]

Yeah, Bob, the Africans are great!  Active, bright, and no plants to worry with. I have them in 2 of the school tanks! 

[Rjb3]

Yep. It attracts lots of attention. The janitors told me they eat their lunch watching the fish.

I didn't mean to temporarily hijack your thread, but I'd like to say, if anyone gets a chance to be involved in a school tank, Do it!

[Ron Sower]

You're not hijacking it, Bob....You're expanding it!!!   Anyone else out there doing something similar?