lf Posted December 28, 2010 Report Share Posted December 28, 2010 Hi I am hoping to set up a small classroom tank to show my children what lives in the local streams. It is only going to be for about 10 weeks and will all go back into my stream. I am wondering what I can put in it. I have two spare AR126 tanks to use. Room has air con. Would love to have a koura in one tank, but not sure if this is a good idea due to the size of the tank. Any suggestions would be welcome. I am hoping to set it up in the next two weeks so that it is looking good for the start of term. Thanks in advance for your ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waterlogged Posted December 28, 2010 Report Share Posted December 28, 2010 i don't think you can put them back after they have been taking from the wild Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted December 28, 2010 Report Share Posted December 28, 2010 Would love to have a koura in one tank, but not sure if this is a good idea due to the size of the tank. You're right there. AR126 are very small aquariums. Hopefully Stella jumps onto this and can give you some advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted December 28, 2010 Report Share Posted December 28, 2010 he hardest part maybe ensuring you keep the tank cool for the 10 weeks it is set up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted December 29, 2010 Report Share Posted December 29, 2010 there is a book available on keeping natives in tanks that may be of help viewtopic.php?f=41&t=49109 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lf Posted December 29, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2010 Thanks... yes I agree about trying to keep it cool. Am thinking that this needs to be built into the learning in the classroom and the children come up with innovative ways to keep it cool (ie: daily ice cubes) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted December 29, 2010 Report Share Posted December 29, 2010 good to see you expanding their minds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueether Posted January 1, 2011 Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 Bullies and (freshwater) shrimps would be good starters I would think. I would think that the AR126s would be too small for any of the galaxiid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted January 1, 2011 Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 Maybe someone up your way might be willing to loan you a bigger tank for the amount of time you will require it if you have the classroom space. This sort of thing is great with children and really does interest them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spoon Posted January 1, 2011 Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 perhaps u could turn the air con down to 18 or lower then the temp issues would be solved Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted January 1, 2011 Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 Classrooms have air con these days??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spoon Posted January 1, 2011 Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 must be a modern school i just remember we had windows to open or a coal fired radiator heater Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zev Posted January 1, 2011 Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 Yup, Miss Nine's school does - got rid of the boiler room and turned it into the sports shed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted January 1, 2011 Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 When I started school we had a pot bellied stove in the middle of the room :roll: :-? I would think the tank would need to be kept more 15C than 18C though? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stella Posted January 2, 2011 Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 What are the actual dimensions of the tank? When keeping natives, there are two critical measurements: ground area and volume. They are (mostly) not mid-water swimming, so need a large ground area, and a larger volume means a more stable temperature. If you are stuck with a small tank, what about doing a critter tank? There are a few threads here now about doing pond-critter tanks, or you could do a stream critter tank. Kids love bug and these tanks are seriously fascinating. With the stream-critter tank, you can also add in lessons about metamorphosis etc, watching the mayflies hatch, how things breathe underwater, food webs. With the air con, is this also on during the weekend? Afternoons? 18 degrees would be fine. Get a thermometer that logs the maximum and minimum temperatures and leave it for a week. You want the tank for 10 weeks, is this to fit with a specific topic or something? If you have more freedom it could be great to do a critter tank in the summer months, then convert it to fish during winter. One advantage is that it will be somewhat established before the fish arrive. Include the kids in the setting up of the tank - take them to a stream, give them nets, buckets and tell them how to catch things. Waterlogged does have a point though: technically you do need a permit to release fish, including putting native ones back to where they came from. I suggest you talk to your local DOC office. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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