Setting Up Tank In A Primary School

[mark.w.jones]

I am currently reinstating a 4 foot 33 US gallon tank donated to our school. It is currently set up with only one inhabitant. A 3" bristle nose.

Is there anything you think I need to consider when setting this up, bearing in mind that aroud 500 children between 4 - 11 years olds attend the school and that is set up in the entance hall?

It is currently on a cabinet with the children able to look through from both sides.

Stocking wise I think I need something colourful and lively that doesn't hide all the time and that will cope well with tapping fingers and noses pressed up to the glass.

My current idea is to go for.

5 Boesemani Rainbows
2 Gouramis (Species undecided as yet)
15 Amano Shrimp
1 Bristle Nose
1 or 2 other catfish or bottom feeders

Any ideas?

 

[jimw13uk]

What about a mixed shoal of tetras - Lemon, Rummynose, Serpea etc.. - see I have those and even though my shoal is 17 they are lovely to watch and always doing something. And they are of a decent size so nothing else will try and eat them.

I'd go for a Dwarf Gourami (nice blue red colurs) or
maybe not go typical tropical and go for an African Cichlid tank - lots of blues,yellows,reds available their to make a striking entrance hall center piece

 

[Miss Wiggle]

who will be maintaining it and how often?

bear in mind if it's going to be maintained by someone who doesn't know as much as you and may be slack in maintenance sometimes it's best to understock to allow for it.

i'd go for a shoal of cories, they're just so silly i can imagine kids loving them

depending which gourami's you go for be careful with the amano's.... if there's not enough cover for them they may become a tasty snack!

 

[jakeroberts]

We have a 4 foot tank in our science room at highschool and it has platys and bristlenose plecs

 

[screamingdonkey]

Stocking wise I think I need something colourful and lively that doesn't hide all the time and that will cope well with tapping fingers and noses pressed up to the glass.

My current idea is to go for.

5 Boesemani Rainbows
2 Gouramis (Species undecided as yet)
15 Amano Shrimp
1 Bristle Nose
1 or 2 other catfish or bottom feeders

Any ideas?

The only thing I would say with your selection is that, in my experience, gouramis can be quite skittish towards sudden movements - especially when they're smaller.

And, although I'm sure you've thought about this already, maybe a sign on each side of the tank to say - "Please do not tap the glass. Stress kills fish" - or something similar.

Good luck with the project

 

[mark.w.jones]

Right, I think I've kind of made my mind up. I'm gonna lose the gouramis I think. Probably too sensitive and didn't realise they'd eat my shrimp! Glad I asked now.

I think I want to stick with the rainbows. Thet're beautifully coloured and will really capture the kids imaginations + are probably something they've not seen at Pets At Home before.

So:

5 Boesemani Rainbows
1 Bristlenose
A small school of cories (Not sure which species to go for yet)
15 Amano Shrimp.

Any further pointers?



ps I teach at the school Miss Wiggle and will maintain it on a daily basis + will come in during holidays to make sure all is well.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

i'd then go for a small group of some smaller shoaling fish, harlequins or something like that bcause as it is now only the bosemani's are mid-top water swimmers, everything else is on the ground and I think it would look more colourful and appealing to the kids with more movement and species in the tank. Providing it's well maintained I think the stocking can take it.

aah I didn't know you were a teacher (god i bet this forum particularly the beginners section is like a busman's holiday for you!)