Since announcing my plans to the class about our build, I have been in search of the most important part to get started. Our budget is very tight. We wanted a large aquarium because, for one, it is easier to maintain a larger tank as far as water parameters and because of the ease of viewing for larger classes. We agreed a 90 gallon tank would be a good size to accommodate both.
After looking at prices, I knew we were in trouble from the get go. This was going to put a huge dent in our small budget. I decided to go out on a limb and had my wife put a post out on our local rummage sale sites for an aquarium (yes, I drag her into my projects). This worked.
We happened to hear back about a 90 gallon aquarium for sale. I contacted the seller and we agreed this would be a good home for this tank. After meeting her, I learned that this tank stood in the lobby of the Ramkota Hotel in Pierre for many years. It housed a Piranha named Noah. This tank has literally been viewed by thousands of people with a well known fish to our town...now it is going on to provide our youth with an education that does not present itself everyday to students in this part of the country.
It was very dirty, but with a little love and a lot of elbow grease, I have it looking very good. We are going to reinforce the stand a little and our district grounds and maintenance crew is going to replace a few outlets with GFCI to accommodate us to make it safe for all involved. We are definitely headed in the right direction!
After looking at prices, I knew we were in trouble from the get go. This was going to put a huge dent in our small budget. I decided to go out on a limb and had my wife put a post out on our local rummage sale sites for an aquarium (yes, I drag her into my projects). This worked.
We happened to hear back about a 90 gallon aquarium for sale. I contacted the seller and we agreed this would be a good home for this tank. After meeting her, I learned that this tank stood in the lobby of the Ramkota Hotel in Pierre for many years. It housed a Piranha named Noah. This tank has literally been viewed by thousands of people with a well known fish to our town...now it is going on to provide our youth with an education that does not present itself everyday to students in this part of the country.
It was very dirty, but with a little love and a lot of elbow grease, I have it looking very good. We are going to reinforce the stand a little and our district grounds and maintenance crew is going to replace a few outlets with GFCI to accommodate us to make it safe for all involved. We are definitely headed in the right direction!