Wednesday, 12 November 2014
Getting the Tank Ready
The Seaquaria Team were in the school on Monday, November 10, to begin setting up our sea tank for the year. They put in the gravel bottom, water, some algae (seaweeds) and started all of the systems. They put some animals in as well - plumose anemones, tiny sea snails and barnacles. We checked on the systems today, and everything was fine except our hydrometer seems to be broken and we will need a new one. If all of the systems look good by the end of the week, the team will put in the rest of our critters. Our beautiful sail fine sculpin from last year will be coming back!!!
Tuesday, 23 September 2014
Advice for the 2014-2015 Marine Teams
This is some advice from last year's marine teams to keep the sea critters in the tank healthy.
1. Feed the critters frozen krill twice a week. The frozen krill should be about the size of a 1 cm square cube. The frozen krill is kept in the staff room freezer.
2. Keep the glass clean using the magnetic cleaner. Put one side inside the tank and one side outside the tank move it around the glass. Be careful not to bump into any of the creatures clinging to the glass. WARNING: Do not get your fingers caught between the two magnets. Leave some algae on the glass for the algae eaters.
3. Don't tap on the glass because it disturbs and scares the animals especially if they are new and just getting used to the tank.
4. Ten degrees celsius is the best temperature but anywhere between 9 to 14 degrees is okay.
5. Use the hydrometer to find out the salinity of the water. That means how much salt is dissolved in the water. It should be around 27 or 28 parts per thousand. When you empty the hydrometer, make sure the water lands back in the tank. Rinse the hydrometer with plain water - NO SOAP. The hydrometer is in the cupboard underneath the tank.
6. Make sure that bubbles are coming from the oxygen flow pipe, and that the water flow is going. You will know the water flow is going because some of the plants will be moving.
7. Make sure the light comes on during the day and turns off at night.
8. Complete the daily check list of jobs and make sure to record good observations every day.
8. If you have any problems or questions contact Iain at World Fisheries trust. He helped us to find our that our nudibranch had spawned last year.
1. Feed the critters frozen krill twice a week. The frozen krill should be about the size of a 1 cm square cube. The frozen krill is kept in the staff room freezer.
2. Keep the glass clean using the magnetic cleaner. Put one side inside the tank and one side outside the tank move it around the glass. Be careful not to bump into any of the creatures clinging to the glass. WARNING: Do not get your fingers caught between the two magnets. Leave some algae on the glass for the algae eaters.
3. Don't tap on the glass because it disturbs and scares the animals especially if they are new and just getting used to the tank.
4. Ten degrees celsius is the best temperature but anywhere between 9 to 14 degrees is okay.
5. Use the hydrometer to find out the salinity of the water. That means how much salt is dissolved in the water. It should be around 27 or 28 parts per thousand. When you empty the hydrometer, make sure the water lands back in the tank. Rinse the hydrometer with plain water - NO SOAP. The hydrometer is in the cupboard underneath the tank.
6. Make sure that bubbles are coming from the oxygen flow pipe, and that the water flow is going. You will know the water flow is going because some of the plants will be moving.
7. Make sure the light comes on during the day and turns off at night.
8. Complete the daily check list of jobs and make sure to record good observations every day.
8. If you have any problems or questions contact Iain at World Fisheries trust. He helped us to find our that our nudibranch had spawned last year.
Monday, 22 September 2014
Welcome to a new school year!
School is back in session! Soon our Seaquarium will be filled with critters and plants found in our surrounding Salish Sea. Stay tuned for details!
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