Tank Arrived today

[James Hammett]

GUYS I NEED HELP!!!! Our reef in the classroom is going well , however read below. The district has decided to turn off ALL Air Conditioners to building this summer. It is currently 72 degrees in building with AC on and tank is running at 76.5 with a fan blowing directly on it to col ambient air. How can I keep this tank temp in safe range? I can not afford a chiller with my classroom budget and the wife says we dont have it i our budget at this time either. Is there a cheaper option, or another way to cool the tank?

To: Administration, Building Principals and Directors

From: Jim Hagan, Energy Manager

Subject: Summer Set Back & Shutdowns

Date: May 17, 2018



We are going into the biggest energy saving time of the year. With your help and that of your staff, we can make it more successful. The attached list will help in deciding what needs to be turned off. Summer School and other activities, we will work around. Make sure Mike Rickenbrode knows your buildings’ Summer Schedule. We are also shutting down all kitchens except the one at Maize Middle School. Thanks for your help and have a great summer!



cc: Dr. Chad Higgins, Richard Bell & Mike Rickenbrode

SUMMER SET BACK & SHUTDOWNS CHECKLIST:

___ Air conditioners turned off

___ All hot water heaters off

___ All except one water fountain unplugged (where possible)

___ Ceiling fans off

___ Hot water circulation pumps turned off

___ Boilers run at minimum for humidity control

___ Pilot lights turned off on all stoves

___ Lights off in unoccupied areas

___ All unnecessary equipment shut off: radios, audio visual, classroom and

printers and copiers, clocks, microwaves unplugged, coffee makers, TV, VCR

and all classroom refrigerators should be unplugged. Please clean your

refrigerators and prop the door open. Thanks.

___ Promethean boards, VCRs, DVD players should be unplugged where feasible.

___ All computers, computer monitors and speakers turned off

___ All exhaust fans off

___ All kitchen equipment turned off, including unused freezers, coolers, ice

machines and booster heaters.



Thanks for your help,

Jim Hagan

Energy Manager

 

[JBKReef]

Yikes... thats a tough call.

Can you move the tank home for summer?

 

[James Hammett]

NO, I don't think I could transport the tank home and back with out upsetting and stressing everything. Not sure it would survive the move there and back.

 

[LBReefer]

What about moving the tank to the district offices for the summer? I imagine they will continue to have ac ... and you’ll get some additional attention.

 

[JBKReef]

Maybe check to see if the school district has any portable AC units you could keep in teh same room as the tank?

 

[James Hammett]

Her is an update picture of our tank we just passed the 3 month point went wet on 2/12/2018....


As for moving the tank how would I do that? Rocks are not glued together. Everything would fall and crash around....

I asked my principal again this morning to buy a chiller for us waiting for a response

 

[JBKReef]

Everything is looking good!

There are a bunch of write ups about moving tanks, but the baseline is buckets buckets and more buckets. Depending how far you would be taking the tank batter powered airaitors would be needed. Granted they're cheap and always good to have on hand in case of a power outage.

 

[Fudsey]

You could put everything in 5gal buckets with lids to transport it. Empty the tank down to a couple inches of water and then move it. You would need multiple buckets but it could be done.

Tank is looking great ! !

 

[James Hammett]

Thanks the portable ac Idea is something I hadn't thought of. Moving the tank scares me, but in the end Ill do that before letting it die here. My kids have worked too har d to let this crash

 

[James Hammett]

Will read about moving tanks my concern is the cycle restarting and killing everything. and getting it to look like it does now again. Me and my students have until next Wed to find a solution ACs go off on the 24th. I hadn't considered moving the tank really want that to be a last option.

 

[James Hammett]

although taking it home would make all summer maintenance a lot easier to handle

 

[Tiger-Paws]

Sir, the best option would be to break the tank down and take it home for the summer.

5 gallon buckets, and battery powered aerators for the move.

As a suggestion you may want to send/give a letter to the school admin stating your intentions and the need to save the livestock along with your stated intentions of taking the tank and livestock home for the summer and that you will return it within 2 weeks after the start of the school year.

Just to provide some legal cover for yourself.

 

[Mikedawg]

If you can't move tank, I would prop open the lid using a piece of pvc pipe or at least leave the feeding door open with some plastic mesh covering the opening. I did this a while back when I had a Cube and it made a few degrees difference.
How hot do you think the classroom will be this summer?

 

[James Hammett]

yes that is my other concern this tank does not belong to me. It was bought by the school for the students. A letter of intentions is a good idea if I have to take it home.

 

[James Hammett]

I would expect it to get into mid to high 80's in the classroom with AC off

 

[James Hammett]

ok question I just had an IDEA... I have a 10 gallon fully cycled tank we were just putting pieces of the kenya tree in as it dropped them. what are the odds if i move that tank home
1.that my coral and fish would be ok in the smaller tank for a few months.
2. that the beneficial bacteria in the 32 will survive temps and the time with no live stock in tank.

 

[Fudsey]

Do you have any rock in the 10 gal. tank? You will need it to house enough bacteria.

 

[James Hammett]

I have about 10 pounds that has been in a tank for months staying alive

 

[James Hammett]

I found this for $25 supposed to have a small water leak. A local reefer says he thinks we can fix it and get a few months out of it to get me through the summer. By next summer I will be able to buy a new one. School Budget Reups in Sep.

 

[Fudsey]

If you can fix it or get it fixed, that's a good deal