Classroom Tank 29 Gallon

HI fish friends

I'm a classroom teacher and recently set up a 29 gallon freshwater tank! The kids love it! I attached some photos! I am having difficulty adjusting the tank due to the tap water.
So far I have
-2 algae eaters (I'm sure there's a name for them)
-6 neon tetra (I originally had 8 but 2 died )
-1 cardinal tetra (he came free with the neon tetra)
-I had a bristlenose plecto...but he died too

and a number of plants

My KH is at a 0....any suggestions? Or any other tips?

MY LFS is Monster Aquarium.

Here is my test strip

 

Hello there, I am new to fish keeping but what a great idea for the kiddos. What grade? If old enough they will be able to learn all about the nitrogen cycle as the tank cycles.( Is it already cycled or are you doing a fish in cycle?)

 

It's third grade! Yes, I read about the nitrogen cycle when I got to this forum Already cycled! But I did it for a weekend...not enough time??

 

I’m sure you are going to get lots of folks telling you this but you will want to invest in an API master test kit as the strips are really inaccurate. The main thing is your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate readings as ammonia and nitrite are toxic to the fish.
Good luck with your fish!

 

Just a weekend is generally not enough time to cycle. Was a source of ammonia added over weekend? Was all the equipment new when you set the tank up? Like was already mentioned it would be worth investing in the API master test kit

 

Well, the tank is most likely cycling with the current fish, so that's probably why some fish died. I think it is a good opportunity to teach about plant nutrition(Cause of the live plants) and the nitrogen cycle. The tank is not fully stocked, but I would recommend you leave it that way for a few weeks(3-4). After the cycle, you could ask about stocking.

 

Would the LFS be interested in donating some maintenance time (ie showing the kids how to do water changes, so they can take it on)? Or individual staff who are seeking careers in learning/education? Or are any fishlore members nearby who can provide hands-on help?
I have a son in grade 2, and I'm amazed at how much of the maintenance jargon/science he's absorbed. I hope you're planning on delegating a lot of the maintenance responsibility to the kids.
There's so much that a tank in the class can be used to teach: you can go beyond just fish and include arthropods (shrimp), and molluscs (snails), and plants; ethics and care of animals that rely on you for their health; nitrogen cycle; water conservation; carbon cycle... I'm getting excited just thinking about it all!!!

 

I would not think that your tank cycled in a weekend.
It takes time for the cycle to complete, if you put fish in as soon as you set up your tank then it is called a fish in cycle and you should have seen your ammonia go up first and then it being converted to nitrites and then lastly to nitrates . Your cycle is complete when you have multiple readings of 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and some nitrates. Under 40 is best. Until then you will need to be doing water changes to keep the ammonia and nitrites down or you will lose more fish. You need to add a dechlorinator such as seachem prime when you change your water.
As I said I am on my first 75 gallon tank and it took 6 weeks to cycle with fish in and I lost quite a few fish through my ignorance. I’m thinking that will be more of a problem for you as the kids will be watching every day and I’m sure some tender hearts will be broken by the fish dying

 

Also, I was just looking more closely at your pictures, and forgive me for asking this, but do you have a filter and a heater in the tank? All I can see is an airstone.

 

I love when teachers bring aquariums into the classroom! It’s such a great idea.

Love your set up, looks beautiful.

Someone correct me if I’m wrong but cardinals, like most tetras, are schooling fish. So a minimum of 5 would probably be best. However give it time to cycle through a little more like everyone else has said.

 

Keep us posted of your progress.

 

Wow thank you so much for all the responses!!

-I have a 200 watt heater running

• Aqueon 100106108 Pro Adjustable Heaters, 200 Watt

-Marineland ML90750 Magniflow Canister 220 Filter

-The cardinal was a stray in the bag of neon tetra...didn't intend to get it but I guess it came with the bunch...I guess I can get more when the cycle is done in a few weeks!
-I actually took half my class to the LFS and someone there talked to the kids about fish care and fish and recommended some things---such as a stress coat and better food.
-I put in water conditioner and a stress coat...what do you all recommend for ammonia?
-So far, the kids have done the water changes (with me supervising) and they also picked out the fish at the store and they also helped clean the substrate and the tank! They LOVE it!!
-I've had the tank for 2 weeks now...so maybe in another 2 weeks, I'll restock!

Thank you so much for all the tips and help!!! Will keep everyone updated!!

 

Aww we thank you on behalf of these kids for giving them this experience as they could also grow up and be fish keepers. As for ammonia use seachem prime it detoxify ammonia and nitrite and its quite cost effective as you only use a little bit every time

 

Welcome to FishLore!
You might find this helpful
FishLore's Free Freshwater Aquarium E-Book
Good luck!

 

So much to read!! Thank you Lucy!! This forum has been beyond helpful!!

 

Estheroo it looks like you've got this!
I'm curious, how are you handling costs? Out of your own pocket? Funds from school, or from board?
What is your plan come summertime? Will tank move up the grades with class, or will you start fresh next fall? I know in my son's school, afternoon temps in the classroom commonly go over 25c or 77F, so leaving the tank in the school over the summer might be unwise (I'm in the toronto area, so very similar climate/seasons to you).

 

The pleco is too big in my opinion anyways for the 29. The algae eaters may get a bit aggressive depending on species. The tank looks amazing. Thank you for passing the love of fish on to the next generation. I'm 14 and still precisely remember my grandpa getting me hooked on all things fish. It is a passion that I will carry for the rest of my life, and I love it when I can teach a full grown adult something new, or help a new member heal their sick fish.

 

Also make it over clear that you have an aquarium in the classroom. While I am not a teacher I have had too many teacher friends who had problems with tanks or classroom pets because someone brilliantly decided to spray pesticides or other chemicals over a weekend or classroom break.
Perhaps ask your administration and custodial staff if there is a policy or procedure. I say both because often written policy and actual procedure differ widely.

 

Estheroo it looks like you've got this!
I'm curious, how are you handling costs? Out of your own pocket? Funds from school, or from board?
What is your plan come summertime? Will tank move up the grades with class, or will you start fresh next fall? I know in my son's school, afternoon temps in the classroom commonly go over 25c or 77F, so leaving the tank in the school over the summer might be unwise (I'm in the toronto area, so very similar climate/seasons to you).

The tank I had on hand, some stuff I paid out of pocket, some things I was able to have funded through donors choose. My principal helped pay for some of the fish.
During the summer, we have a summer program that runs and the kids/teacher help care for the tank then. We have central a/c in the school so temp. isn't too much of an issue

The pleco is too big in my opinion anyways for the 29. The algae eaters may get a bit aggressive depending on species. The tank looks amazing. Thank you for passing the love of fish on to the next generation. I'm 14 and still precisely remember my grandpa getting me hooked on all things fish. It is a passion that I will carry for the rest of my life, and I love it when I can teach a full grown adult something new, or help a new member heal their sick fish.

Thanks for the advice! I only wanted the pleco to help clean the tank haha. I hope the algae eaters aren't aggressive..I'm not noticing anything...but they are outliving all the other fish! The aquarium also adds some zen into the classroom too! Helps the stress!!

Also make it over clear that you have an aquarium in the classroom. While I am not a teacher I have had too many teacher friends who had problems with tanks or classroom pets because someone brilliantly decided to spray pesticides or other chemicals over a weekend or classroom break.
Perhaps ask your administration and custodial staff if there is a policy or procedure. I say both because often written policy and actual procedure differ widely.

will do!!

 

The aquarium also adds some zen into the classroom too! Helps the stress!!

Move over fidget spinner! Bye-bye smart phone! Okay, maybe that last one is reaching a bit. LOL!

 

I have been looking after two simple aquaria in my school for the last 15 years.

My top tip is to simplify things as much as possible because even then it takes up precious time.

Make it fun for the kids and they will love the aquarium. I have divers, a sunken ship and a life-like jellyfish they think is real because it sways in the current with its tentacles.

Show a good example of how to care for animals.

Some kids will tap on the glass however many times you tell them not to so you need less nervous fish which will stand up to that.

Heaters and filters and lights or anything with a switch will get tampered with unless you take steps (usually just before the weekend).

Insist they tell you about any work to the school water supply. If it gets worked on and they disinfect the supply it could make it deadly to your fish!

 

My new issue---golden algae eaters...could be picking on other fish? they seem okay but neon tetra remain in the corner...

 

So I just read up a little on these guys...sounds like they’re usually aggressive(territorial, not much you can do about that-maybe more hiding places). It also sounds like they may start to suck the slime off your other fish as the GAE gets older. And they can get between 8-12”, so that could be a problem in a 29.