Teachers' Lounge

Murky water, High nitrates - Help!

2012-03-21T09:02:35Z

Hi everyone,

This is my first year participating in the TIC, although the equipment has travel through several other teachers in years past. The tank has been far more successful than in pervious years - we’re estimating between 80 - 100 fish - but I’m running into a real problem. The nitrates levels keep climbing, and the water has a distinct brownish-greenish tinge to it. My co-teacher and I have been changing the water (about 1/3 of the tank per week), clearing the filters of “gunk”, and have cut back of feeding (at least until we found the biggest fish eating the smallest fish), but we are unable to get the water clear or the nitrate levels down. Ph, ammonia, and nitrite levels are fine. After reading a recent post, we will up the water changes to 50% 2x a week, but is there anything else we can do? We appreciate any advice you can send our way.

Trout

2012-03-09T13:51:26Z

Well…..How are the trout doing????????????

My new small fry!

2012-01-10T13:08:14Z

This is Sierra Rose and yes, she already has a fishing rod!

Halloween Hatching!

2011-11-02T15:32:27Z

Has anyone else’s eggs hatched? Ours did some time over the snowy Halloween weekend. We lost power in the school and it was closed Monday. I was afraid all the eggs would die, but when I got back to school, Lo and Behold: alevins! I thought it would take longer and am wondering if the power outage might have played a part…

“IN THE CLASSROOM”

2011-02-11T12:31:53Z

Does anyone have anything else in the classroom!!!!!!!!!!

Strength In Numbers

2011-09-22T19:14:53Z

What an encouraging start to this new school year and the TIC project for 2012! There seems to be a “buzz” about aquatic plants, equipment and an overall anticipation of sharing information. All I can say is that I hope all the new TIC participants along with the veterans start using this forum to its real potential. There were times last year with very little interaction between the 100 plus teachers involved in the program. We can ALL benefit from each others experiences, both good and bad. I am one of 3 teachers at Passaic High School that has a TIC tank. One in Biology, mine in Environmental Science, and one in Special Ed. We’re in our 4th year. We all help each other on a regular basis…but many of you are a single project with minimal immediate local support. THIS is the place to interact and share your troubles and triumphs, We’re all busy and under the gun at our respective schools, but we have a powerful support system here if it’s used the right way. Good luck to you all.

My Life as a Sussex Middle School Trout

2011-05-17T13:38:44Z

This is an activity that Kelly Lowin of Sussex Middle School does with her TIC class. I think its a great way to gauge what the students learned over the course of the semester. It uses the science information learned throughout the program and incorporates language arts and writing skills. An art project could also be incorporated into this project easily. Thanks for sharing Kelly!

Kids Forum

2011-10-05T15:18:03Z

How about a kids forum?????.....They can log in under the school name…..Each teacher can make a school log in and the kids can post under it…...No student names…...

Feeding

2011-09-30T14:34:30Z

What do you feed your trout?????.......We now give them….......

1.D. Hydei fruit flies
2.Crickets
3.Black eyed pea Bean Bean Beetles
4.Meanogaster Fruit flies
5. Garden worms
6. fish food pettets

Lessons from Trout

2010-08-18T11:57:37Z

Each month I will try and change lessons to go along with what you should be doing with your tank. Check back often to see what activities you can be doing with your students.

September - Phenakistoscopes and Animation Precursers