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[ Thursday, Sept. 30, 1999 ]
Underwater habitat set to arrive in HUB
By MEL NOVAK
and JAMIE SMITH
Collegian Staff Writer
One fish, two fish, clown fish, blue tangs?
This twist to the familiar childhood rhyme will come to life this semester in the new aquariums in the HUB/Paul Robeson Cultural Center.
The two fish tanks located on the ground floor of the HUB will soon house a large assortment of aquatic life.
Next week, coral and "live sand" will be added to the large aquarium, the first step in the creation of an underwater habitat, said Bob Minard, director of Organic Instruction Labs.
Fish will be added about a month later, once the tank has reached a proper chemical balance, he added.
Fish may be added to the smaller tank in mid-October provided the filtration system is complete and working properly, Minard said.
The larger, saltwater tank will be mostly a coral reef display with hard and soft corals, or living rocks. The tank will also be a home to angelfish, clown fish, blue tangs and anthias. Clams, shrimp, miniature lobsters and hermit crabs will be added to the saltwater tank, Minard said.
It may take some time for this tank to fully develop.
"Corals grow slowly, so the saltwater tank won't look its best until about a year from now," Minard said.
The smaller, freshwater tank will contain African Cichlids in numerous colors.
PHOTO: Tara Liddell
The fish tanks on the ground floor of the HUB was a donation made by the class of 1999.
The aquariums will not only add to the new HUB environment but will also be used for educational purposes.
A number of science classes are planning to incorporate these aquariums into their studies.
A lab behind the tanks will provide a place to take water samples and monitor the environment, Minard said.
Plans include underwater cameras, which, in addition to monitoring systems, will be connected to the Web so that the aquariums can be a part of a worldwide learning system, he said.
There are also informational kiosks located near the aquariums that provide information about the project and those involved.
Several students are looking forward to this new addition to the HUB.
"I think it's a good idea because as you walk through the HUB it's something else to look at. It (the aquariums) makes the place more interesting," Hyeri Ko (freshman-business administration) said.
The tanks, which are a gift from the class of 1999, are located near the billiard room on the ground floor of the HUB.
"I think it's a really good location since this is the only exit on this side, so people will see it," said Danielle Allen (junior-elementary education).
There will be a ceremony Dec. 17 to officially dedicate the aquariums.
