This page includes information on where to purchase equipment as well as a list of all equipment needed for the program.
Purchasing from That Fish Place #
Probably the easiest way to get started is to purchase kits from our partner, That Fish Place-That Pet Places. They offer TIC kits, as well as individual items, at discount prices for TIC educators.
Contact: Stephanie Welsh
Phone: 717-299-5691 ext 1288
Visit: https://www.thatpetplace.com/trout-in-the-classroom
About Chillers #
The chiller may be the most expensive piece of equipment for your aquarium. The chiller maintains optimum temperature for salmon and trout. Classrooms raise their salmonids between 50-57 degrees Fahrenheit. There are a couple of different options out there for chillers that you can purchase separately, if you so choose.
Typical aquarium chillers are designed to chill aquarium water to around 60°-70° Fahrenheit. Therefore, for S/TIC, we must use chillers that are rated for a larger size tank. For example, for a 55-gallon TIC tank, we purchase at least 1/4 HP (horsepower) chillers which are technically designed for 100-125 gallon tanks. Some classes prefer to purchase 1/3 HP chillers, just to increase longevity by decreasing wear. By using a more powerful chiller, we decrease our chances of burning our chiller out after only a year or two.
Popular Chiller Options #
That Fish Place offers a the AquaEuro chiller which is a flow through chiller using a pump. The pump and chiller are connected with tubing which brings water into the chiller, cools the water to 51 ℉, then outputs the water via another tube and diffuser.
Drop-in chillers use a submerged coil which cools the water. Many classrooms prefer this option due to its simplicity with less components and year-end maintenance.
For drop-in chillers, we recommend Tradewind Chillers.
Contact: Hal Collier
Phone: (760) 233-8888
Email: twchillers(at)sbcglobal.net.
Equipment List #
Below is an equipment list adapted from Pennsylvania Trout in the Classroom listed by category.
Most of these supplies can be purchased in the Kits from That Fish Place.
Water Quality Testing and Cleanup #
- Freshwater Master Test Kit
- GH & KH Water Hardness Test Kit
- Lees Squeeze Bulb Ultra Gravel Vac with on/off valve
- Two 5-gallon buckets (for water changes)
- Microbe Lift Special Blend
- Microbe Lift NITE-OUT II or StressZyme
- Turkey baster (for water quality testing & egg removal)
- Tap Water Conditioner such as NovAqua Plus or Seachem Prime
Temperature #
- Submersible or floating thermometer
- Battery operated digital thermometer
- Tradewinds Drop-In Chiller or Aqua Euro Flow Through Chiller
- Foamboard pieces for insulation and light-blocking (measurements below for 55-gal tank)
- Two 48 1/4″ x 21″
- Two 12 3/4″ x 21″
- One 12 3/4″ x 48 1/4″
Water quality: filtration and circulation #
- Fluval 406 Canister Filter
- Filter max pre filter (Aquarium Tech) to place on your filter intake
- Chemi-Pure (carbon filtration) Aquarium Filter Media
- Ammonium chloride to feed bacteria and kickstart nitrogen cycle (optional)
Oxygen #
Oxygen is not only essential for the respiration of salmonids, it also aids in the Nitrogen Cycle.
- Whisper 60 aquarium pump
- Flexible airline tubing – 25 feet
- Fusion Check Valve 1-pack
- 10″ Aqua Mist add-a-stone
Trout habitat and feeding #
- 55 gallon, glass aquarium (48 1/4″ x 12 3/4″ x 21″) – not included in kit from That Fish Place
- Lid for 55 gallon aquarium
- Egg basket
- 8-inch net with long handle
- Measuring spoons – 1/8, 1/4 and 1/2 teaspoon
- Gravel or substrate jewels (optional)
General #
- Power strip
- Towels/rags
Equipment that may need to be replaced yearly #
Chemi-Pure Filter Media 5 oz
Tubing air stone connection
10” Aqua Mist Add-a-stone
Equipment to be replaced as needed based on condition or expiration #
Fluval filter motor seal ring
Freshwater Master Test Kit
Check Valve-1 pack
Fluval Media (Foam Block)
Fluval BioMax Media-17.63 oz.
Special Blend (microbe lift & nite out II)
