Running a marine tank, I can honestly say, is one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had as a teacher. However, it did not come without controversy. When I approached my late principal, Sandy Albano, he instantly supported the idea. A year later we had installed a 220 gal marine fish tank in the main lobby of the Elementary School.

When it was first started I had one condition, which was to have local/indigenous species only. I certainly met with some opposition both from staff and some past board members. My vision was not the same. Since it became a highlighted area of the school they wanted it to be "pretty". Our views were not completely shared. 

Well what a site it was, and what a stir! I was called regularly over the next few weeks mainly from teachers about their feelings regarding my species choice. I heard how ugly, nasty, and down right scary the eels were. However, I did not hear that  from the students. As a matter of fact the tank created a huge traffic jam. The kids absolutely  loved it! Remembering who I worked for made all the difference and very worth it.

The tank has now been moved to a new location  in the hallway of the new Hampton Bays Middle School.  It currently  serves as a base for our marine program in the sixth grade. Hundreds of kids pass the tank everyday, at times three deep staring at the new entrants, watching a feeding, or  having our  Life Skills Class use it as a reward to come down and visit.

Currently we have blackfish tautoga onitis, mummichog fundulus heteroclitus, spider crabs Libinia emarginata, and spots Leiostomus xanthurus to name a few. Over the past few years it has held a plethora of species from octopi to spider crabs, and lionfish to burr fish. Painstaking at times but I know that thousands of students got a first hand look at at the many local fish and marine life of Shinnecock Bay   .

A winter flounder and shark in the tank.

I look forward to writing about "how" to maintain and get a tank started in the future. If anyone has questions feel free to contact me at rnydegger@hbschools.us and you are more than welcome to come visit at anytime.

Rick Nydegger is a Sixth Grade Science at Hampton Bays School District.

NOTE: For those planning to keep managed species in your tank, you must get a permit from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Click here for more information.