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GaryP
Mon, 22nd Dec 2003, 07:22 AM
Hello folks,

Instar (Larry) and I are planning on offering a workshop/seminar on general SW water chemistry. While the seminar will be mainly directed towards reefkeeping, the information will be applicable to those of you into FO tanks as well. The date and site is yet to be determined but I would expect that it would be towards the end of Jan. or Feb. There will be a small charge for materials, something around $5 and you will come away with printed material to use as a reference. The seminar will be directed towards those of you that are new to SW, however we're sure that many of the more advanced hobbyists in the group may find useful information in such a seminar. The general idea is to handle the chemistry topic with the individual with little or no background in chemistry in mind. This is not going to be a college level chemistry course, perhaps more on a High School level. We would like your feedback as to how many of you would be interested in such a seminar.

Both Larry and I have been contacted and fielded many water chemistry questions from many of you individually, both in person and online. We feel that such a seminar would be very helpful. We both have a background in chemistry and feel that we can provide helpful information to many of you. We feel there is a need for such a program that would be of benefit to many of you.

We have contacted Chris about this and he has agreed to take the concept to the next board meeting. In addition, we have discussed the concept of broadening the scope and implementing an education program that would present a series of eminars. We would like to tap the expertise of some of the more experienced members of the group to serve as instructors for this program, especially in areas that they are most knowledgeable. Other topics that have been discussed are system design, nutrient export, captive breeding, quarantine, disease management, lighting, and maintenance. As time goes on we can get into some more specialized topics if the program is successful and interest in such seminars is shown to exist within the MAAST membership. We have suggested that a education chair and/or committee be appointed to coordinate the program and help make arrangements for the seminars. We'll let the board make that decision and contact you with further details in the future.


We encourage you to contact the board with your feedback and suggestions. In the mean time we need your feedback on whether you would be interested in such a program. Larry and I are probably going to put a lot of time and effort into preparing the course materials for the water chemistry seminar and we would like to know how much interest there is before beginning this process.

Thanks,
Gary

GaryP
Mon, 22nd Dec 2003, 07:37 AM
Here's another idea. Maybe some DIY (Calcium reactor, general acrylic techniques, refugiums, etc.) workshops.

Gary

adaminaustin
Mon, 22nd Dec 2003, 08:08 AM
Sounds Great..... Count me in on the water chemistry workshop. :D

DeletedAccount
Mon, 22nd Dec 2003, 08:40 AM
Sounds like a WONDERFUL idea!!!

Pizazz
Mon, 22nd Dec 2003, 09:26 AM
Great Idea! Count me in - water chemistry too.

alexwolf
Mon, 22nd Dec 2003, 09:37 AM
im IN on the do it yourself Calcium reactor!!!!

::pete::
Mon, 22nd Dec 2003, 10:02 AM
I too am interested in all of it. If the printout could be mailed that would be great. As for the hands on part as in acrylic, if this could be recorded and burned to CD it could then be sold for future reference. Id buy one.

Stephen
Mon, 22nd Dec 2003, 10:20 AM
I think this would be a great idea. Some of us may not remember H.S. Chemistry (15+years ago) so this would be a great refreasher and a chance to learn more advanced water chemistry. I would be in for all of the sessions. (if time allows)

Thanks,

Stephen

GaryP
Mon, 22nd Dec 2003, 01:41 PM
Stephen,

I don't recall being taught aquarium chemistry in HS. What I was trying to say that we would like to teach it at the HS level of complexity, starting with the basics and going from there. I'm sure you would find it very useful.

Gary

dan
Mon, 22nd Dec 2003, 02:29 PM
i'v been out of high school so long i do'nt think they had chemistry when i went.lol YA I LIKE THE IDEA A LOT! count me in!!!!!

GaryP
Wed, 24th Dec 2003, 03:59 PM
OK, we've had 4 people that have said that they are interested in attending the water chemistry workshop. That's not enough to go through all the work necessary for something of this magnitude. If any more of you are interested please let us know.

Gary

DeletedAccount
Wed, 24th Dec 2003, 04:12 PM
I AM IN.

Jenn
Wed, 24th Dec 2003, 04:29 PM
I would like to join in on all the topics mentioned. I definitely need some of this info. and help. Thanks for taking the time to plan this, hope it works out!

lax
Wed, 24th Dec 2003, 04:42 PM
I am interested in the water chem. and the acrylic stuff too

GaryP
Wed, 24th Dec 2003, 06:33 PM
OK, that's 7, I would like to see at least 10.

Gary

Tim Marvin
Wed, 24th Dec 2003, 07:29 PM
SWEET.

Henry
Wed, 24th Dec 2003, 08:40 PM
I'm another interested, please include me.

Ross
Thu, 25th Dec 2003, 06:48 PM
I'm probably in, got to check with the parents.

MikeP
Thu, 25th Dec 2003, 07:39 PM
I would be interested possibly depending on the timing / location.

::pete::
Fri, 26th Dec 2003, 08:05 PM
Something (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2368874892&category=20 758) I came across that might be helpful. Not anyone person has all the answers, but it might be useful.

TAXMAN
Fri, 26th Dec 2003, 08:27 PM
I'm in

Markster
Fri, 26th Dec 2003, 08:39 PM
I would also be interested.

matt
Sat, 27th Dec 2003, 02:26 AM
I'd certainly enjoy the chemistry session. Who's doing the acrylic workshop? I'd be a good heckler for that one. If anyone has a serious interest in acrylic fabrication, I can't recommend strongly enough taking the MACO course taught by Brian Ferguson. The first one is a DIY calcium reactor. Since quality materials for a reactor, skimmer, or refugium are fairly pricey, I don't see an easy one-shot session for building this stuff. Plus, there are some somewhat specialized tools needed for anything more than the absolute simplest stuff, like a router table and a decent flushtrim bit. The maco class is five weeks. Cost is $35, but materials and tools to build a high quality reactor are at least $250, if you own the router table.

JeffCo
Sat, 27th Dec 2003, 03:47 AM
I would be interested as well.

GaryP
Sat, 27th Dec 2003, 10:36 AM
Matt,

I was going to suggest that you and Dan teach it. Of course that is going to depend on teh education committe and chair. A decision on that is going to have to wait until after the next board meeting. I was sort of thinking something along the lines of the MACO course. I have been wanting to take that myself. Do you think that is doable?

Gary

Jimnorris
Sat, 27th Dec 2003, 10:46 AM
I would like to be counted in too!
Jim

cac
Sat, 27th Dec 2003, 11:22 AM
I am new to all this so not only would a water chemistry class be helpful, but I would be interested in all kinds of seminars. Right down to how to connect all this equipment together. So a series of educational meetings would be awesome. Biggest issue would be a time that is conveniant for most folks. So you can put me down for as many classses as I can fit into my schedule. :D :D :D

GaryP
Sat, 27th Dec 2003, 11:22 AM
OK Jim, what part do you want to teach?

Hehehe!

Gary

GaryP
Sat, 27th Dec 2003, 11:25 AM
Actually I'm glad to see some of the more experienced reefers getting involved. I think it would be very helpful for class discussion to get your experience added to what Larry and I will present. Larry and I have talked about the fact that we will probably learn as much as the students.

Gary

Sherri
Sat, 27th Dec 2003, 12:35 PM
I'd be interested in the classes too...Great idea...this is exactly what we need for the group.

matt
Sat, 27th Dec 2003, 03:50 PM
I'm not sure I'm qualified to teach an acrylic fabrication seminar, but I'd be happy to share what I've learned about skimmer and reactor construction. Dan might be a better choice because he's been in the business for years. Also, I only use cast acrylic, and actually, now I'm only using spartech or cyro. Most people will probably prefer to make their projects out of extruded, as Dan has been doing for years. Besides, I'd like to pick up some tips from him! This can't happen for me until mid february, though, due to some upcoming work responsibilities.

GaryP
Mon, 29th Dec 2003, 07:58 PM
I think its probably going to be at least early to mid Feb. before we can get the chemistry course organized. I just started a new job and larry to pretty much tied up too.

Gary

alexwolf
Mon, 29th Dec 2003, 08:01 PM
Hey, what about a seminar on how to plumb up the tank and fittings??? Im tired pf paying to have anything done.

Gator
Mon, 29th Dec 2003, 08:02 PM
i would like to go to anything to learn

GaryP
Mon, 29th Dec 2003, 08:04 PM
Alex, I think that would probably fall into a class on system design that I mentioned in an earlier post.

Gary