The smell of pizza and fried foods, the roar of hungry college students, the newly infamous “Harlem Quake” location and a tank full of fish. What?

The recently installed fish tank that now occupies prime space in the Quakeria has become a topic of discussion this past semester.

Now the question at hand: Is this tank awesome or just completely unnecessary?  It does create a work study job: cleaning the tank and keeping the fish happy and healthy. However, the tank and the critters living inside cost money that could have been used in other departments or places on campus that really need the funding.

“While I approved the fish tank as part of the renovation of the Grill and Quakeria space and helped to design it, I cannot claim credit for the original idea,” said Kent Chabotar, president and professor of political science. “I can tell you that we checked with many students about the concept, and the near unanimous reaction was positive. It was intended as a focal point and divider between the Grill and Quakeria (and) as part of the overall space design.”

The fish tank is a 390-gallon saltwater reef tank. It also has a 75-gallon sump underneath that has filters and extra live rock and macro-algae that help break down nitrates into nitrogen.

There are over 17 different species of fish, shrimp, coral, sponge and other saltwater creatures living peacefully in the tank.

“The fish were chosen by consulting with saltwater reef experts to find a nice blend of fish that will coexist and not stress each other,” said Rex Harrell, support services manager and “Fish Tank Guru,” as tagged by Aaron Fetrow, vice president for student affairs and dean of students.

Personally, I think the tank itself is really beautiful and is extremely well put together.

It creates a nice visual for people walking by and provides entertainment while chowing down on some pizza and Grill food.

“I think it is ostentatiously awesome,” said senior Caroline Loftus. “I think it goes against the Quaker value of simplicity, but it’s pretty.”

The Quaker value of simplicity was definitely forgotten during the construction of this 390-gallon tank.

“I think it’s pretty awesome,” said senior Mellissa Beeh. “But what’s the point besides that? I kinda feel like it may have been a waste of money.”

While we do not know how much money was spent on the fish tank project itself, we can say that this money may have been better used.

“I think it’s cool, and I love that it’s there, but a lot more departments and things could have used the money,” said sophomore James O’Neill.

It seems as if the overall opinion of the tank itself is that is it fun to look at but really was a waste of money. It was installed to make our school more aesthetically pleasing.

The tank is obviously here to stay, and we cannot change that fact or that it cost money that could have been distributed to other departments on campus.

If Guilford continues to spend money on such things as fish tanks, where will our school be in five years? What will our financial situation be?

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