Aquatic safari: Have you visited a public aquarium?

[Peace River]

Aquatic safari: Have you visited a public aquarium?

We keep reef tanks of all shapes and sizes in our homes, but have you ever been to a public aquarium? Although the tanks at public aquariums are often larger, there is plenty that public aquarists can learn from hobbyists and that hobbyists can learn from public aquariums and those who work there. Maybe you have been behind the scenes at a public aquarium or even worked at one. Please tell us if you have visited a public aquarium and share experiences with and thoughts about public aquariums.

Pro Tip: Public aquariums can be a gateway into the hobby or a way to inform the public about reef keeping and reef conservation. Please consider attending, supporting, and even volunteering at public aquariums so that we can learn together and spread the importance of coral reefs.

Photo by @Tharry68; New England Aquarium in Boston, Massachusetts, USA


This QOTD is sponsored by: www.worldwidecorals.com

“For some hobbyists buying live coral online can seem like a risky endeavor. At WWC our staff takes the worry out of the equation by culturing extremely healthy corals, giving you a hassle-free guarantee, and providing you with a full online customer service team to ensure you are completely satisfied with your purchase.”

 

[Reefer Matt]

Absolutely! I just visited the Toledo Zoo Aquarium, @Jay Hemdal 's and others' fine work. I highly recommend it to everyone!

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have been to three but it has been years. I will likely stop at Miami aquarium end of next month and Shedds before the end of summer

 

[Bruttall]

I live about 15 minutes from the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and aquarium.

 

[fodsod]

I'll be at the Georgia Aquarium this weekend with family. Seeing the whale sharks and the giant rays is amazing.


Just as amazing as looking at all the displays is the behind the scenes. Seeing what it takes to run that stuff once you have reef tanks is humbling for sure.

 

[doubleshot00]

I'll be at the Georgia Aquarium this weekend with family. Seeing the whale sharks and the giant rays is amazing.


Just as amazing as looking at all the displays is the behind the scenes. Seeing what it takes to run that stuff once you have reef tanks is humbling for sure.

It is awesome.

GA was last years visit. Its hard to get through the whole thing in a day. My local one is the NC aquarium in Kure Beach. We like to go there 2x a year.

 

[TheFunnyFarm]

The wife and I purchased memberships to the New England Aquarium to bring our son when he turned 1yo. Now 2yo he’s become obsessed with fish/coral and notices something new every time.

It’s because of these trips he begs me to go to the LFS!!! He even weathers a 5+ hour round trip car ride to go to the three best shops!

 

[PhishMonger84]

Aquatic safari: Have you visited a public aquarium?

We keep reef tanks of all shapes and sizes in our homes, but have you ever been to a public aquarium? Although the tanks at public aquariums are often larger, there is plenty that public aquarists can learn from hobbyists and that hobbyists can learn from public aquariums and those who work there. Maybe you have been behind the scenes at a public aquarium or even worked at one. Please tell us if you have visited a public aquarium and share experiences with and thoughts about public aquariums.

Pro Tip: Public aquariums can be a gateway into the hobby or a way to inform the public about reef keeping and reef conservation. Please consider attending, supporting, and even volunteering at public aquariums so that we can learn together and spread the importance of coral reefs.

Photo by @Tharry68; New England Aquarium in Boston, Massachusetts, USA


This QOTD is sponsored by: www.worldwidecorals.com

“For some hobbyists buying live coral online can seem like a risky endeavor. At WWC our staff takes the worry out of the equation by culturing extremely healthy corals, giving you a hassle-free guarantee, and providing you with a full online customer service team to ensure you are completely satisfied with your purchase.”

i knew i recognized that tank!

Every time my old company did outings in Boston, i went there on the "free time"

 

[LPS Bum]

I spent 4 years as a volunteer diver and aquarist at the Denver Aquarium. Fun times. Had to give it up when I had kids though.

 

[Hans-Werner]

Until 22 years ago I worked for a small public aquarium in a natural history museum. Now I visit public aquaria from time to time.

I think our best public reef tank in Germany is the one in Karlsruhe. It is also in a natural history museum. I think it has become the centerpiece of the museum under the direction of Hannes Kirchhauser.

 

[Salty_Northerner]

Heck yeah, Perth Australia has an amazing public aquarium. Also love how they use the ocean to be plumbed into most of there systems!

 

[SnazzyUrchin792]

I'll be at the Georgia Aquarium this weekend with family. Seeing the whale sharks and the giant rays is amazing.

My aunt is getting me backstage passes for my birthday on Saturday

 

[SnazzyUrchin792]

Also been to the Tennessee aquarium

 

[dodojojo]

Former intern of Mystic Aquarium and current Aquarist at Georgia Aquarium! Tennessee is one of my favorites over the years. Shedd and Monterey are next on my list to hit. The Kansas City zoos new ocean building is opening in the fall and I know that one is going to be amazing

 

[Waters]

I visit when I can.....Cleveland aquarium is horrible unfortunately so I don't have anything close.

 

[Bleigh]

Other: I have worked at a public aquarium. So lots of visiting at one point in my life. lol

 

[Bleigh]

Former intern of Mystic Aquarium and current Aquarist at Georgia Aquarium! Tennessee is one of my favorites over the years. Shedd and Monterey are next on my list to hit. The Kansas City zoos new ocean building is opening in the fall and I know that one is going to be amazing

Oh cool!!! I interned at the Georgia aquarium almost 2 decades ago. What do you do there?

 

[dodojojo]

Oh cool!!! I interned at the Georgia aquarium almost 2 decades ago. What do you do there?

I'm a jellyfish aquarist!

 

[Alexraptor]

On a number of occasions, more than that, I actually donated a little yellow and green Monti digi frag to the Maritime Museum and Aquarium of Gothenburg, many years ago.

This is in the main exhibit some time before they closed for a major reconstruction in 2018.

This is their mother colony they grew from my frag, out of their frag system at the time. I think this was about a year and a half of growth at that point, but I'm not certain.

 

[Northwest_Scapes_]

Visited many but I'm currently a highschool volunteer at the Seattle Aquarium (looking to possibly intern soon) and have connections to the Monterey Bay Aquarium which I never thought would happen since that's my favorite public Aquarium (specifically Matt Wandell, Paul Clarkson, and a few others I've met and talk to regularly)

My profile pic is actually of a Bloody Belly Comb Jelly from MBA