The 200,000 gallon tank build thread.

[Anonymous]

Do you mean sand from the beach?

No, this is aragonite based. Not sure exactly where it came from though.

Damn and here I thought you'd have been brave with "silica based" stuff... if you have any leftovers, I have a 300g lagoon in the works this summer that can use some sand

There are some holes there, yes. At the right time of day, and if it's cloudless (big IF), it hits right where we plan on putting the bulk of the stony corals. It completely overpowers the artificial light, too.

Really? Wow, I would think that your bulbs as many as you have would be the dominate lighting, but man I need to find me a cheap quantum meter if I plan on using sunlight for the above mentioned lagoon.

Interesting take on it. The architect wanted no fence at all, so that people could walk right up to the building. Clearly not practical. Very Happy I think some folks wanted a plain chain link fence so that people could see what was going on, but then that doesn't look very pleasant.

The architect wanted no fence even during construction? Wow. I can understand the need for a fence, and to be honest the fence is so far away from the building you really can't see much inside even if the green fabric wasn't up. Now if the architect has any say about removing those ugly nub of a tree stumps in the music concourse between the academy & de young I'll be happy

 

[bleedingthought]

Looking nice. Hope that the lights (natural included) will work a little better than for our aquarium here.

 

[brandonberry]

Got any updates or new pics?

 

[dadstank]

i just read through this....
wow.
and i am stressing over a 120?
geez! :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

21 days to go before we open...Sept 27th.

Total fish count is 1800, should be 2000 by opening day. We had planned on doing 4000 by opening day, but we were pretty impressed how much 1000 fish filled up the tank and decided to stick with a slower stocking regimen. Perhaps a year or two from now we will hit 4000. Future fish plans include increasing biodiversity with some of the more delicate species--regal angels, tilefish, flasher wrasses, etc.

The coral cover is light but we have a ways to go of course. Like any reef tank it will take years before this exhibit reaches its full potential.

All our other exhibits are being commissioned and stocked faster than I can keep up, and it is extremely exciting to see it all come together. We have a 4 story high rainforest with free flying birds, fruit bats, leafcutter ants, live trees, etc.

 

[Anonymous]

Awesome!

Louey

 

[Anonymous]

So Matt, is there an overall mindset to where corals are placed there? I mean beyond the light requirements. I know in the 20k gal tank you had some absolutely huge sarcos, are you going to segregate soft corals from stonies in any big way?

 

[bleedingthought]

Very cool! Very nice picture.

 

[dadstank]

can i come to the opening????

 

[Ben1]

That tank looks so cool. If I am rich one day I will make one like that to scuba dive in. Are you guys going to let volunteer scuba divers go in ot clean up or anything? Not that I am close...

 

[TheJGMProject]

I'm very excited to see this exhibit as well as the entire facility. I'm glad I live only 45 minutes away!

 

[Anonymous]

I'm very excited to see this exhibit as well as the entire facility. I'm glad I live only 45 minutes away!

I'm glad I only live 15 minutes away (and that's only because there's no real direct freeway access there). I will be getting a season pass though so me and the missus can enjoy at odd hours when there hopefully is a smaller crowd. Also I would love to do a photo journal of the progression of some of the exhibits over time (especially that rainforest bit, although don't know if I could take a photo of the whole thing).

 

[Anonymous]

So Matt, is there an overall mindset to where corals are placed there? I mean beyond the light requirements. I know in the 20k gal tank you had some absolutely huge sarcos, are you going to segregate soft corals from stonies in any big way?

Hey Mike, yes, one side has higher flow and gets hit with more natural sunlight. The stonies are concentrated there.

 

[Anonymous]

can i come to the opening????

Yup! Opening day is September 27th and it's FREE!

 

[Anonymous]

That tank looks so cool. If I am rich one day I will make one like that to scuba dive in. Are you guys going to let volunteer scuba divers go in ot clean up or anything? Not that I am close...

Yes, there will be several volunteer divers that come in a few days a month to clean this tank and the other large ones. My friend is a fireman/rescue diver who keeps a reef tank at home and will be commuting from Sacramento (about 2 hrs away one way) to do just that.

 

[Anonymous]

Ahem....I'm a trained rescue diver and I'm close

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah but how many times have you mentioned you'll never driving into San Francisco Gresham?

I'm not a trained diver, but I do got a fishing pole and fishing net if I can help

 

[Anonymous]

I'm not a trained diver, but I play one on TV.

 

[Anonymous]

Ahem....I'm a trained rescue diver and I'm close

Are you waiting for an engraved invitation or something?

PM me if you'd like details on how to apply.

 

[Anonymous]

Ahem....I'm a trained rescue diver and I'm close

Are you waiting for an engraved invitation or something?

PM me if you'd like details on how to apply.

Well yeah, and dancing girls to deliver it to me