Bryce Peterson
Active Member
Point made. Thanks.
Disturbing video
- Thread starter Leah
- Start date
- Tagged users None
Just a few random thoughts...
When I go to an aquarium, I like to see exhibits with healthy animals/corals. I understand this can not always be achieved in captivity unless we make some modifications.
Most aquariums do not have just one tank. They have multiple displays that allow them to display diversity. While the huge tank does not have corals, I am sure there is an area with smaller tanks displaying corals, seahorses, octopus, a clownfish and anemone pair, etc...
Say an aquarium has a 5,000 gallon system packed with fish like you would see on an actual reef. In captivity, a tank does not have a massive volume of water like in the ocean. This means all the fish waste (and extra food) is more concentrated and not broken down or consumed like it would be in the ocean (resulting in higher nitrates and phosphates). This could make keeping corals in the same system very difficult.
Also, real coral would require hands on care. In a nano tank you can reach in and clip the colonies. In a huge system this means someone suiting up and diving in. Colonies of coral will eventually grow and start blocking the view, competing with each other for light, stinging each other (which can cause issues in a tank), and many corals will also kill/eat fish.
Not to mention many reef fish also eat coral. The cost would add up quickly feeding fish expensive corals. Plus the tank would be left with coral skeletons, and I had rather see fake coral than dead coral.
Also, in a tank that size, lighting coral could be a big issue. Aquariums have a limited budget. If I recall correctly, the Long Island Aquarium's electric bill runs about $80,000 a month. Adding a massive amount of light (which cost $$$), that adds heat, and may in return require a chiller, could cost too much to maintain.
When I go to an aquarium, I like to see exhibits with healthy animals/corals. I understand this can not always be achieved in captivity unless we make some modifications.
Most aquariums do not have just one tank. They have multiple displays that allow them to display diversity. While the huge tank does not have corals, I am sure there is an area with smaller tanks displaying corals, seahorses, octopus, a clownfish and anemone pair, etc...
Say an aquarium has a 5,000 gallon system packed with fish like you would see on an actual reef. In captivity, a tank does not have a massive volume of water like in the ocean. This means all the fish waste (and extra food) is more concentrated and not broken down or consumed like it would be in the ocean (resulting in higher nitrates and phosphates). This could make keeping corals in the same system very difficult.
Also, real coral would require hands on care. In a nano tank you can reach in and clip the colonies. In a huge system this means someone suiting up and diving in. Colonies of coral will eventually grow and start blocking the view, competing with each other for light, stinging each other (which can cause issues in a tank), and many corals will also kill/eat fish.
Not to mention many reef fish also eat coral. The cost would add up quickly feeding fish expensive corals. Plus the tank would be left with coral skeletons, and I had rather see fake coral than dead coral.
Also, in a tank that size, lighting coral could be a big issue. Aquariums have a limited budget. If I recall correctly, the Long Island Aquarium's electric bill runs about $80,000 a month. Adding a massive amount of light (which cost $$$), that adds heat, and may in return require a chiller, could cost too much to maintain.
This augment is a moot point I am sorry....
I am all for saving the the reefs but without this hobby and aquariums the public would have almost no information about the corals or fish that live on the reef. We as the hobbyist and the industry are the ones breeding the fish building coral farms and so on. Without a "Overstocked" tank in some aquarium we might lose the next generation of "reefers" this intern would cost the industry and slow down the advances of saving the reefs.
In the end Fish that live on the reefs are just that fish. Yes are they under pressure from outside sources that cause a negative impact yes, but of the 500,000 or so Yellow tangs taken off the reefs for our hobby has sparked a breeding program that is doing great! Without this hobby or public aquariums this would not of happened. We have no clue how many Yellow Tangs die on the reef with or without are hobby.... Most reefs are destroyed by shipping and dredging this cost Mauritius large portions of there reef and is a problem around the world.
Should we ban shipping...... Should we ban everything that negatively effects the reefs.... NO.
If we can get one just one person excited about the reefs from public aquariums or this hobby it is worth the fish or coral it costs as we the "Humans" are the only ones that can save them. We can't control how much plastic is used or stop dredging we cant stop the cogs of the world moving BUT we can do are best to breed and replace what is damaged.
Lets stop posting negative opinions about a facility trying to help and direct are outrage to something like this...
The numbers in this thread was from a snorkel bob post i read years ago sorry if they are off a bit.
I am all for saving the the reefs but without this hobby and aquariums the public would have almost no information about the corals or fish that live on the reef. We as the hobbyist and the industry are the ones breeding the fish building coral farms and so on. Without a "Overstocked" tank in some aquarium we might lose the next generation of "reefers" this intern would cost the industry and slow down the advances of saving the reefs.
In the end Fish that live on the reefs are just that fish. Yes are they under pressure from outside sources that cause a negative impact yes, but of the 500,000 or so Yellow tangs taken off the reefs for our hobby has sparked a breeding program that is doing great! Without this hobby or public aquariums this would not of happened. We have no clue how many Yellow Tangs die on the reef with or without are hobby.... Most reefs are destroyed by shipping and dredging this cost Mauritius large portions of there reef and is a problem around the world.
Should we ban shipping...... Should we ban everything that negatively effects the reefs.... NO.
If we can get one just one person excited about the reefs from public aquariums or this hobby it is worth the fish or coral it costs as we the "Humans" are the only ones that can save them. We can't control how much plastic is used or stop dredging we cant stop the cogs of the world moving BUT we can do are best to breed and replace what is damaged.
Lets stop posting negative opinions about a facility trying to help and direct are outrage to something like this...
The numbers in this thread was from a snorkel bob post i read years ago sorry if they are off a bit.
Well, I've been on many forums over the years, and one thing I have noticed is that when someone posts something controversial very early on, it usually turns out that this person has an agenda, or is just interested in creating problems. I'm not saying this is the case with your post, all I am saying is that it fits a pattern I've seen many, many times before.
PJS
Active Member
I t
I think that these types of comments (from both parties) only perpetuates the negative undertones. We should turn the corner on this thread and make it a productive discussion in a non finger pointing way or as stated earlier by staff the thread will get closed.
Bryce Peterson
Active Member
Don't be discouraged Leah. This is a really great forum. This is a place where you can absolutely be inspired. Don't let a few judgemental comments get to you.
Not really like alternative facts. I believe you are a sincere person, and my initial responses to your posts were based on a knee-jerk reaction, having seen similar patterns many times before. Let's move on, shall we?
PJS
Active Member
Definitely!
Like another member said earlier, it's hard to tell true meaning and feelings with typed words. This forum is a great place where members tend to treat other members like family. I think we can all agree that we all want what's best for our tanks.
My corny quote of the day..
"I believe that it takes a village and together...we have a brain"
Reef on R2R...reef on!
I understand the points that have been made in this thread. In the end, we all care deeply about our hobby and our oceans. We can and have been doing some amazing things. Let's start working together and not tear each other apart.
I don't think that is what people are saying.
On a forum, people can only get a sense of your personality by what you post. First impressions (whether online or in person) are formed quickly. When words with a negative connotation are used ("disturbing", "overcrowding", and on a reef forum even "man made reef" can have a negative vibe at times).
I can tell by the first post that you are against the overcrowding and man made reefs. So a question I have is, what did you hope would come out of the post?
Did you want everyone to agree and say yes, it is over crowded and not natural?
Or did you want to get a better understanding of why the aquarium may be set up this way?
Maybe start a discussion of how aquariums can implement a more natural environment for the creatures of the ocean?
I like to start a post with a neutral statement (for example, found this video...what are everyone's thoughts on amount of fish and the coral inserts?). Then later I may step in with what I was thinking. Other people may bring up points I have never thought about and make me step back and rethink a situation.
Bryce Peterson
Active Member
One thing I can say for Leah, she got more responses to a post than I ever got. Thanks for the Sunday morning entertainment! Delayed me from doing my taxes 
PJS
Active Member
Lol... I second that! That's just good business right there!One thing I can say for Leah, she got more responses to a post than I ever got. Thanks for the Sunday morning entertainment! Delayed me from doing my taxes
PJS
Active Member
Just to lighten the tone....(I realize this is the wrong thread)
Speaking of "overcrowding", this lil one gets jealous of any amount of time her human spends on the phone or Note, she has to get right in the middle... Lol
Speaking of "overcrowding", this lil one gets jealous of any amount of time her human spends on the phone or Note, she has to get right in the middle... Lol
Love those ears!Just to lighten the tone....(I realize this is the wrong thread)
Speaking of "overcrowding", this lil one gets jealous of any amount of time her human spends on the phone or Note, she has to get right in the middle... Lol
Lionfish Lair
Renee
Leah, they have so little real coral because of conservation efforts. They told us at a "behind the scenes" tour that it would be irresponsible as conservationists to turn around and take that much coral from the ocean. Then the resources needed to maintain the coral would eat into the money needed for other critters while increasing their carbon footprint. There's also the issue with so many fish not being "coral compatible", so they would have that to contend with as well.
BUT, I can't say I've cared for all of their displays. This one was just too much, IMO.....
BUT, I can't say I've cared for all of their displays. This one was just too much, IMO.....
Last edited:
PJS
Active Member
Woa!
Lionfish Lair
Renee
That was from the Aquarium of the Pacific in California.
