Whale Shark- Georgia Aquarium question

[ewurm]

After the recent failures, I would have to agree. Amazing site, but not sure it is worth it.

 

[krj-1168]

I tend to agree.

While it may be very impressive to see living Whale Sharks swimming in a 6 million gallon tank.

IMPO - even a 6 million gallon tank isn't suitable for housing any shark that regularly grows over 15 ft long - for it's entire life. But I also believe the Atlanta's 6 million gallon tank - could make a wonderful exhibit - if they had the right species.

For an exotic set up

In place of the Whale Sharks & Great Hammerheads.

The could put -

- Smooth Hammerheads
- Grey Reef or Blacktip Reef
- Zebra Sharks or Nurse Sharks.

Which may give the tank a - tropical reef feel.

 

[Zoodiver]

That tank has nurse, balck tips and a zebra ..... they just get over looked due to the whale sharks. I heard a manta rumor floating around the aquarium world, though......

 

[krj-1168]

That tank has nurse, balck tips and a zebra ..... they just get over looked due to the whale sharks.

Opps - sorry didn't realize that they already had those sharks in that tank.

Still - with all of those sharks & rays in the 6 million gallon tank. You would think that they would need a Filtration System that could cycle the Whole tank in less than 1 hour - not take at least 90 minutes like the current filtration system does.

I guess even with lots of big sharks and other large fishes - it takes an incredible amount of waste to increase Nitrogen level - even just 1 PPM, in a 6 million gallon tank.

 

[Zoodiver]

You gotta see their set up though. From the time the water goes into the filter, it's something like 4 hours before it's back in the tank. I've got pics of the set up somewhere. Massive sand filters, 25 of the big RK skimmers, denitrification set up (sulfur trickle) and much more. I really liked the 60" suction line feeding pump alley.

 

[krj-1168]

Wow - That's impressive.

So if the filtration is pumping 4 million GPH, and the water stays in the filtration system of nearly 4 hrs. That would mean the filtration system holds 16 million gallons(at any one moment).

Which would certainly explain why - it has to be so massive.

 

[chrisdef15]

Good to see im not the only one who thinks its dumb. Do any of you Aquarium guys and girls know Ray Davis? Sorry if he is anyones boss or friend or anything but he really didnt impress me on 60 mins. I was expecting some well thought out answers from him about what they have learned and all the good reasons for keeping them but he literally had nothing. He sounded like a complete moron. I could of come up with more stuff then him and im against it. I cant imagine he is which is why i was dissapointed but if anyone knows him is he really that dumb?

 

[dmanwarren]

HI there, sorry to see the comments on Ray Davis. First off, I did not see the 60 minute show - must have been watching 12 years olds on dateline!

I had a very enjoyable year working with him in Georgia (we did all of the exhibits in the Coral Gallary) He is extremely smart and very good at what he does. He is very well thought of in the aquarium industry. I find it very hard to believe you could make a judgement from one segment like you did. I also have done several interviews where the host went out of his way to make you look bad - it makes for good TV.

Any way in short - Ray is a smart guy.

Dave

 

[Carny_4_Life]

sounds pretty kewl about the 22' whale sharks i'm going to Georgia next week
anyone want to see pics of the sharks(if i'm able to take decent pictures that is)?

 

[Zoodiver]

I think I posted these on this thread somewhere, but here are two shots you don't get from the viewing window.... and I found a hammer and a zebra pic in my stash of CDs.