Atlanta Aquarium

[Uncle Salty 05]

Someone was wondering where the aquarium got it's water.
I got curious and asked.
This was the response I got:
Hi Michael,

I work in Life Support Systems here at the Aquarium. We take care of all the filtration equipment for all the water here. We make all of our saltwater here at the aquarium. We use City of Atlanta water that has been sent through carbon filtration to remove chlorine and other impurities, then we add Instant Ocean Salt mix to it, the same you would buy at a fish store but in 1 ton bags.

Most of our exhibits use saltwater mixed with the carbon filtered freshwater. For our more sensitive systems (coral tanks, jellies, etc.), we mix salt with RO water.

We generally store about 150,000 gallons of regular saltwater and 5,000 gallons of RO saltwater for use in the exhibits.


I guess Instant Ocean is preferred by people that have A LOT riding on how good their salt mix is.

 

[reeferstace]

Atlanta Aquarium is a LFS in the metro Atlanta area. I think you mean Georgia Aquarium. They are not the same thing.

 

[cakemanPA]

They would use something where they are saving a ton of money. If we save a few bucks, they save a crap ton (I believe that is the official term).

 

[clay12340]

Did you ask them why they use Instant Ocean vs Brand X? It may be assuming a lot to think that they picked it only because it offers the best results of any salt mix on the market.

I went there about 5 years ago and it was a really nice experience. I've always wanted to get a behind the scenes tour of one of those large facilities just to see how they're managing everything.

 

[Uncle Salty 05]

Atlanta Aquarium is a LFS in the metro Atlanta area. I think you mean Georgia Aquarium. They are not the same thing.

Georgia Aquarium | Where Imaginations Go To Play
225 Baker Street NW | Atlanta, GA 30313

 

[Uncle Salty 05]

Did you ask them why they use Instant Ocean vs Brand X? It may be assuming a lot to think that they picked it only because it offers the best results of any salt mix on the market.

No I didn't.
I did not feel the need.

 

[anbosu]

Someone was wondering where the aquarium got it's water.
I got curious and asked.
This was the response I got:
Hi Michael,

I work in Life Support Systems here at the Aquarium. We take care of all the filtration equipment for all the water here. We make all of our saltwater here at the aquarium. We use City of Atlanta water that has been sent through carbon filtration to remove chlorine and other impurities, then we add Instant Ocean Salt mix to it, the same you would buy at a fish store but in 1 ton bags.

Most of our exhibits use saltwater mixed with the carbon filtered freshwater. For our more sensitive systems (coral tanks, jellies, etc.), we mix salt with RO water.

We generally store about 150,000 gallons of regular saltwater and 5,000 gallons of RO saltwater for use in the exhibits.


I guess Instant Ocean is preferred by people that have A LOT riding on how good their salt mix is.

So basically the person that said they use plain tap water for their reef system was wrong.

 

[Uncle Salty 05]

Evidently.

 

[Uncle Salty 05]

They would use something where they are saving a ton of money. If we save a few bucks, they save a crap ton (I believe that is the official term).

So you actually think that if there was a better salt they wouldn' use it to save money when there is probably a billion or more $ in livestock at stake.
C'mon.

 

[MondoBongo]

So you actually think that if there was a better salt they wouldn' use it to save money when there is probably a billion or more $ in livestock at stake.
C'mon.

i can't speak for them specifically, but i know that the Pittsburgh Zoo's Aquarium is cost conscious on their salt mix.

they also use instant ocean that they mix in large "vaults" below the building. they get the salt in huge amounts for a decent whole sale price.

so, yes, they are worried about saving money on salt mix.

believe me when i say that most zoos and aquariums aren't as worried about their "common" livestock as you might think.

 

[Uncle Salty 05]

Isn't everbody?
If another salt would improve the health of their systems I believe they would change and just raise their prices to compensate.

http://www.instantocean.com/Science-and-Heritage.aspx


Nuff said.:debi:

 

[R1ant04]

LiveAquaria uses IO as well and I'm very sure they are def concerned wit quality.....

 

[Mr.Tan]

**everyone runs out and buys instant ocean salt mix now**



i've been to georgia (downtown ATL) aquarium a couple times on the road trips my dad and I take to disney world...we like to drive and go to disney haha.... clearly they do care about the well-being of the animals based on the fact that they keep 4 whale sharks and 2 manta rays, which couldn't have been cheap to get. the tanks are always flawless and everything looks so happy.

 

[cakemanPA]

So you actually think that if there was a better salt they wouldn' use it to save money when there is probably a billion or more $ in livestock at stake.

C'mon.

Better for a huge industrial aquarium... I am not sure that there is. For me... Yes there is. Glad you love the salt.

 

[HPark]

No comment on the GA aquarium (I'd like to go at some point!), but just b/c someone spends a hefty sum on the facility for a whale shark doesn't mean they take equal care of their other exhibits...I'd imagine it's one of their larger draws.

I imagine they're aquarium people are conscious about the animals in their care...the marketing people conscious about the reputation of the aquarium, the business manager conscious about the dollars and cents...somewhere they all have to meet in the middle.

Many friends who have visited had high praise for the aquarium.

 

[Uncle Salty 05]

Oh there will always be those that think that "You get what you pay for".
Even the Gieco gecko knows better.:lolspin:

 

[cakemanPA]

The aquarium there is awesome!

 

[cakemanPA]

Oh there will always be those that think that "You get what you pay for".

Even the Gieco gecko knows better.:lolspin:

Not what I said argumentative one. Great discussion point.

 

[MondoBongo]

Isn't everbody?
If another salt would improve the health of their systems I believe they would change and just raise their prices to compensate.

http://www.instantocean.com/Science-and-Heritage.aspx


Nuff said.:debi:

you can believe whatever you want, but i'll tell you from experience, many zoos and aquariums are more concerned about their bottom line. raising prices to compensate doesn't really make sense. you raise prices it drives people away. why wouldn't they just go with "good enough"?

you've obviously made up your mind, so i doubt there will be any reasoning with you, but again public institutions are not always as benevolent as they seem at first glance. trust me on this one.

 

[MondoBongo]

also, just to be 100% clear.

i have nothing against IO salt. i started my tank with it, then switched to IO Reef crystals. never had a problem with it, still don't. i've been using SeaChem ReefSalt for over a year now and have stuck with it because it mixes up well for me, tests out good in fresh batches, is easy to get, and reasonably priced for what i get.

i also don't want to be misconstrued as shaming all public aquariums/zoos or their employees.

certainly there are many excellent institutions, and a vast number of dedicated and caring individuals who look after their livestock.

but the fact remains that at the end of the day they are a business, and made up of people. businesses that need to save money, and people who can make mistakes, be apathetic, or in some cases just down right incompetent. it happens.

so while i don't personally have anything for or against instant ocean, or its products, i would strongly caution anyone to do some investigation and critical thinking before just declaring that something is great, or not great, based solely what a zoo or aquarium does. find out what works best for you.