Capt_Cully
Active member
Well, after about 2 years of letters, emails, and phone calls. We were finally allowed to get in and help revamp the 180 gallon reef tank display at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse. I have to say that we helped the normal staff do it, because it's a government funded entity. If we're doing it for free, the county won't be paying people to do it for very long. So, we did/directed the revamp and now it's their baby.
The old reef was a pitiful sight. Wall of base rock, lots of exposed PVC, little flow, 2 trachy brains, one small leather, a HUGE 24x24in brown monti crap, and a 4 inch, 10 year old sand bed. Other livestock included a huge damsel, coral banded shrimp, and a reclusive hippo tang.
We removed all of the livestock, rock, and the sand bed. On cleaning the tank we discovered that the front seams had NO silicone. It had virtually worn away. After some debate, and learning that it's center brace had also long since been broken....we went back to ABC Reefs and grabbed a new 180. It took some doing, but now they have a brand spanking new 180 with glass-holes overflow and lock line returns, vs over hanging PVC everywhere.
Tim also got vendors to donate a brand new Vortech, and a Bermuda skimmer is on the way. We re-scaped it with cured Marco Rocks and new sand. Fish are in a temp holding area, corals are back in. I don't have pictures as we didn't anticipate it being this involved.
The zookeepers were extremely appreciative of their new toy and should no doubt, with a little tutelage, have a very nice reef tank.
They have almost NO BUDGET for new livestock. I know ABC will be helping, I have some corals to donate as well. If you have anything (corals) you'd like to donate, please let me know, or get in touch with Tim at ABC. They're off to a great new start. With a little help from local hobbiests, we can make this tank shine.
Being at the zoo for almost 8 hours, I can attest to the Ooohs and Ahhs the other SW tank got. It only has 2 clowns in it and kids just go nuts for it.
Cully
The old reef was a pitiful sight. Wall of base rock, lots of exposed PVC, little flow, 2 trachy brains, one small leather, a HUGE 24x24in brown monti crap, and a 4 inch, 10 year old sand bed. Other livestock included a huge damsel, coral banded shrimp, and a reclusive hippo tang.
We removed all of the livestock, rock, and the sand bed. On cleaning the tank we discovered that the front seams had NO silicone. It had virtually worn away. After some debate, and learning that it's center brace had also long since been broken....we went back to ABC Reefs and grabbed a new 180. It took some doing, but now they have a brand spanking new 180 with glass-holes overflow and lock line returns, vs over hanging PVC everywhere.
Tim also got vendors to donate a brand new Vortech, and a Bermuda skimmer is on the way. We re-scaped it with cured Marco Rocks and new sand. Fish are in a temp holding area, corals are back in. I don't have pictures as we didn't anticipate it being this involved.
The zookeepers were extremely appreciative of their new toy and should no doubt, with a little tutelage, have a very nice reef tank.
They have almost NO BUDGET for new livestock. I know ABC will be helping, I have some corals to donate as well. If you have anything (corals) you'd like to donate, please let me know, or get in touch with Tim at ABC. They're off to a great new start. With a little help from local hobbiests, we can make this tank shine.
Being at the zoo for almost 8 hours, I can attest to the Ooohs and Ahhs the other SW tank got. It only has 2 clowns in it and kids just go nuts for it.
Cully
. I would love to donate him to the Zoo. 
