Where are the best public Aquariums in the US w/ Reef Exhibits?

smleee · 03/31/2006, 11:55 AM

I'm looking for the cities with the most spectacular Reef exhibits in the US. . . (or saltwater fish exhibits)

Please post location, any photos, & aqaurium website if applicable!

Thanks!

30mini · 03/31/2006, 12:01 PM

Newport Aquarium in Norther Kentucky/Cincinnati Ohio

http://www.newportaquarium.com/

mbbuna · 03/31/2006, 12:13 PM

http://www.atlantismarineworld.com/

Chelsey · 03/31/2006, 12:22 PM

I'm fond of Waikiki Aquarium

It's not in the continental US, but it's pretty cool! Another favorite is the Baltimore aquarium. I haven't been to that one in a long time but I liked it when I was there!

smleee · 03/31/2006, 12:29 PM

thanks for the feedback everyone!

I'm going to try to make a point to visit some of your suggestions! I'd visit them all if I had the time!

sml (Shannon)

Mariner · 03/31/2006, 12:34 PM

The new Atlanta Aquarium is supposed to be awesome --haven't seen it yet, but I've heard that the curator used to be over the Waikiki Aquarium.
I have seen the Tennessee Aquarium (Chatanooga) and the Ripley's Aquarium (Gatlinburg, TN) which are both very nice but may not be THE NICEST in the country.
FWIW,

Lordhelmet · 03/31/2006, 12:34 PM

the monterey bay aquarium soesn't have the best tropical reef display, you really see better at any lfs. but it is one of the best aquariums in the world.

http://www.mbayaq.org/efc/cam_menu.asp

Mariner · 03/31/2006, 12:36 PM

Oh, here's a link. It's called the Georgia Aquarium.
Mariner

phlipper84 · 03/31/2006, 12:39 PM

It seems that many times the aquariums have beautiful fish, but do not have the time to handle more than one reef display. I often think that I might spend more time messing with my reef tank than they do theirs.

kclewis · 03/31/2006, 12:54 PM

shedd in chicago. non reef exibit - the indianapolis zoo has an awesome sea horse exibit.

smleee · 03/31/2006, 02:29 PM

Very cool! Marine tank suggestions are welcome too!

I've been to the aquariums in CA, since that's where I'm from (Long Beach & Monterey) My husband is from Boise & sadly we don't have a public aquarium here, but we have GARF!

MY favorite aquarium so far is the Long Beach Aquarium, but then again I haven't seen a lot of Marine displays.

Also, totally agree with the time spent on public displays. That's why you'll find fake corals

can't fool us right?

Nathan · 03/31/2006, 02:59 PM

Atlantis Marine World in Long Island, New York.

They have an absolutely massive reef tank!

http://www.atlantismarineworld.com

Here is a shot from their tank:

-Nathan

cj7jeep81 · 03/31/2006, 03:01 PM

I wasn't too impressed with the Newport Aquarium, but its been a couple years since I was there, so maybe it changed. The Ocean Journey aquarium in Denver was pretty cool

raynist · 03/31/2006, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Nathan
Atlantis Marine World in Long Island, New York.

They have an absolutely massive reef tank!

http://www.atlantismarineworld.com

Here is a shot from their tank:

-Nathan

A very respected person in the industry told me that for reefs, the atlantis marineworld aq is the best.

The TN aq had no real coral at all. I have heard that the Atlanta/GA aquarium doesn't have a lot of live coral at this point.

todd2000 · 03/31/2006, 04:55 PM

The only Aquariums I've been to worht mentioning are the Mystic Aquarium in CT, http://www.adventureaquarium.com/ and The NJ State Aquarium (Now called Adventure Aquarium) In Camden, NJ, http://www.adventureaquarium.com/ . I don't really remember the NJ one, but the Mystic one is nice, if I recall their reef display was very nice, and the Belugas are very cute LOL

jjwarfly · 03/31/2006, 04:59 PM

The shed Aquarium in Chicago was awesome. http://www.sheddaquarium.org/

huggett · 03/31/2006, 05:18 PM

I agree.......Shedd Aquarium in Chicago is pretty cool. I was there a couple weeks ago. The traffic will keep me from ever going back, though. I'm used to driving in traffic, but holy crap Chicago was ridiculous!

tom obrecht · 03/31/2006, 05:18 PM

Here's a few pics of the Henry Doorley Zoo in Omaha, Nebraska. Have some really nice exhibits. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=811869

saltym3 · 03/31/2006, 06:15 PM

Aquarium of the Bay in San Francisco.. 700,000 gallon walk through tank. Its unbeliable. Took some pictures when I was there last year.

Nathan · 03/31/2006, 06:56 PM

saltm3,

NICE!

(although it's not a REEF, but hey, it's still kick A$$!)

-Nathan

Nathan · 03/31/2006, 06:58 PM

By the way, I believe that the Atlantis Marine World tank is 20,000 gallons! It's something like the largest reef tank in USA and the 3rd largest worldwide. Something like that...

-Nathan

whiteshark · 03/31/2006, 07:32 PM

Could you imagine if this was a reef tank?!?!?

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/fo...2&page=1&pp=10

Billy1234 · 03/31/2006, 08:40 PM

Here are some more pictures from the Atlantis reef tank. I think it's 20,000 gallons. I was there for NERAC and couldn't help but take a lot of pictures

Some are not the best pictures though.. I'm not a very good photographer, but here goes:

Billy1234 · 03/31/2006, 08:40 PM

The left half of the tank (there is a divider in the middle)

The right half:

This one is a picture of the halides they use to light it:

Billy1234 · 03/31/2006, 08:42 PM

These next two are from the 200,000 gallon (I think) shark tank.

For size perspective, note the little girl's hands, and the woman in the reflection.

Hope you enjoyed the pictures

03/31/2006, 11:55 AM	#1
smleee Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 1,344	Where are the best public Aquariums in the US w/ Reef Exhibits? I'm looking for the cities with the most spectacular Reef exhibits in the US. . . (or saltwater fish exhibits) Please post location, any photos, & aqaurium website if applicable! Thanks!

03/31/2006, 12:01 PM	#2
30mini Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Cincinnati, Oh Posts: 10,773	Newport Aquarium in Norther Kentucky/Cincinnati Ohio http://www.newportaquarium.com/ __________________ Click the red house for my aqua notes page. Username: guest, password: 1234 Current Tank Info: 24x24x18 SPS reef

03/31/2006, 12:22 PM	#4
Chelsey Clownfish Addict Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Missouri Posts: 5,031	I'm fond of Waikiki Aquarium It's not in the continental US, but it's pretty cool! Another favorite is the Baltimore aquarium. I haven't been to that one in a long time but I liked it when I was there! __________________ Always bear in mind your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing. Current Tank Info: 100 gallon cube, 28 gallon snowflake tank, 2500 gallon broodstock system

03/31/2006, 12:34 PM	#6
Mariner Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: North Alabama Posts: 3,952	The new Atlanta Aquarium is supposed to be awesome --haven't seen it yet, but I've heard that the curator used to be over the Waikiki Aquarium. I have seen the Tennessee Aquarium (Chatanooga) and the Ripley's Aquarium (Gatlinburg, TN) which are both very nice but may not be THE NICEST in the country. FWIW, __________________ DESIGN DEMANDS A DESIGNER. ~The perception is that perception is reality, but the reality is that it isn't. Current Tank Info: 75g mixed reef; 135g mixed reef

03/31/2006, 12:34 PM	#7
Lordhelmet Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,008	the monterey bay aquarium soesn't have the best tropical reef display, you really see better at any lfs. but it is one of the best aquariums in the world. http://www.mbayaq.org/efc/cam_menu.asp __________________ I need a new signiture Current Tank Info: 90 gallon, 14 gallon

03/31/2006, 12:13 PM	#3
mbbuna Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 6,847	http://www.atlantismarineworld.com/

03/31/2006, 12:29 PM	#5
smleee Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 1,344	thanks for the feedback everyone! I'm going to try to make a point to visit some of your suggestions! I'd visit them all if I had the time! sml (Shannon)

03/31/2006, 12:36 PM	#8
Mariner Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: North Alabama Posts: 3,952	Oh, here's a link. It's called the Georgia Aquarium. Mariner __________________ DESIGN DEMANDS A DESIGNER. ~The perception is that perception is reality, but the reality is that it isn't. Current Tank Info: 75g mixed reef; 135g mixed reef

03/31/2006, 12:39 PM	#9
phlipper84 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 1,024	It seems that many times the aquariums have beautiful fish, but do not have the time to handle more than one reef display. I often think that I might spend more time messing with my reef tank than they do theirs.

03/31/2006, 12:54 PM	#10
kclewis REEFER Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Beautiful Bargersville, IN Posts: 383	shedd in chicago. non reef exibit - the indianapolis zoo has an awesome sea horse exibit. __________________ #RageRestRepeat \mm/

03/31/2006, 02:29 PM	#11
smleee Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 1,344	Very cool! Marine tank suggestions are welcome too! I've been to the aquariums in CA, since that's where I'm from (Long Beach & Monterey) My husband is from Boise & sadly we don't have a public aquarium here, but we have GARF! MY favorite aquarium so far is the Long Beach Aquarium, but then again I haven't seen a lot of Marine displays. Also, totally agree with the time spent on public displays. That's why you'll find fake corals can't fool us right?

03/31/2006, 02:59 PM	#12
Nathan Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Newtown, Pa., USA Posts: 1,454	Atlantis Marine World in Long Island, New York. They have an absolutely massive reef tank! http://www.atlantismarineworld.com Here is a shot from their tank: -Nathan

03/31/2006, 03:01 PM	#13
cj7jeep81 Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 795	I wasn't too impressed with the Newport Aquarium, but its been a couple years since I was there, so maybe it changed. The Ocean Journey aquarium in Denver was pretty cool

03/31/2006, 04:55 PM	#15
todd2000 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: VA Posts: 706	The only Aquariums I've been to worht mentioning are the Mystic Aquarium in CT, http://www.adventureaquarium.com/ and The NJ State Aquarium (Now called Adventure Aquarium) In Camden, NJ, http://www.adventureaquarium.com/ . I don't really remember the NJ one, but the Mystic one is nice, if I recall their reef display was very nice, and the Belugas are very cute LOL

03/31/2006, 04:59 PM	#16
jjwarfly Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Orlando Posts: 97	The shed Aquarium in Chicago was awesome. http://www.sheddaquarium.org/

03/31/2006, 05:18 PM	#17
huggett Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: S. E. Wisconsin Posts: 314	I agree.......Shedd Aquarium in Chicago is pretty cool. I was there a couple weeks ago. The traffic will keep me from ever going back, though. I'm used to driving in traffic, but holy crap Chicago was ridiculous!

03/31/2006, 05:18 PM	#18
tom obrecht Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: WI Posts: 3,014	Here's a few pics of the Henry Doorley Zoo in Omaha, Nebraska. Have some really nice exhibits. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=811869

03/31/2006, 06:15 PM	#19
saltym3 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Miami Posts: 274	Aquarium of the Bay in San Francisco.. 700,000 gallon walk through tank. Its unbeliable. Took some pictures when I was there last year.

03/31/2006, 06:56 PM	#20
Nathan Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Newtown, Pa., USA Posts: 1,454	saltm3, NICE! (although it's not a REEF, but hey, it's still kick A$$!) -Nathan

03/31/2006, 06:58 PM	#21
Nathan Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Newtown, Pa., USA Posts: 1,454	By the way, I believe that the Atlantis Marine World tank is 20,000 gallons! It's something like the largest reef tank in USA and the 3rd largest worldwide. Something like that... -Nathan

03/31/2006, 07:32 PM	#22
whiteshark Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bethlehem, PA Posts: 3,024	Could you imagine if this was a reef tank?!?!? http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/fo...2&page=1&pp=10 __________________ Deep Blue 60 gallon cube: Setup in progress.

03/31/2006, 08:40 PM	#23
Billy1234 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 417	Here are some more pictures from the Atlantis reef tank. I think it's 20,000 gallons. I was there for NERAC and couldn't help but take a lot of pictures Some are not the best pictures though.. I'm not a very good photographer, but here goes: __________________ "Your mom goes to college." Current Tank Info: 20g

03/31/2006, 08:42 PM	#25
Billy1234 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 417	These next two are from the 200,000 gallon (I think) shark tank. For size perspective, note the little girl's hands, and the woman in the reflection. Hope you enjoyed the pictures __________________ "Your mom goes to college." Current Tank Info: 20g