Cold Water Marine Aquariums

[thlosey]

HI,

I know this is way off topic for this board, but I think there are some open-minded people here who might be able to help me out. I live in Maine and I have always wanted to set up an aquariun with some of the neat critters that I have seen scuba diving. I have some underwater photos on my home page that show some of the corals, anemones, fish, etc. that live in the Gulf of Maine. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone could point me to any books, Internet sites, etc., that could help me out. Thanks.

[Aquaman]

This isn't off topic at all. It sometimes seems a shame that cold water marine tanks are rare, like you observed the fish and inverts in local water are often just as breathtaking as tropical organisms. I interned at a local aquarium over the summer and our coldwater exhibits were some of my favorites.

I have thought about doing a similar thing that you are with southern California tide-pool life but I decided to scrap the whole idea for one main reason: a chiller is absolutely necessary. A small body of water will warm up quickly and the organisms you wish to keep are accustomed to cold, high- oxygen water. This is the main reason these aquariums aren't kept. If you are willing to purchase a good chiller than you might be able to set something up, but otherwise I wouldn't attempt the project.

I don't know of any good sites on this subject, there probably aren't many out there.

Hope this helps....

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Aquaman

[Reefkeeper]

Thlosey,

I dont know much about actualy setting up a cold water tank, but like most reefers who live anywhere near the coast, I have thought about it. It would be really cool to just hit the tidepools and stock your tank that way.... some of us who live in the tropics have it SOOOOOO easy!(horge! )

anyway, around here I found a guy who was selling reconditioned commercial Lobster tanks for a reasonalble price ($500) Those could easaly be something to consider. You might want so search around and see if you can find one, since you are on the lobster side of the USA. that and and Icecap 660, and I bet you would have a fantastic tank!

Gene

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" To laugh often and much, To win the respect of inteligent people and the affection of children, To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition, To know one life has breathed easier because you have lived.

THIS IS TO HAVE SUCCEEDED

As you can tell from some of the threads of late i.e. FW refugia we are pretty broad in scope here. Actually cold water tanks are something more people would get into if it wasnt for the cost of buying and running big chillers. Living in oregon I and several others would love to do a Pacific coast CW tank with local inhabitants. THey are interesting and beautiful in their own right.
My best suggestion would be search for websites from aquariums like Monterey or Newport, not familiar with East coast ones or Universities with MArine Biology programs,FWIW

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I thought I was me, but we were wrong
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