Visit to the Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans, Aquarium Tank Materials, and Aquatic Plants
By: Stephen M. Seabrook
Visit to the Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans. Hurricane Katrina damage in New Orleans wasn't restricted just to land and people. The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas suffered major losses as well with some referring to it as a "giant fish morgue." Workers stated that it was very distressing to see the large number of fish and aquatic animals that were killed by the flooding. Fortunately, this is only one of several aquariums that are part of the Audubon Society as well as many others throughout the United States that pitched in to help when Hurricane Katrina struck.
The Penguin Exhibit was sent to California along with Buck and Emma, their two much-beloved sea otters. The 19 penguins and two otters arrived at their temporary home and went through a two-week quarantine period before they were allowed to march for the public again. The quarantine is a normal activity for any animals brought into new aquariums which protects the safety and health of the newcomers and the current residents.
After their homes at the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas was completely repaired, they were flown home courtesy of FedEx. While the majority of the repairs have been completed to the aquarium, the Audubon Aquarium is still asking for public support to maintain the site. One way you can do this is to adopt a sea animal. Go to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas website to get further information on this.
Don't be surprised to find that there is no snow in the Penguin exhibit when you go to see them. This colony of penguins features African Black-Footed Penguins and Rockhoppers, neither of which actually live in the Arctic. As a matter of fact, only two of the 17 species of penguins in the world live in the Arctic! So, the next time you are in New Orleans, the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is a must-see attraction.
Aquarium Tank Materials
There are several types of aquariums on the market to choose from like plastic, plexiglas or regular glass. Glass is the preferred but heavier as it does not scratch easily and maintains its crystal clarify but cannot be shaped beyond traditional designs. On the other hand aquariums made of plastic or plexiglas can be made in any shape you wish, allowing for more specific designs for your home or business. They can be round, square, or triangular with built-in filters or arches. Once again, you are only limited by your imagination.
Don't think that because it is plastic, it will be cheaper. Plastic aquariums, especially those that are custom made, can be quite expensive. The kind of aquarium you purchase depends highly on your tastes, budget, and the type of fish you want. You can purchase everything you want from the perfect aquarium to furniture specifically designed to enhance the beauty of your water world.
Originally, aquariums were made with aluminum frames; however, most are now made by gluing the glass together with silicone rubber. This is much less expensive than framed aquariums. When properly sealed, they can last quite well for years. It is HIGHLY advisable that any aquarium be filled with water and tested for leaks before relocating, installing or placing any decorations on it. So remember, a beautifully decorated aquarium will be very irritating if you find out after spending a lot of time and money on it that it leaks!
Making an aquarium of glass at home is very easy. However, by the time you add up the cost of the glass and the rubber silicone, they are seldom cheaper. Your least expensive aquariums are those purchased at a pet store or shopping center. While purchasing an aquarium at a yard sale or secondhand store can save you large amounts of money, be sure to test them for leaks before decorating them. It is easy to reseal an aquarium using rubber silicone purchased at any pet supply store.
Aquatic Plants
In addition to creating gas exchanges (oxygen and carbon dioxide) through photosynthesis, plants divide the free-water space to allow fish to establish their territory and to provide a hiding place from other fish. It is unknown why fish need a large variety of places to hide; however, they feel more secure and this security will also give us a greater opportunity to view them.
When you create hiding places for your fish, make them so that you can see inside them. I once spend $49 on a fish who hid behind and under a rock (I never saw him again without doing aerobics). Regardless of the ecological value of plants in an aquarium, the main reason most aquarists put plants in is for decoration. Just like house plants, we love to look at a well-planted aquarium; it is, after all, our underwater garden.
Fish don't care if their plants are real or plastic; in breeding tanks, plastic plants can even be more rational. Another advantage to plastic plants is that they don't have to be thinned or fertilized, and with the quality available today, aquariums can be planted completely in plastic and no one will be able to tell the difference.
Here are a few considerations when choosing plants for your aquarium:
* How much light does it need?
* What are the temperature requirements for this plant?
* Will it remain small and fit in the foreground, or will it get large and need to be relegated to the back of the tank?
* Will the plant work by itself, or should it be grouped?
* Is it a floater, or does it need to be planted?
* Will it grow up and out of the aquarium and require constant trimming and attention?
* How much will this plant cost?
These are questions you will need to answer before purchasing the plants you wish to have in your tank.
Stephen M. Seabrook, MBA President, Nice Specialty Gifts, L.L.C. http://www.nicespecialtygifts4u.com Buy the best without spending the most for anniversary gifts, unusual personalized gifts, or unique gifts when you shop our 3.6 million gift superstore! What would it mean for you to go from $.00 dollars to having thousands of dollars in your checking account is just a few weeks? Come and see here, at: http://worldlargestbusinessfranchise.com/stesea532/
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