Georgia Aquarium visit.

[Der ABT]

Well was down racing at Road atlanta (follow the link in the sig to see vids and pics) and with a ton of rain on sunday and me not having a set of rain tires (yet) we decided to hit up the aquarium that was about 40min from the track. We were leaving so didnt have a ton of time to spend there before a long drive hom but figured id give a quick write up and share some pics.
Got there with the wife and daughter so forgive the humans in the pics
started off in the reef area and figured wed save the big tank for last(6.3 mill gal) they had some cool tanks here and there but nothign really wowed me at first, (nice jelly tanks though) and it was packed so getting around was kinda annoying.
but then we came into a room with this tank

really amazing design that reminded me of the way some beaches go from deep to shallow. the yellow tangs were nuts, had to be well over 1000. some really great fish in there, and alot of large what look liked chalice and other "hardy" corals like softies and monti caps.
this wrasse was GINORMOUS i know someone will know what it is.

this was the only real pics i took as the rest was didnt have a wow factor to me not that it wasnt nice and cool to see but.
next came the big tank (after we got back the little car someones kid took, lucky the dad brought it back)

 

[Der ABT]

the big tank, 2 whale sharks, hammerheads, 2 mantas, grouper, etc etc ill let the pics do the talking after this short blurb. 2 foot acrylic, cool walk thru tank with portholes/viewing areas all around and one big open acrylic tunnel. you can dive in this tank if you pay for it.

sorry if blurry didnt have time before the next mob came to play with settings.

then came the big room, this was just an amazing view, the tank is 25 or 30ft deep i think it was. got there just in time for feeding.

 

[Der ABT]

then came the freaking sweet part of the trip. Behind the scenes, saw a guy (Grant) who worked there walking around and wanted to see if there was any more coral exhibits.....No but what are you guys doing here where you from, do you have some time?? yes you do great follow me we will go behind the scenes... :clap: :clap: :lol2: :cool:
so in the tank with the tangs 61 1000w many diff bulbs, cool mangrove and bamboo shark nursery, breeding facility,wave generator,
and skimmers that make the one in justins garage that is what 8 feet tall....look like its for a nano.
again so many pics with fewer words works...ask any questions and hopefully i can anwser...talked alot of shop with Grant and man made the day.

notice the skimmer top on the top left of pic below

Grant on left

here is the album for those pics i missed
Georgia Aquaurim[/url]

 

[akabryanhall]

Wow looks like you had an awesome time! Def one of my favorite aquariums!!

 

[fsu1dolfan]

Great pics thanks for sharing!! I have heard ATL's aquarium is one of the best. I have been trying to make a trip to visit family and go.
Sweet VIP access btw...that skimmer is outta control!! :tongue:

 

[Captain Nemo]

I saw the skimmer you are talking about and its like the size of my grand cherokee, just to give eceryone an idea...... its awesome!@!!!

 

[Der ABT]

the skimmer stood at least 20 ft tall if not 25...i asked how often they had to clean to collection cup and he didnt know offhand and the maintenance guy was in the middle of something....still just nuts
i have been told that the main tanks filtration is able to cycle the entire volume (6.3mil gallons) in 45 minutes. :tongue: now thats gotta be some large diameter pipes

 

[tangboy]

I have taken my 8th grade class on their end-of-the-year trip down there several years in a row and they love it. They still don't understand why I spend so much time in the "reef room" but staring at that many tangs just mesmerizes me :) thanks for the trip down memory lane!

 

[CJO]

I really have to take a trip down there with the family. That's a great looking exhibit. Thanks for sharing.

CJ

 

[swannyson7]

I've been trying to convice my wife to go here on a vacation for years. Has anyone ever gone on the diving tour in the whale shark tank?

 

[Captain Nemo]

I have not but I want to!!!! They said it was an experience not to be missed. Going to try it next time I go!!

 

[swannyson7]

I have not but I want to!!!! They said it was an experience not to be missed. Going to try it next time I go!!

There's a couple videos on youtube of people diving there and it looks incredible. My wife won't go on a live aboard dive boat for a week because she gets sea sick, but I'll take what I can get as long as it involves diving of some sort!