What's Cooking at the Zoo?

This site details the process our club went through to set up a public display at our local zoo.

Winter 03/04 - The reef is progressing nicely. The fish count has slowly increased to more than 20, and numerous corals (mostly donated) are filling in nicely. We are dealing with the common nuisance algae outbreaks, and have had a few "minor" setbacks like controller issues and the sump splitting at a seam. Over all, all of the people involved are pleased with our progress!

Fall 2003 - The lighting cycle is at the 12hr per day target. Test levels are all in check. Allen has donated many nice colonies in lieu of an upcoming house move, with little complaining from our limited livestock budget!

August 2003 - Cleanup crew added (150 snails and misc. inverts). A pair of false percs salvaged from the prior tank were the first fish added. The aquacontroller was added, and several loose ends were tied.

July 2003 - Dave designed and built a canopy to keep curious hands and faces out of the tank. By mid-month we were ready to wet test the system. Tap water was added and all the pumps started for a 3 day run. Asides from several thread leaks, the system worked beautifully. On the 22th, we drained and started an RO/DI refill. Three 200 gallon buckets of IO salt was added on the 25th. Then on Sunday, July 27th, Tom placed the first piece of liverock into the thin sand bed at 6:30pm. We drained most of the tank water into containers to make the rock stacking easier). Five hours and 500 lbs later, the Seneca Park Zoo Reef Aquarium was officially "alive" at 11:42pm!

June 2003 - Several URS members met at the Zoo the first weekend to place the stand, lower the light rack, and lift the tank on the stand. The 'empty box' weighed in around 1400lbs, and was awkward to staff enough handlers due to its size. A hoist raised the tank, and several layers of plastic sheet allowed the bottom to surprisingly slide into position. The plastic worked so well that even one person could slide the tank around on the stand!
Then our luck turned as Mark noticed a 2-3" corner fracture that elluded our initial inspections! We decided to continue with the install, and would talk with the tank manufacturer the next day. He wanted pictures, and though hesitant, offered that a clean "oyster fracture" wasn't structurally compromising. The recommendation was to silicone in a set of 3" wide glass cleats for reinforcement (both sides for symmetry). We also attached aluminum angle bracing on the outside front corners so we'd all sleep better. In the end, they tank was surely stronger than new.
As the month progressed, Brian, Doug, Carl, and Dave continued setting up. There were plenty of issues (like the drilled drain holes in the tank not lining up with the stand, and the return line failing to break siphon if the pumps shut down) but we plugged away. Mark installed the skimmer and designed the internal plumbing parts, and Rick built Durso Mods for all 6 overflows.

May 2003 - Progress continues on the stand and initial plumbing, Carl starts electrical work, and Doug fabricates a lightrack for the 5 MH pendants and 8 fluorescent lamps that will be suspended over the tank.
Our original completion date was June 1st... Though we officially blame it on the tank delay, we basically underestimated the amount of work that had to be done (or over-estimated the amount of help there'd be). The plans were updated to keep the project moving foward, such that when the tank was finally delivered at the end of the month, the remaining work would be minimal.

April 2003 - We were advised that the aquarium arrived in NY broken! The tank was returned to the manufacturer. A replacement was ordered, but delays ensued.

March 2003 - We have broken ground as the zoo staff removed the existing tank and we re-located a closet door that was interfering with our plans. The old stand was torn down (salvaging where possible) and the new location was taped onto the floor. Dave completed the stand by month's end.

February 2003 - After a few weeks of discussions and arguments over tank design, the aquarium was ordered. It will be 560 gallon (120"L X 36"W X 30"H)glass Inter-American tank. Delivery date will be some time in April. System design began.

January 2003 - As it stands now we have raised only one-half of the estimated $10,000 needed to complete our project. Half the group says we should use what funding we have to do what we can, the other half says if it can't be done as planned, we shouldn't do it.
As the water started boiling, Doug saves the day by directly approaching various equipment manufacturers instead of local businesses. Before you knew it, pumps, sumps, and piece-parts were filling up our garages!

December 2002 - Morale drops, as our financial leads are wearing thin!

November 2002 -Fund raising continues

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