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The experience of viewing the
aquarium between the boardwalks is remarkable. Because of the two levels, people on the upper
deck look down on the tank with 3-foot-high x 4”-thick cast
acrylic sides, while those on the lower deck see into it through
7-foot-high x 4-inches thick cast acrylic walls. This double vantage
will create extraordinary cross views of the numerous river fish which,
hitherto, have been invisible -
more
than 100 species of fish including sturgeon (an endangered specie), bass,
flounder, crabs and eels, etc.
The four hundred foot
long, eight foot wide, seven foot deep horizontal aquarium between the
boardwalks will be a closed life support system with salt-water make up
and recovery. BIOS, LLC of Bainbridge Island, WA estimated that
the aquarium’s entire 130,000 gallons of saltwater will be turned over
every sixty minutes with a 2,167 gallon flow rate. Water
temperature will be maintained at between 62-72 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Because of the
extreme temperatures in winter, low visitation, high costs for
heating the water and related maintenance problems, the aquatic exhibit
would be drained, cleaned, and covered when temperatures fall below
freezing. A 3,500sf x 12 feet high equipment room will be
needed, located under the circular island at the end of the pier, with
an adjoining space for animal husbandry and marine life-holding.
Both will be serviced by an elevator from the lower floor to the island
deck. |
