Out-there question

[llowwelll]

A few years ago, I went snorkelling and skin diving in the Marshall Islands out in the central Pacific. I've seen a lot of really cool stuff all around the world before, but that had to be the single most beautiful thing I've ever seen. Seemingly millions of every kind of fish you can imagine and corals everywhere. I was blown away. Far from any tourist attraction it was absolutely amazing. After that I was thinking that it's too bad most people don't get to experience something like that. One day I was reflecting on it and thought that it'd be really cool (and outlandishly expensive) if there were some sort of setup in places like Iowa or Manitoba where people who don't live close to a tropical reef could experience one. So, my question is has anyone ever heard of someone or some company trying to set up some sort of very large (like maybe Olympic swimming pool size or larger) reef system that would allow folks on a limited basis to swim/dive on it? I know it's a crazy question but thought I'd just throw it out there. BTW, I have seen the pictures of the guy in Michigan with a 4000 gal tank swimming in it.

 

[Anonymous]

I think Sea world is in Ohio but have never heard of a facility that allows swimmers. Chicago has Scripps(SP?) I think I read somewhere Mall of America in St. Paul has a huge reef set up, could be off on that one though.

 

[davelin315]

What is Scripps? Never heard of it, and you have piqued my curiosity.

Otherwise, I have never heard of a living reef anywhere that is the size you are talking about, although I will one day have it done. I think it's just too difficult to do in a landlocked situation.

 

[Mac1]

I think he was referring to the Scripp's Institute. They have a research facility and do all kins of things with then ocean. Definitely worth checking into.

- Mac

 

[Anonymous]

There is a place in Florida near Disney that has something like this. Big tidepool like ponds full of reef fish that you can swim among. Sorry, I haven't been there and can't remember the name. The coral would't be able to stand up to even small numbers of people in that restricted space, I imagine.