NY Aquarium at Coney Island.

[Pseudo]

Actually Elle,

The Brooklyn Aquarium has a Cancer Research Genetics Laboratory, that is studying the use of coral polyps and palythoa toxin in modern medicine. They also recieve specimens from all over the world for the advancement of medical uses. They are also affiliated and funded by a few colleges in the city for the same reason. If you ever get a chance to go upstairs to the lab (pretty cool), you will see all kinds of frags that they dont have in the tanks.

I'll admit it has been a few years since I have been upstairs and behind the scenes, but I am pretty sure they still have major backing as far as the research side is concerned. They are also one of the few facilities that still does Marine Life conservation and have had sucessful breedings from beluga whales to clownfish and anemones (rare).

The site is under-appreciated and under-funded. Blame it on Bush!

Kasei

 

[fritz]

This is sad to hear. I thought the aquarium had made some improvements in the past few years, but you are not the first to report the recent appalling state of the marine systems. In general, public aquariums don't do complex reef systems well-- Atlantis being a glorious local exception---as they are expensive and labor intensive and resources are usually thinner than you would imagine. Interestingly, the few that do it well are the ones that incorporate hobbyist techniques that are often eschewed by "professionals".
Still, there is no excuse for truly bad husbandry as you describe and the curators should be held accountable.

Perhaps MR can offer to form a team to adopt the reef exhibits and round them into shape.?

The politics involved in something like that are staggering, serioulsy. The building that houses the four reef tanks has some foundation issues so bad in fact that one of them is cracked and empty. The entire building is slated for demolition when the upgrade happens and it was kicked around to do some type of hobbyist/ renovation etc but it would have had to be temporary and to do a temporary reef of that size is pointless and wouldn't fit in with their "conservationist" theme. As was previously mentioned the strings are pulled by the parent organization and most of the blame really lies there. The employees are grossly underpaid and overworked and volunteers make up most of the maintenance staff. You get what you pay for.

 

[nsiegel5]

Hit up Atlantis Marineworld out in Riverhead and you will see some really amazing reef tanks as well as tons of other fun sea life. Great aquarium especially if you have kids or are just a big kid yourself

 

[zahner]

the idea for MR to adopt the reef tanks and bring them up our level is really a good one I think. it's such a waste of an educational resource; if people see crappy algae-filled tanks and think that's what the reefs look like, why will they care about conservation?

 

[NYreefNoob]

ny aquarium

i just went there last week and was dissapionted, mainly because of what my tank looks like and knowing what reef's look like. worst part is i spent more time driving there than i spent at the place,

 

[TimberTDI]

OT: Which would be the better aquarium to visit; Mystic or Atlantis? Also one day enough to enjoy the grounds?

Steven

 

[prattreef]

If you are a reef hobbyist and that is your primary interest, Atlantis hands down.

 

[KathyC]

Steven...be sure to do the 'behind the scenes' tour while at Atlantis - really interesting!

 

[House of Laughter]

All,

None of these organizations, public or private would exist without the contributions of the local talent and philanthropists.

What would move this agenda is for MR to loosely organize a task force that did routine inspections, maintenance, even donations of these exhibits as "volunteers" - I bet if we donated a small amount of money and agreed to do a time frame of work they would put up a plaque that said "reefs under the careful keeping of the membership of Manhattanreefs.com"

Forget position statements and politics - get off your @$$ and do something about it.

I had an ex that spent her professional career fund raising for the Wildlife Conservation Society which funds the Central Park Zoo AND the Aquarium. Action is clearly necessary - do I feel another MR Philanthropy project coming on????

House

 

[OctaviousMonk]

Atlantis first, mystic second...they have some really nice tide pool and cold water setups. The Atlanta aquarium in Georgia has most of their reef setup on loan from other aquariums or is fake while their frags and colonies grow out, that is why it doesn't look as impressive as it could considering the resources at hand. Though it can be pricey I always try and take the behind the scenes tours...that is why I know about the Atlanta reef tank.

 

[jejton]

If you're looking for an all day experience for the family, Mystic is really nice because you also have the historic seaport which is worth a trip on its own. Just plan to get out early because the traffic on the way is horrendous most days.

 

[manyfish]

the shark tank is good,dolphin show is nice.We are looking to much for a aquarium that don't have the fund and research for keeping exotic reef fish.
I see better fish in local pet shop.for reef fan their is a aquarium in long island that have a nice reef setup.come on people this is new york city, cheap to spend money on good thing,:goldfish2