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87-732: The Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea (formerly known as the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre ) is a not-for-profit community aquarium and cultural learning centre dedicated to the ecosystem of the Salish Sea . It is located on the waterfront in the town of Sidney on Vancouver Island in British Columbia , Canada . Since its grand opening on June 20, 2009, the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea has become

174-472: A saltwater aquarium , though he did not use the term. In 1846, Anne Thynne maintained stony corals and seaweed for almost three years, and was credited as the creator of the first balanced marine aquarium in London. English chemist Robert Warington experimented with a 13-gallon container, which contained goldfish, eelgrass , and snails , creating one of the first stable aquaria. The aquarium principle

261-645: A talking stick presented to Nelson Mandela . Thirty of his pieces belong to the permanent art collection of the University of Victoria. In 2005 he was awarded the Order of British Columbia . In 2013 he was inducted into the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts . His artwork remains the logo of the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea and can be seen at the entrance to this aquarium dedicated to

348-414: A 400-litre (110 US gal; 88 imp gal) tank with many other fish in it represents only a minor change. For this reason, hobbyists often favor larger tanks, as they require less attention. Several nutrient cycles are important in the aquarium. Dissolved oxygen enters the system at the surface water-air interface. Similarly, carbon dioxide escapes the system into the air. The phosphate cycle

435-1166: A challenge to recreate such environments, and most "true" biotopes will only have a few (if not only one) species of fish and invertebrates. Finally, an emerging concept for the home is that of a wall mounted aquarium, some of which are displayed at the Living Art Marine Center . An aquarium can range from a small glass bowl containing less than 1 litre (2.1 US pt) of water to immense public aquaria that house entire ecosystems such as kelp forests . Relatively large home aquaria resist rapid fluctuations of temperature and pH , allowing for greater system stability. Beginner aquarists are advised to consider larger tanks to begin with, as controlling water parameters in smaller tanks can prove difficult. Small, unfiltered bowl-shaped aquaria are now widely regarded as unsuitable for most fish. In order to keep water conditions at suitable levels, aquariums should contain at least two forms of filtration : biological and mechanical. Chemical filtration should also be considered under some circumstances for optimum water quality. Chemical filtration

522-420: A circular, submerged lid. Pseudokreisels are "U" or semicircle shaped, usually without a lid. Stretch kreisels are a "double gyre" kreisel design, where the tank length is at least twice the height. Using two downwelling inlets on both sides of the tank lets gravity create two gyres in the tank. A single downwelling inlet may be used in the middle as well. The top of a stretch kreisel may be open or closed with

609-425: A cooler environment. Temperature consistency is more important than range. Most organisms are not accustomed to sudden changes in temperatures, which can cause shock and lead to disease. Water temperature can be regulated with a thermostat and heater (or cooler). Water movement can also be important in simulating a natural ecosystem. Aquarists may prefer anything from still water up to swift currents , depending on

696-444: A dazzling aquarium is one of the last surefire ways to impress their peers." A kreisel tank ( kreisel being German for " spinning top " or " gyroscope ") is an aquarium shaped like a horizontal cylinder that is designed to hold delicate animals such as jellyfish and newborn seahorses. These aquariums provide slow, circular water flow with a bare minimum of interior hardware to prevent the inhabitants from becoming injured by pumps or

783-452: A highly regarded environmental education centre, as well as a popular attraction frequented by tourists and locals alike. The centre has won numerous awards, including being named "One of Canada's Top Ten New Attractions" for summer 2009 by Where magazine. The development of the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea started in 2004, when the Town of Sidney approved the development proposal to build

870-494: A large jug into a carved wooden bowl under a shaft of light while the Coast Salish members present blessed and dedicated the aquarium to understanding between peoples and shared respect for the ocean. As the water poured the lighting in the aquarium habitats was increased to reveal the wonders of the Salish Sea surrounding the assembly. At noon the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea opened to the public. Over 1,600 people visited

957-486: A large procession around the building with a traditional paddle song. The song is still used in the aquarium today with the permission of the Sampson family. After the ceremonial cutting of the kelp "ribbon" the first two visitors to enter the centre were two children, accompanied by Céline Cousteau. Once the darkened aquarium was full to capacity with invited guests, Phoenix, April and Céline Cousteau began to pour water from

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1044-399: A lid. There may also be screens about midway down the sides of the tank, or at the top on the sides. It is possible to combine these designs; a circular shaped tank is used without a lid or cover, and the surface of the water acts as the continuation of circular flow. Another popular setup is the biotope aquarium. A biotope aquarium is a recreation of a specific natural environment. Some of

1131-441: A marking behind her dorsal fin. A9 was the matriarch of her pod and was found dead in 1990. Her articulated remains are on display along with the skull of J18, or Everett, a southern resident orca . J18 died in 2000, and his death is attributed to the biomagnification of PCBs . The display includes signage explaining the impact of bioaccumulation and biomagnification within orcas of the Salish Sea . The Feature Gallery found at

1218-736: A meeting held at the Mary Winspear Centre on December 14, 2005. Matthews was appointed as the first executive director of the society. His mandate was to finalize the concept, produce plans and budgets for both construction and operations, direct and participate in the fundraising campaign, oversee construction of the facility, develop a branding, marketing and communications program, and have a fully operational aquarium staffed, stocked and ready to open in 31 months by June 20, 2009. Early in 2006, founding board member and fundraising chair, Clive Tanner asked if community leaders and philanthropists, Murray and Lynda Farmer, would agree to co-chair

1305-514: A natural water source (such as a river, lake, or ocean) to reduce the level of treatment. Some hobbyists use an algae scrubber to filter the water naturally. Water temperature determines the two most basic aquarium classifications: tropical versus cold water . Most fish and plant species tolerate only a limited temperature range; tropical aquaria, with an average temperature of about 25 °C (77 °F), are much more common. Temperate or coldwater aquaria are for fish that are better suited to

1392-433: A popular choice for many home and hobbyist aquarists for many years. Once silicone sealant became strong enough to ensure a long-term water-tight seal, it eliminated the need for a structural frame. In addition to lower cost, glass aquaria are more scratch resistant than acrylic. Although the price is one of the main considerations for aquarists when deciding which of these two types of aquaria to purchase, for very large tanks,

1479-465: A small glass bowl, a few liters in volume, to immense public aquaria of thousands of liters. Specialized equipment maintains appropriate water quality and other characteristics suitable for the aquarium's residents. In 1369, the Hongwu Emperor of China established a porcelain company that produced large porcelain tubs for maintaining goldfish ; over time, people produced tubs that approached

1566-412: A survey of other facilities, engaged in community consultations and developed a vision statement. In November 2005 the board hired Angus Matthews to assess the information the board had acquired and provide concept for the new facility. Matthews became a catalyst for action and presented the board with a proposal for a $ 5 million aquarium of the Salish Sea. The concept was then introduced to the community at

1653-401: A tank by diluting effects from death or contamination events that push an aquarium away from equilibrium. The bigger the tank, the easier such a systemic shock is to absorb, because the effects of that event are diluted. For example, the death of the only fish in an 11-litre (3 US gal; 2 imp gal) tank causes dramatic changes in the system, while the death of that same fish in

1740-449: A tropical temperature and requires less capacity from an aquarium heater. Acrylic-soluble cements are used to directly fuse acrylic together. Acrylic allows for the formation of unusual shapes, such as the hexagonal tank. Acrylics are easier to scratch than glass, but unlike glass, scratches in acrylic can be polished out. Large aquaria might instead use stronger materials such as fiberglass -reinforced plastics . However, this material

1827-719: A volunteer campaign cabinet to launch the Discover Your Ocean Campaign. With the Farmer's leadership, the campaign was launched in September 2006 and completed on April 20, 2009. Major donations to the fundraising campaign included a $ 2.5 million gift from the Shaw Charitable Committee , a $ 2 million grant from Canada/BC Rural Municipal Infrastructure Fund, and $ 1.5 million in private donations from individuals and companies in

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1914-457: A wooden bird blind offers children the chance to spot local avian life in painted form. Aquarium The aquarium principle was fully developed in 1850 by the chemist Robert Warington , who explained that plants added to water in a container would give off enough oxygen to support animals, so long as the numbers of animals did not grow too large. The aquarium craze was launched in early Victorian England by Gosse, who created and stocked

2001-431: Is an important, although often overlooked, nutrient cycle. Sulfur, iron, and micronutrients also cycle through the system, entering as food and exiting as waste. Appropriate handling of the nitrogen cycle , along with supplying an adequately balanced food supply and considered biological loading, is enough to keep these other nutrient cycles in approximate equilibrium. An aquarium must be maintained regularly to ensure that

2088-436: Is frequently achieved via activated carbon , to filter medications, tannins , and/or other known impurities from the water. Reef aquaria under 100 litres (26 US gal; 22 imp gal) have a special place in the aquarium hobby; these aquaria, termed nano reefs (when used in reefkeeping), have a small water volume, under 40 litres (11 US gal; 9 imp gal). Practical limitations, most notably

2175-614: Is keeping them in a wall. Here the use of plywood is hidden by sinking the aquarium inside the wall. Putting insulation between the two helps with the insulation of a heated tank. Objects used for aquariums include: coffee tables, sinks, and even toilets. Another such example is the MacQuarium , an aquarium made from the shell of an Apple Macintosh computer . In recent years, elaborate custom-designed home aquariums costing hundreds of thousands of dollars have become status symbols—according to The New York Times , "among people of means,

2262-499: Is most often addressed through two filtration solutions: Activated carbon filters absorb nitrogen compounds and other toxins , while biological filters provide a medium designed to enhance bacterial colonization . Activated carbon and other substances, such as ammonia absorbing resins, stop working when their pores fill, so these components have to be replaced regularly. Charles W. Elliott Charles W. Elliott OBC RCA or Charles Elliott Termosen (1943 – 2023)

2349-471: Is not transparent. Reinforced concrete is used for aquaria where weight and space are not factors. Concrete must be coated with a waterproof layer to prevent the water from breaking down the concrete, as well as preventing contamination of the water by the concrete. Plywood can also be used when building aquaria. The benefits of using plywood include: lower construction costs, less weight, and better insulation. A popular positioning choice for plywood aquaria

2436-478: Is only a portion of the complete cycle: nitrogen must be added to the system (usually through food provided to the tank inhabitants), and nitrates accumulate in the water at the end of the process, or become bound in the biomass of plants. The aquarium keeper must remove water once nitrate concentrations grow, or remove plants which have grown from the nitrates. Hobbyist aquaria often do not have sufficient bacteria populations to adequately denitrify waste. This problem

2523-518: Is the most basic measure of water conditions. An aquarium may have freshwater (salinity below 500 parts per million), simulating a lake or river environment; brackish water (a salt level of 500 to 30,000 PPM), simulating environments lying between fresh and salt, such as estuaries ; and salt water or seawater (a salt level of 30,000 to 40,000 PPM), simulating an ocean environment. Rarely, higher salt concentrations are maintained in specialized tanks for raising brine organisms. Saltwater

2610-415: Is to have very small aquariums, termed mini aquariums (less than 150 litres or 40 gallons) or nano aquariums (less than 75 litres or 20 gallons). These can be either freshwater or saltwater, and are intended to display a tiny but self-contained ecosystem. The typical hobbyist aquarium includes a filtration system, an artificial lighting system, an air diffuser and pump, and a heater or chiller depending on

2697-499: Is toxic to fish in high concentrations. Another type of bacteria (genus Nitrospira ) converts nitrite into nitrate , a less toxic substance. ( Nitrobacter bacteria were previously believed to fill this role. While biologically they could theoretically fill the same niche as Nitrospira , it has recently been found that Nitrobacter are not present in detectable levels in established aquaria, while Nitrospira are plentiful.) However, commercial products sold as kits to "jump start"

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2784-541: Is usually alkaline, while the pH ( alkalinity or acidity ) of fresh water varies more. Hardness measures overall dissolved mineral content; hard or soft water may be preferred. Hard water is usually alkaline, while soft water is usually neutral to acidic. Dissolved organic content and dissolved gases content are also important factors. Home aquarists typically use tap water supplied through their local water supply network to fill their tanks. Straight tap water cannot be used in localities that pipe chlorinated water. In

2871-826: The Great Exhibition of 1851. In 1853, the aquarium craze was launched in England by Philip Henry Gosse who created and stocked the first public aquarium in the London Zoo which came to be known as the Fish House. Gosse coined the word "aquarium", opting for this term (instead of "aquatic vivarium" or "aqua-vivarium") in 1854 in his book The Aquariums: An Unveiling of the Wonders of the Deep Water . In this book, Gosse primarily discussed saltwater aquaria. In

2958-554: The Victorian era in the United Kingdom, a common design for the home aquarium was a glass front with the other sides made of wood (made watertight with a pitch coating). The bottom would be made of slate and heated from below. More advanced systems soon began to be introduced, along with tanks of glass in metal frames. During the latter half of the 19th century, a variety of aquarium designs were explored, such as hanging

3045-611: The aquascaping designs of Takashi Amano influencing fishkeepers to treat home aquariums as aesthetically pleasing compositions, rather than simply as a way of displaying fish specimens. In the United States, as of 1996, aquarium keeping is the second-most popular hobby after stamp collecting . In 1999, an estimated 9.6 million US households owned an aquarium. Figures from the 2005/2006 APPMA National Pet Owners Survey report that Americans own approximately 139 million freshwater fish and 9.6 million saltwater fish. Estimates of

3132-447: The gravel , or other substrate if the aquarium has one; however some manage to avoid this entirely by keeping it somewhat self-sufficient. A good habit is to remove the water being replaced by "vacuuming" the gravel with suitable implements, as this will eliminate uneaten foods and other residues that settle on the substrate . In many areas tap water is not considered to be safe for fish to live in because it contains chemicals that harm

3219-481: The nitrogen cycle or be removed by passing through zeolite . Ammonia is also produced through the decomposition of plant and animal matter, including fecal matter and other detritus . Nitrogen waste products become toxic to fish and other aquarium inhabitants at high concentrations. In the wild, the vast amount of water surrounding the fish dilutes ammonia and other waste materials. When fish are put into an aquarium, waste can quickly reach toxic concentrations in

3306-509: The touch pool , visitors can gently touch some of the Salish Sea's many invertebrates, including sea urchins , sea cucumbers , and sea stars , under the supervision of the centre's Oceaneers. The touch pool also provides a stunning view of the Southern Gulf Islands against the backdrop of Mount Baker , an active volcano. Hanging above the touch pool is the skeleton of northern resident orca A9, known as Eve or Scar, due to

3393-661: The weight of water (1 kilogram per litre (8.345 lb/U.S. gal; 10.022 lb/imp gal)) and internal water pressure (requiring thick glass siding) of a large aquarium, restrict most home aquaria to a maximum of around 1 cubic metre in volume (1000 L, weighing 1,000 kg or 2,200 lb ). Some aquarists, however, have constructed aquaria of many thousands of litres. Public aquariums and oceanariums designed for exhibition of large species or environments can be dramatically larger than any home aquarium. The Georgia Aquarium , for example, features an individual aquarium of 6,300,000 US gallons (24,000,000 L). A new trend

3480-429: The 1850s, the aquarium became a fad in the United Kingdom. Tank designs and techniques for maintaining water quality were developed by Warington, later cooperating with Gosse until his critical review of the tank water composition. Edward Edwards developed these glass-fronted aquaria in his 1858 patent for a "dark-water-chamber slope-back tank", with water slowly circulating to a reservoir beneath. Germans soon rivaled

3567-520: The 1960s, metal frames made marine aquaria almost impossible due to corrosion, but the development of tar and silicone sealant allowed the first all-glass aquaria made by Martin Horowitz in Los Angeles, CA. The frames remained, however, though purely for aesthetic reasons. Japan played an increasingly important role in shaping aquarium design in the latter part of the twentieth century, with

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3654-649: The British in their interest. In 1854, an anonymous author had two articles published about the saltwater aquaria of the United Kingdom: Die Gartenlaube (The Garden House) entitled Der Ocean auf dem Tische (The Ocean on the Table). However, in 1856, Der See im Glase (The Lake in a Glass) was published, discussing freshwater aquaria, which were much easier to maintain in landlocked areas. In 1862 William Alford Lloyd , then bankrupt because of

3741-558: The Council. A lease agreement was negotiated whereby the New Marine Centre Society would have use of the space, owned by the town, for a period of twenty years from 2009 to 2029, with an option for a further 10 year renewal. The society would be responsible for securing all capital and operational funding for what was then referred to as a "marine museum". Throughout 2005, the board prepared a business plan, conducted

3828-732: The Elliott building, which, however, is named after scientist Percy Harris Elliott). His carvings also include interior decorations at the Victoria International Airport, a podium used for the 2013 Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Victoria, the altar at St. Andrew's Cathedral (Victoria, British Columbia) , the Queen's Baton used in the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, and

3915-662: The Marine Ecology Centre, however board members from both organizations agreed to work together to create a new marine attraction and education centre. This led to the establishment of the non-profit New Marine Centre Society on February 14, 2005. The founding volunteer board, chaired by Owen Redfern, included geologists Dr. John Harper and Dr. Rick Hudson, local politicians Cliff McNeil-Smith and Clive Tanner , and biologist Rhonda Reidy, with later additions including marine biologist Dr. Verena Tunnicliffe , and Town of Sidney councilor Peter Wainwright serving as liaison to

4002-498: The Sidney Pier Hotel and condominium project on a waterfront site overlooking Haro Strait . It was approved on the basis that the project would feature a series of community amenities, including 930 square metres (10,000 sq ft) of space on the ground floor that would be given to the town at no cost. Owned by the town, the space was originally intended to house the previously existing Marine Mammal Museum as well as

4089-557: The Sidney area to reach the $ 5 million goal. When the contribution of the space is factored in, the entire project had a value of $ 8.5 million. The project also received advice from a number of scientific and educational experts including Dr. Bill Austin and Sue Staniforth, along with Dr. John Nightingale and his staff at the Vancouver Aquarium . Matthews also worked closely Coast Salish elders including Tom Sampson,

4176-482: The addition of a commercially available mixture of salts and other minerals. Some aquarists modify water's alkalinity, hardness, or dissolved content of organics and gases, before adding it to their aquaria. This can be accomplished by additives, such as sodium bicarbonate, to raise pH. Some aquarists filter or purify their water through deionization or reverse osmosis prior to using it. In contrast, public aquaria with large water needs often locate themselves near

4263-548: The aquarium on a wall, mounting it as part of a window , or even combining it with a birdcage . Around 1908, the first mechanical aquarium air pump was invented, powered by running water, instead of electricity. The introduction of the air pump into the hobby is considered by several historians of the hobby to be a pivotal moment in its development. Aquaria became more widely popular as houses had an electricity supply after World War I . Electricity allowed artificial lighting, as well as aeration , filtration , and heating of

4350-423: The aquarium on the first weekend. This exhibit shows many species of jelly fish , plankton , and algae to help visitors understand the foundations of the ocean food web in the Salish Sea. Species in this exhibit include sea nettles and moon jellies . This wet lab and classroom is used by school groups, though ordinary visitors are welcome when it is not in use. It contains microscopes for visitors to view

4437-505: The aquarium's inhabitants. Many aquaria incorporate a hood, containing the lights, to decrease evaporation and prevent fish from leaving the aquarium (and anything else from entering the aquarium). Combined biological and mechanical aquarium filtration systems are common. These either convert ammonia to nitrate (removing nitrogen at the expense of aquatic plants), or to sometimes remove phosphate . Filter media can house microbes that mediate nitrification . Filtration systems are sometimes

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4524-491: The aquarium's inhabitants. Water movement can be controlled via aeration from air pumps, powerheads, and careful design of internal water flow (such as location of filtration system points of inflow and outflow). Of primary concern to the aquarist is management of the waste produced by an aquarium's inhabitants. Fish, invertebrates, fungi , and some bacteria excrete nitrogen waste in the form of ammonia (which converts to ammonium , in water) and must then either pass through

4611-602: The aquarium. According to the July issue of The North American Review of the same year, William Stimson may have owned some of the first functional aquaria, and had as many as seven or eight. The first aquarist society in the United States was founded in New York City in 1893, followed by others. The New York Aquarium Journal , first published in October 1876, is considered to be the world's first aquarium magazine. In

4698-557: The back of the centre has been occupied by various exhibits over the years. The centre's first fully in-house curated exhibit, Seaweed : Mysteries of the Amber Forests , opened on October 15th, 2022, and featured work from artists Josie Iselin and Sarah Jim , among others, artists. This exhibit showcased the often-ignored yet vital plant life of the ocean, and closed on January 10th, 2024. The Drawing Connections Gallery, which opened on February 24th, 2024, celebrates 40 years of

4785-460: The behavior and survival of tank inhabitants. An aquarium can be placed on an aquarium stand. Because of the weight of the aquarium, a stand must be strong as well as level. A tank that is not level may distort, leak, or crack. These are often built with cabinets to allow storage, available in many styles to match room decor . Simple metal tank stands are also available. Most aquaria should be placed on polystyrene to cushion any irregularities on

4872-529: The craze in England being over, moved to Grindel Dammthor, Hamburg, to supervise the installation of the circulating system and tanks at the Hamburg Aquarium . During the 1870s, some of the first aquarist societies were appearing in Germany. The United States soon followed. Published in 1858, Henry D. Butler's The Family Aquarium was one of the first books written in the United States solely about

4959-421: The enclosed environment unless the tank is cycled to remove waste. A well-balanced tank contains organisms that are able to metabolize the waste products of other aquarium residents, recreating a portion of the nitrogen cycle . Bacteria known as nitrifiers (genus Nitrosomonas ) metabolize nitrogen waste. Nitrifying bacteria capture ammonia from the water and metabolize it to produce nitrite . Nitrite

5046-779: The first public aquarium at the London Zoo in 1853, and published the first manual, The Aquarium: An Unveiling of the Wonders of the Deep Sea in 1854. Small aquariums are kept in the home by hobbyists . There are large public aquariums in many cities. Public aquariums keep fish and other aquatic animals in large tanks. A large aquarium may have otters , dolphins , sharks , penguins , seals , and whales . Many aquarium tanks also have plants. An aquarist owns fish or maintains an aquarium, typically constructed of glass or high-strength acrylic . Aquaria with flat walls are known as fish tanks or simply tanks, while those with rounded walls are known as fish bowls . Size can range from

5133-557: The first person to create aquaria for experimenting with aquatic organisms. This experimentation lead to several discoveries, including the first direct evidence that argonauts , a marine cephalopod, create their own shells. In 1836, soon after his invention of the Wardian case , Dr. Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward proposed to use his tanks for tropical animals. In 1841 he did so, though only with aquatic plants and toy fish. However, he soon housed real animals. In 1838, Félix Dujardin noted owning

5220-416: The fish are kept healthy. Daily maintenance consists of checking the fish for signs of stress and disease . Also, aquarists must make sure that the water has a good quality and it is not cloudy or foamy and the temperature of the water is appropriate for the particular species of fish that live in the aquarium. Typical weekly maintenance includes changing around 10–30% or more of the water while cleaning

5307-594: The fish. Tap water from those areas must be treated with a suitable water conditioner, such as a product which removes chlorine and chloramine and neutralizes any heavy metals present. The water conditions must be checked both in the tank and in the replacement water, to make sure they are suitable for the species. The solute content of water is perhaps the most important aspect of water conditions, as total dissolved solids and other constituents dramatically impact basic water chemistry, and therefore how organisms interact with their environment. Salt content, or salinity ,

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5394-473: The glass panels attached with metal frames and sealed with putty. Metal-framed aquariums were still available until the mid-1960s, when the modern, silicone-sealed style replaced them. Acrylic aquariums first became available to the public in the 1970s. Laminated glass is sometimes used, which combines the advantages of both glass and acrylic. Today, most aquaria consist of glass panes bonded together by 100% silicone sealant, with plastic frames attached to

5481-490: The ground floor of the Sidney Pier Building. All of the concrete walls in the space had to be worked around as they were key structural components of the building, meaning the aquarium's mechanical and public spaces were required to fit without modification. The floor required considerable reinforcement to support 87 tonnes of seawater the aquariums can hold. Interior construction began on August 21, 2008. With

5568-479: The kelp panels featured in the lobby and bronze artist Paul Harder was commissioned to create the sea creatures featured in the outdoor tide pool in the waterfront park on the east side of the building. The freely assessable, outdoor tide pool feature associated with the aquarium, was a gift to the people of Sidney from the Gwyn Morgan & Patricia Trottier Family Foundation. Included in the construction schedule

5655-465: The late Earle Claxton, the late Ray Sam and John Elliott. The elders provided extensive advice regarding the Salish Sea and the First People's interactions and special relationships with the ocean and marine life through the generations. Final design, based on Matthews' initial concept, was developed by Seattle-based aquarium designer James Peterson. The design was complex, spanning three levels on

5742-536: The main Gallery of the Salish Sea, notably including wolf eels , and a giant Pacific octopus . Kept only for half a year, a single octopus inhabits the centre at a time, before they are released back into the waters they were caught from to complete their lifecycle and breed. During their time at the centre, the octopuses increase in size dramatically, and show distinct personalities that can be attributed to their high cephalopod intelligence . Using only one finger, in

5829-503: The mini-ecosystems habitats, and a teacher's desk with a fish tank inside. The area is also used to house new-born fish and contain bones of whales. Lastly, the exhibit contains a 60-cm female fetus of a hybrid harbour and Dall's porpoise that was discovered from a dead female Dall's porpoise on Southern Vancouver Island in 1998. The centre is home to up to 3000 creatures at one time, with around 150 species of plant life, marine invertebrates , and fish. Most of these species are housed in

5916-678: The most complex component of home aquaria. Aquarium heaters combine a heating element with a thermostat , allowing the aquarist to regulate water temperature at a level above that of the surrounding air, whereas coolers and chillers (refrigeration devices) are for use anywhere, such as cold water aquaria, where the ambient room temperature is above the desired tank temperature. Thermometers used include glass alcohol thermometers, adhesive external plastic strip thermometers , and battery-powered LCD thermometers. In addition, some aquarists use air pumps attached to airstones or water pumps to increase water circulation and supply adequate gas exchange at

6003-716: The most popular biotopes are the freshwater habitats of the Amazon River , the Rio Negro River, the African rift lake environments of Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika , and saltwater coral reefs of Australia , the Red Sea , and the Caribbean Sea . The fish, plants, substrate, rocks, wood, coral, and any other component of the display should completely match that of the local natural environment. It can be

6090-484: The name "Salish Sea" being attributed to waters in British Columbia and Washington State. It features eight artists, Bill Adams, Rob Butler, Peggy Frank, Mark Hobson, Briony Penn , Peggy Sowden, Anne Stewart, and Alison Watt , and celebrates the intersection between art and science in the local biosphere. The exhibit highlights coastal wetlands ecosystems and the animals that inhabit them, birds especially, and

6177-539: The nitrogen cycle often still contain Nitrobacter . Aquatic plants also eliminate nitrogen waste by metabolizing ammonia and nitrate. When plants metabolize nitrogen compounds, they remove nitrogen from the water by using it to build biomass that decays more slowly than ammonia-driven plankton already dissolved in the water. Some hobbyists also use "anoxic filtration," which relies on bacteria that live in low-oxygen environments. The nitrogen cycle in an aquarium

6264-484: The numbers of fish kept in aquaria in Germany suggest at least 36 million. The hobby has the strongest following in Europe, Asia, and North America. In the United States, 40% of aquarists maintain two or more tanks. Over time, there has been an increasing appreciation of the usefulness of access to an aquarium to provide potential stress reduction and improvement of mood in people observing aquatic life. According to

6351-475: The opening. The core Oceaneers came from the former Marine Mammal Museum or the Marine Ecology Centre, both of which had closed before the centre opened. The Shaw name was permanently attached to the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea prior to opening in recognition of the largest single gift to the project, $ 2.5 million from Shaw Communications. The centre was positioned as a self-supporting, entrepreneurial not-for-profit, environmental education centre focused on

6438-410: The past, it was possible to "condition" the water by simply letting the water stand for a day or two, which allows the chlorine time to dissipate. However, chloramine is now used more often and does not leave the water as readily. Water conditioners formulated to remove chlorine or chloramine are often all that is needed to make the water ready for aquarium use. Brackish or saltwater aquaria require

6525-428: The price difference tends to disappear. Acrylic aquaria are now the primary competitor with glass. Prior to the invention of UV stabilization , early acrylic aquaria discolored over time with exposure to light; this is no longer the case. Acrylic is generally stronger than glass, weighs less, and provides a certain amount of temperature insulation. In colder climates or environments, it is easier to achieve and maintain

6612-532: The research of having an aquarium is many health benefits like reduce stress, blood pressure and heart rate improvement, better quality sleep , reduce anxiety and pain , therapy of excited children, Alzheimer's therapy and improve productivity . The first modern aquarium made of glass was developed in the 19th century by Robert Warrington. During the Victorian age , glass aquariums commonly had slate or steel bottoms, which allowed them to be heated underneath by an open-flame heat source. These aquariums had

6699-486: The shape of modern fish bowls. Leonhard Baldner , who wrote Vogel-, Fisch- und Tierbuch (Bird, Fish, and Animal Book) in 1666, maintained weather loaches and newts . It is sometimes held that the aquarium was invented by the Romans, who are said to have kept sea barbels in marble-and-glass tanks, but scholars doubt the veracity of this. In 1832, Jeanne Villepreux-Power , a pioneering French marine biologist, became

6786-414: The support and effort of remarkable trades people, artists and contractors the centre opened on time and under budget after just 10 months of construction. Coast Salish artist Charles Elliott was commissioned to produce a series of graphics that are reproduced throughout the centre, used in marketing materials and in the fish sculpture located outside the main entrance. Local glass artist Rick Silas produced

6873-399: The tank itself. The tank has no sharp angles around its sides and keeps the housed animals away from plumbing. Water moving into the tank gives a gentle flow that keeps the inhabitants suspended. Water leaves the tank through a screen which prevents animals from being drawn into the pump intake or overflow line. There are several types of kreisel tanks. In a true kreisel, a circular tank has

6960-579: The underlying surface or the bottom of the tank itself that may cause cracks. However, some tanks have an underframe making this unnecessary. Another important consideration for aquariums is their electrical usage. Water is expensive to keep heated, along with the lights that many aquariums, especially those with live plants have. New aquarists should also pay close attention to their electrical setup for their aquarium, taking care to set up power connections with drip loops to prevent water from getting to outlets. Large volumes of water enable more stability in

7047-580: The upper and lower edges for decoration. The glass aquarium is standard for sizes up to about 1,000 litres (260 US gal; 220 imp gal). However, glass is brittle and has very little give before fracturing, though generally the sealant fails first. Aquaria are made in a variety of shapes, such as cuboid , hexagonal , angled to fit in a corner (L-shaped), and bow-front (the front side curves outwards). Fish bowls are generally either made of plastic or glass, and are either spherical or some other round configuration in shape. Glass aquaria have been

7134-400: The water surface. Wave-making devices have also been constructed to provide wave action. An aquarium's physical characteristics form another aspect of aquarium design. Size, lighting conditions, density of floating and rooted plants, placement of bog-wood , creation of caves or overhangs, type of substrate , and other factors (including an aquarium's positioning within a room) can all affect

7221-611: The water. Initially, amateur aquarists kept native fish (with the exception of goldfish); the availability of exotic species from overseas further increased the popularity of the aquarium. Jugs made from a variety of materials were used to import fish from overseas, with a bicycle foot pump for aeration. Plastic shipping bags were introduced in the 1950s, making it easier to ship fish. The eventual availability of air freight allowed fish to be successfully imported from distant regions. Popular publications started by Herbert R. Axelrod influenced many more hobbyists to start keeping fish. In

7308-503: The wonders of the Salish Sea at the aquarium's doorstep. On Saturday June 20, 2009, the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea opened to the public after a ceremony led by Coast Salish elder Tom Sampson. Featured guests included local Members of Parliament and Legislative Assembly, W̱S͸KEM Chief Vern Jacks, W̱JOȽEȽP council member Audrey Sampson, and special guest Céline Cousteau . During the outdoor ceremony, Coast Salish dancers and singers presented welcome and honour songs. The performers then led

7395-697: Was a wood carver and graphic artist of the Tsartlip First Nation . Elliott was born and makes his home in Saanich, British Columbia , on Vancouver Island . He has carved since he was a child. Elliott's totem poles have been placed at several locations throughout Greater Victoria , including three at the Victoria International Airport , one at Butchart Gardens , and one at the University of Victoria (near

7482-505: Was fully developed by Warington, explaining that plants added to water in a container would give off enough oxygen to support animals, so long as their numbers do not grow too large. He published his findings in 1850 in the Chemical Society's journal . The keeping of fish in an aquarium became a popular hobby and spread quickly. In the United Kingdom, it became popular after ornate aquaria in cast-iron frames were featured at

7569-626: Was time to test run the aquarium life-support systems as well as collect and introduce the animal collection to their habitats in preparation for opening. Prior to the June 20, 2009, opening date, Matthews assembled a small staff to operate the aquarium, supported by over 170 volunteer "Oceaneers". Ranging in age from 8 to the top end of the age scale, the Oceaneers became the personality of the centre and essential to its operation and financial model. They participated in hours of training in preparation for

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