Testing the anodes requires a team of at least two people. The windows are numbered 1 to 67. A diver places the probe tip on the window frame.
On the surface the information is gathered and recorded for each window.
Giant Ocean Tank Divers Blog
12/20/08
#25: What's Happening - Testing The Anodes
Maintaining the Giant Ocean Tank, which has been on exhibit since 1969 can often at times be challenging. With a total of 67 windows, only a few have had to be replaced. The window frames are protected from corrosion with the use of an anode. An anode is a sacrificial corrosion device. Once installed they require a weekly cleaning, and quarterly testing.
Testing the anodes requires a team of at least two people. The windows are numbered 1 to 67. A diver places the probe tip on the window frame.
Probe tip making contact on the window frame.
On the surface the information is gathered and recorded for each window.
Testing the anodes requires a team of at least two people. The windows are numbered 1 to 67. A diver places the probe tip on the window frame.
On the surface the information is gathered and recorded for each window.
12/16/08
#24: What's Happening - Myrtle Likes Squid
Although Myrtle is fed by volunteers from a special platform just for her, she sometimes would rather have big tasty squid meant for the sharks. In this video she tries to grab some squid during shark feeding time.
- Chris
12/15/08
#23: Our Reef Residents - Parrotfish
Parrotfish are found in tropical waters all over the world. They are named for their parrot-like beaks which are used for crunching corals and encrusted rocks in search of algae, their main food source. Parrotfish swim by flapping their pectoral fins, giving the appearance that they are flying through the water.
Some species of parrotfish excrete a mucous bubble that envelops their bodies at night when they are at rest. Depending on the species, they can range in size from seven inches (green blotch parrotfish) to five feet (rainbow parrotfish). Identifying the different species can be quite challenging due to the dramatic changes in shape, color, and markings that occur as they mature. In many species the females and juveniles look similar, while the adult males look completely different. The adult males are usually much more colorful with ornate combinations of blues and greens highlighted with red, yellow, and pink. The different age groups are classified as "phases." They include juvenile phase, initial phase, and terminal phase.
Stoplight Parrotfish -- Initial Phase
Stoplight Parrotfish --Terminal Phase
This is our rainbow parrotfish
He is only about a foot long now, but he could get as big as five feet when full grown!
There are currently six species of parrotfish in the Giant Ocean Tank; princess, striped, redband, stoplight, rainbow, and yellowtail. They are all doing quite well, but the yellowtail is by far the most successful. We have two yellowtail parrotfish; one is only a few inches long, while the other is a little over a foot. The larger one was introduced to the GOT as a new species several years ago when it was no bigger then a few inches itself.
The smaller one came from our 2008 Bahamas fall collecting expedition, and has only been in the GOT for a little over a week.
- Sherrie
Some species of parrotfish excrete a mucous bubble that envelops their bodies at night when they are at rest. Depending on the species, they can range in size from seven inches (green blotch parrotfish) to five feet (rainbow parrotfish). Identifying the different species can be quite challenging due to the dramatic changes in shape, color, and markings that occur as they mature. In many species the females and juveniles look similar, while the adult males look completely different. The adult males are usually much more colorful with ornate combinations of blues and greens highlighted with red, yellow, and pink. The different age groups are classified as "phases." They include juvenile phase, initial phase, and terminal phase.
Stoplight Parrotfish -- Initial Phase
Stoplight Parrotfish --Terminal Phase
This is our rainbow parrotfish
He is only about a foot long now, but he could get as big as five feet when full grown!
There are currently six species of parrotfish in the Giant Ocean Tank; princess, striped, redband, stoplight, rainbow, and yellowtail. They are all doing quite well, but the yellowtail is by far the most successful. We have two yellowtail parrotfish; one is only a few inches long, while the other is a little over a foot. The larger one was introduced to the GOT as a new species several years ago when it was no bigger then a few inches itself.
The smaller one came from our 2008 Bahamas fall collecting expedition, and has only been in the GOT for a little over a week.
- Sherrie
12/6/08
#22: Many People Ask - Does anyone or anything ever fall into the GOT?
Visitors often ask if anyone or anything ever falls into the GOT. Well, I'm happy to report that a person has never fallen in. However, over the years, many interesting "things" have fallen in. Some of the more common items are pencils, pacifiers, keys, money, earrings, mittens, hats, paper, water bottles, and lots and lots of sunglasses.
More often then not, visitors do not want their soggy items back, so the divers are never at a loss for a pair of sunglasses.
Before the sunglasses are retired to the "sunglass drawer," the divers like to have a little fun with them.
Not sure Myrtle agrees that this is so much fun!
I think the most unusual thing I have ever found in the GOT was a Guns and Roses CD; the most expensive was a cell phone.
So the next time you visit the Aquarium enjoy the top of the GOT, but be sure to hold onto your stuff!
- Sherrie
More often then not, visitors do not want their soggy items back, so the divers are never at a loss for a pair of sunglasses.
Before the sunglasses are retired to the "sunglass drawer," the divers like to have a little fun with them.
Not sure Myrtle agrees that this is so much fun!
I think the most unusual thing I have ever found in the GOT was a Guns and Roses CD; the most expensive was a cell phone.
So the next time you visit the Aquarium enjoy the top of the GOT, but be sure to hold onto your stuff!
- Sherrie
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