GA Aquarium! It's the greatest Aquarium in the world!

[bulkrate]

Todd, clearly relaxed. What days are you on site at the GA aquarium? All talk aside it HAS been over a year since if visited it, taking the behind the scenes tour might just have to be an early christmas present for the family.

Mysterybox, look forward to seeing the video when I'm back on a real computer.

 

[todd_washowich]

I am diving this Friday in the Ocean Voyager. In fact I dive there most Friday's

 

[toccoa fish man]

Is there like some "I work at Georgia Aquarium" cult on here? Based on the rude, self-centered, impressed with themselves employees I've encountered there, it wouldn't surprise me if this is their marketing department.

I state an opinion and Mr. Todd here belittles me (by the way I have a graduate degree in marine biology and TEACH so I DO know what I'm looking at). It's like if you haven't drunk the Kool-Aid, you're going to force it down our throats. I was going to let this go and ignore it, but I got a PERSONAL E-MAIL telling me that I was an idiot. Whoever did that....YOU ARE NUTS! Seriously, leave the house and get a girlfriend.......Here is my assessment and it isn't going to change.....

1) Georgia Aquarium...like the perfect 10 cheerleader. Everything looks great. All the bells and whistles...good pedigree....well spoken...wants to save all the starving children. Then you date her and you find out she is absolutely full of herself, bores you after awhile, and is all about style over substance, and people can't understand why you're put off and you can't date her anymore.

2) Tennessee Aquarium...like the girl with the glasses that spends all her time in the library, but she's a fox when she lets her hair down and takes off her glasses. Lots of personality. Looks past the obvious. Doesn't care if you're not impressed, because you wouldn't understand anyway.

As for feeling like I was in 5th grade....how about the stupid Garibaldi stuffed animals that are everywhere at Georgia Aquarium? There are more of those than there are REAL specimens.

 

[todd_washowich]

Consider yourself belittled then.. As for marketing nope...read, I am a diver.. as for GAI not a great facility.....I am not on the Kool-aid.. If it was not a great place, why is the entire world in awe of it? Why does Jeff Corwin do a weekly TV show form there? As for what you got via email...I don't email, I talk in public... As for stuffed Garibaldi's....The facility is for all ages.. don't get your picture with Depot then...

As for real specimens..... let me ask you, how many are there? vs TN? Being from Taccoa I would have to assume you been there once? maybe twice?

As for rude employees and (i would have to assume the volunteers) because they are the people on the floor... Dude that is an outright false statement... let's hear your encounter with rudeness.....

I can list all the positives that the GAI does for the marine environment and for the education of the patrons..but it is easily found on their website... The 4R program, The Whale Shark Research in Mexico, The Sea Turtle rehab, the Dolphin Rehab....

Tn is is a great little facility, a different type. dealing mostly with Nickajack Lake and the surrounding waters... seems you like that vs the oceans...great enjoy.. but as for being sub-par to it.....maybe ya oughta look at what's in your glass.

Enjoy both...they are both there to teach and learn from...

 

[ichthyoid]

Not looking to join the fray just offering another, hopefully objective, view.

I like them both, for different reasons.

I get it with the Tennessee Aquarium. I read the vision of the designer. The idea was to incorporate the various ecosystems/habitats in sequence from river source, down the Tennessee river, through Nickajack Lake, to it's destination at the Gulf of Mexico. I think they did a superb job in doing that, and in unique fashion. I particularly like the otter & jelly display/habitats, as well as both the fresh and saltwater main displays.

The Georgia Aquarium is obviously massive (gross understatement). They also incorporate different species/environments, albeit in not as systematic fashion. That being said, the main display window (whale sharks) is simply stunning! I would like for the reef wall to be a little more populated with corals, but honestly have not seen it for over a year, so maybe it is now.

I have seen many public Aquariums, including the- Shedd, Monterey, Steinhardt, New England, Florida to name a few. Both the Georgia and Tennesee Aquariums are in my top 5, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be living within 1 1/2 hours of them both! I don't have to, nor do I want to, choose between them.

Many thanks and cudo's to the staff's of both facilities.

 

[todd_washowich]

"They also incorporate different species/environments, albeit in not as systematic fashion"

Just so you know, it was specifically designed this way so you develop your own experience... It is an Axial design... not a straight line.. you take as long as you want and go when and where you want... I like that, go at my pace and where I want to go... albeit I am on the other side of the Acyrlic now more than the viewing side.

 

[ichthyoid]

Todd,

Just so you will know, after yearning for years for a hometown aqaurium, I watched/read/studied like a little kid on Christmas morning as the Georgia Aquarium took shape.

I look forward to the day when I finally take that 'behind the scenes' tour. It will be, for me, a very special day. I read about the vision, exhibits, systems, etc. before and during construction. I obviously still have much to learn.

Bernie Marcus made me and many others very happy (and proud)! Someday I hope to thank him personally.

 

[todd_washowich]

Then come see me Friday at the GAI t 10 or 11 AM and you will see it. As soon as I dive OV in the AM I am free

 

[demifelix]

ichthyoid;706434 wrote:
I would like for the reef wall to be a little more populated with corals, but honestly have not seen it for over a year, so maybe it is now.

Bill...you need to check out Sydney aquarium one day. It's not as massive as GA, but you will see a lot more corals, huge corals and many different species. For coral lovers like myself, I think it's the best in the world.

 

[frantz]

As a northerner I have yet to see the aquarium in Tenn (its on my list) but I have been the the Baltimore Aquarium several times (Also worth a visit if you are up that way, really sweet rain forest room on top of their building). The Georgia aquarium is a great place for me to go and just watch life. I would like if there was more scientific data on the walls, but I also see how that can clutter the clean look of the place. I've never asked any employees there for input so I can't speak to their knowledge. I will say that every LFS should love the place as I can't ever drive straight home! I got a year long membership (military discount to boot!) and it expires next month. I got more than my monies worth out last year and I will be renewing it again. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter to me which is better, the experience is great. The Georgia aquarium is 15 min away, Baltimore closer to 11, and Tenn somewhere in between (-=

 

[rjrgroup]

GA Aquarium ROX!!!!!!!!!!!!
Monterrey was a little disappointing, if that's possible, to be honest. What they have is awesome but it feels very dated. Additionally, you won't see something tropical because it's not indigenous to the bay area. They have the the kelp forest which is uber cool, an amazing display of jellies and a dizzying overhead tank of sardines swimming in circles but that's the high-lights.
I'll be going to Steinhart's first of 2012 and can''t wait. I know it's small but it's suppose to be incredible for the size.

 

[rdnelson]

Seattle has a small one down near Pikes Place Market that is kind of cool. I wouldn't say spectacular but it highlights the life of the Puget Sound which is pretty cool.

 

[midas]

I liked the Seattle aquarium, went there several times and also greatly enjoyed Pike's Place Market. Did you ever see/buy "Big *** Apples"? The size of those red apples will make your jaw drop. I used to buy them and bring them home as gifts for people.

Monterrey Bay Aquarium is my personal favorite. I love the fact that you can walk onto the decks of the aquarium and watch otters, seals and sometimes whales swimming offshore. If anyone goes to Monterrey, try to also visit Point Lobos State Park (about 30 minutes away) It is one of the nicest state parks along the coast, and the scenery and wildlife are spectacular.

Steinhart is nice, and they've added to it since I have been. Being inside Golden Gate Park doesn't hurt either. The park has amazing gardens, ponds and museums that can be walked/biked to. Best urban park I have been to.

GA Aquarium is also very nice, and the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, and the.. aw heck, there's a lot of nice ones out there.

 

[rdnelson]

There is a nice one in Cumming too. Kind of out in the contry in the middle of no where. It is small (only 45 gallons) but I like it. hehehehehehe