The Largest Saltwater Tanks for Marine Life

When it comes to designing and maintaining large marine life exhibits, size truly does matter. From home aquariums to public aquatic displays, the importance of a substantial tank volume cannot be overstated. This article explores some of the largest saltwater tanks in the world, detailing their capacity, maintenance challenges, and the intricacies involved in managing such sizable aquatic ecosystems.

The Importance of Size in Aquarium Design

When designing an aquarium, particularly one that aims to maintain a semi-closed system, size is often the determining factor. Size is a critical parameter that simplifies many of the design and management aspects. While size alone doesn’t guarantee success, it provides a foundation that allows more straightforward management of the physical and biological requirements of the tank.

In a large tank, maintaining proper water chemistry is one of the most subtle and challenging tasks. Key parameters such as pH, salinity, oxygen levels, calcium carbonate, and inorganic chemical nutrients must be strictly controlled. Each of these parameters affects the others, making them interdependent and complex. Nutrients, primarily nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, are mainly derived from the waste of marine organisms, which can exacerbate the challenge of maintaining water quality.

To address these challenges, biological filters play a crucial role. Bacteria, meiofauna, and algae can help in treating the water, making the system more resilient and robust. However, people with smaller tanks often face the need for constant water quality monitoring, and enjoy the challenge it provides.

Engineering and Economic Decisions in Tank Design

Tank size is primarily an economic decision, followed by an engineering decision, and then an ecological one. The available budget determines the initial tank size, which then influences the engineering design. Once the tank is designed, biological and ecological factors come into play, determining the types of marine life that can be housed in the tank.

The process often follows these steps:

Estimate the available budget. Size the tank accordingly. Study the engineering solutions. Downsize the tank based on the findings. Determine the organisms that can be kept. Reconsider the need for an aquarium altogether.

Public Aquariums and Their Giant Tanks

Public aquariums often house some of the largest tanks in the world. For instance, the Churaumi Aquarium in Okinawa, Japan, features a main tank called the Kuroshio Sea, which holds an impressive 7.5 million liters (1.98 million US gallons) of water. This tank, introduced in 2002, boasts the world's largest acrylic glass panel, measuring 8.2 by 22.5 meters (27 by 74 feet) and 60 centimeters (24 inches) thick.

The Churaumi Aquarium currently houses three whale sharks. While it is not the largest, it represents one of the grandeur of public aquariums.

However, the largest tank currently in operation is at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, USA. This astonishingly large tank, known as the Ocean Voyager, holds an impressive 24 million liters (6.3 million US gallons) of water, specifically designed to house whale sharks. Today, the Ocean Voyager tank is home to four whale sharks, and visitors can experience these gentle giants through live webcams or even swim with them, with guaranteed safety measures and the elimination of the risk of sea sickness.

Conclusion

The complexity and challenges involved in maintaining large saltwater tanks underscore the importance of thoughtful planning, engineering, and ecological considerations. Whether a private collection or a public attraction, the size and grandeur of a tank can profoundly impact the species that can be housed and the experience for those who observe or participate in these aquatic environments.