reefgeek84 Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 So I went to Vegas over the weekend and had to stop by and check out the 1.6million gallon aquarium (total volume) at Mandolay Bay Hotel. When I got there, I found out that you could take a behind the scenes tour of all the equipment, so I thought it would be cool to see and I also had the club in mind when I decided to see it (I know there are alot of equipment junkies on the board). So I drug, now Finance (I proposed in vegas) through the tour of behind the scenes. They usually have groups go through, but no one else was there at our time so it was just us two, so it was a private tour. Some of the pics are not the greatest, sorry alot of areas had weird shadowing and some tight spaces so it was hard to get some full shots... I will do my best to remember all the details on everything, but some stuff I know I will not be able to remember...so I apologize, but here we go... This sign was cool on the wall, it was put on there via a projector and when you walked in front of the sign it got all distorted. How they have their aquariums set up Protien skimmers, they had three of these in action Ozone generator display, they run three of these Ozone reactor chamber, also run three of these Display of the trickle filters they use, they have three huge trickle filters. These use bio wheels, which are as round as a 2 liter bottle and half the height Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefgeek84 Posted July 10, 2007 Author Share Posted July 10, 2007 The actual trickle filters Fresh RO/DI water storage tank, they have 5 of these which are 15k gal. each Freshly made saltwater storage tanks they had 2 of these, you can see in the left hand corner, a white bag, it is instant ocean (another pic a little later will show the size better) Remote sand beds, a whole bunch, they were huge Back side of remote sand beds Pump for the remote sand beds, 60hp, the pump can empty a homes private pool in 2 mins more of the piping for the remote sand beds Misc. piping, just to show the sheer size and amount Misc. panels to control things (this is where you see a better shot of the instant ocean bag) More pumps, not sure what for the bigger ones are 10hp pumps One of the chillers, they use roughly 4 ft. tall Brine shrimp hatchery, used for some fish, but mainly their jelly fish display More equipment, not sure what for Backwash pumps and system, with this they are able to reuse 95% of their water Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefgeek84 Posted July 10, 2007 Author Share Posted July 10, 2007 Back side of their main display Some of their synthetic corals they use in the tanks Chain mail suit their divers use, sorry really bad shadow, they cost 4k each That is it, I hope some people get some enjoyment out of this...There are of course pics of the actual aquariums, but there is alot to resize and go through, so that thread should be up in the next few days...I just thought I would get this going...If you have any questions please let me know and I will do my best to answer them.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
civicsit Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 wow, nice pics thanks for sharing. Can't wait to see the pics of the display. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 Very cool Brandon, thanks for the pics! Looking forward to the display. Those skimmers are HUGE!!! And congrats on the engagement!!!! You win any $$ down there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefgeek84 Posted July 10, 2007 Author Share Posted July 10, 2007 Very cool Brandon, thanks for the pics! Looking forward to the display. Those skimmers are HUGE!!! And congrats on the engagement!!!! You win any $$ down there? Thanks for the congrats... No, I lost about 100 bucks...I was up a few times, but you know how that goes...I would have only won about 100.00 if I would have cashed out the couple of time...but oh well, went down there with the impression that I would lose money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefhut Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 Reef Shark Yeah, I was there in June. Anna was our guide, she didn't speak very good english. She let us in a couple other times for free, the first time to ask there life support tech's questions, and the secound to watch feeding time. Watching the Sea Turtles eat was very cool not to mention the sharks,It was a great experence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAVES Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 anyone have any "in front of the scenes" photos? Ive never been or seen this tank. Sea turtles? I wonder who they had to bribe to get that permit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefgeek84 Posted July 13, 2007 Author Share Posted July 13, 2007 anyone have any "in front of the scenes" photos? Ive never been or seen this tank. Sea turtles? I wonder who they had to bribe to get that permit. I have front pics, Just alot of them to go through...I will get them posted up here in the next few days, I even have a couple pics of the sea turtles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mister crabs Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 its an amazing exhibit. I have been there three times. Twice while visiting and another time since moving here. You should have said you were coming down here i could have pointed you in the directions of some terrific LFS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 its an amazing exhibit. I have been there three times. Twice while visiting and another time since moving here. You should have said you were coming down here i could have pointed you in the directions of some terrific LFS. I know where i'm stayin next time i hit up Vegas!!! (wife) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nyles Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 thanks for sharing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefhut Posted July 14, 2007 Share Posted July 14, 2007 The first chance I get I'll post some Sea Turtle pic's and video's of them eating:D I'm very busy right now so know one let me forget.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAVES Posted July 14, 2007 Share Posted July 14, 2007 The first chance I get I'll post some Sea Turtle pic's and video's of them eating:D I'm very busy right now so know one let me forget.... **begin highjack** When I get back from Vanuatu Ill have some photos of baby hawksbills as they island we are staying on is a turtle hatcher/sanctuary. It will be interesting to see how they raise the young etc. **end highjack** Brandon, did you take any of the front? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefgeek84 Posted July 15, 2007 Author Share Posted July 15, 2007 **begin highjack** When I get back from Vanuatu Ill have some photos of baby hawksbills as they island we are staying on is a turtle hatcher/sanctuary. It will be interesting to see how they raise the young etc. **end highjack** Brandon, did you take any of the front? I can not wait to see those pics... Yes, I did take some of the front, not the best photos, due to their lighting being super dark everywhere...I will get them up soon though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elmo18 Posted July 15, 2007 Share Posted July 15, 2007 Was my post deleted? Best, Ilham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted July 15, 2007 Share Posted July 15, 2007 probably.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluecheese Posted July 19, 2007 Share Posted July 19, 2007 Very impressive AND MASSIVE! makes all of us look like real amateurs...Thanks for sharing Brandon. I'll look forward to the front shots when you post them. Sounds like a must see if you ever go through LV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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