Aquariums

Hey peeps.

I've always been facinated by underwater life and the exploration of the ocean. I've read a great deal on the subject and if I'm ever in an area with an aquarium I always make sure to check it out. Anyway, I'm lucky enough to live near the New York Aquarium located right on the Coney Island boardwalk in Brooklyn, one of the better aquariums on the East Coast. I try to go there on a regular basis (I'm a member of the Wildlife Conservation Society, so I get free admission), the last time being this past Sunday. I took along my new digital camera (Sony P100, thanks for the recommendation, Kano. It rocks) and took some shots. The camera took some damn nice pics despite shooting through glass and murky water...I didn't even run into too many problems with glare. Check 'em out, bitches.

Here we have some shots of one of the most intelligent creatures you'll find in the ocean, the Octopus. This guy is usually kind of shy and tends to hide, but today he was out. The other two shots are of a seahorse.

Speaing of Seahorses, the tank with the Leafy Sea Dragon was closed for repairs, which pissed me off.

Next, we have some shots of various jellyfish.

Next, a sea turtle and a couple of Stingrays.

Then finally some Sharks.

:| Is this a joke thread?

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Originally Posted by Doc Holliday

:| Is this a joke thread?

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Hush, I love marine life and get a blast out of visiting aquariums. It's been years since I have, unfortunately.

Nice pics, Dole.

Dolemite, the Bad-Ass King of all Shrimps and Hustlers

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Originally Posted by Doc Holliday

:| Is this a joke thread?

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I post beautiful pictures for all of TNL to enjoy and you say that? Bitch.

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Originally Posted by Nomi

Nice pics, Dole.

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Thanks.

Anyone a scuba diver?

Went to Cozumel last month.

Faquing amazing, there's like 100ft + viability. And all the white sand keeps it nice and bright. There's one nice reef on the southside of the island. Lots of shit to look at crabs, morays and giant Grouper fish. At one point, the guide was all signaling us to follow him, I was the only one who did, and swam up current to get within biting distance of a barracuda! It was pretty cool, but I did piss myself a little.

Fishy!!!!!!!!!!!

We've got a few places in CT to see fishes. Mystic Aquarium (on the was to the casinos) and the Meritime Center in Norwalk, which also has an Imax theatre.
I'll have to check out the one in NY some day.

Nice pics. Jellys and turtles rock.

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Originally Posted by Dolemite

I post beautiful pictures of all of TNL to enjoy and you say that? Bitch.

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:) The pics were nice. Just seemed more Got Next/Korian material.

:\ TNL's savage, I just had to check things out before I got all touchy, feely.


We cool?

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Originally Posted by Doc Holliday

Anyone a scuba diver?

Went to Cozumel last month.

Faquing amazing, there's like 100ft + viability. And all the white sand keeps it nice and bright. There's one nice reef on the southside of the island. Lots of shit to look at crabs, morays and giant Grouper fish. At one point, the guide was all signaling us to follow him, I was the only one who did, and swam up current to get within biting distance of a barracuda! It was pretty cool, but I did piss myself a little.

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I didn't go to Cozumel, but I went snorkeling at Xcaret and saw some cool stuff. Also went snorkeling in Aruba near the sunken German ship and saw some cool fish; and at Baby Beach too.

Nice pictures Dolemite, ocean life is pretty cool. We have the Camden Aquarium around here (Camden isn't such a nice place) and they've had some pretty cool exhibits. We also have the Philadelphia Zoo which is cool in its own right.

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Originally Posted by JefmcC

I didn't go to Cozumel, but I went snorkeling at Xcaret...

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Did you see any of the ruins?

There's no way I'm goin down there again without checking out Tulum or Chichen Itza.

I went to Seaworld in Orlando last year, I have to get some footage from my DV Cam onto my computer. The sharks with the saw-like noses are cool.

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Originally Posted by Doc Holliday

Did you see any of the ruins?

There's no way I'm goin down there again without checking out Tulum or Chichen Itza.

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Sure did. Went in 2002 and 2003. I have some pics from 2002 on my sucky website. Look for the link in my sig. If you go, skip Tulum and go to Chichen Itza. If you want to see a less restored site, you can take a trip from Cancun to Coba.

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Originally Posted by Doc Holliday

Anyone a scuba diver?

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I went on a cruise to the Caribbean last summer and tried Scuba diving for the first time. It was AMAZING. Seriously.

I'd always wanted to try it...the cruise I was on went to St. Thomas and St. Martin, and you could sign up for various excursions when the ship was docked in port. So (among other things) I decided to sign up for some scuba diving on St. Thomas. A small busload of us went to a beautiful crystal-clear beach where we got some basic lessons, then we were divided 4 to an instructor, and under we went. We went about 40 feet down and stayed there for about 40 minutes.

The freakiest thing about scuba diving was getting used to suddenly being able to breathe underwater. It's harder to get used to than you might think. Then, of course, you have to get the breathing right...if you don't blow out all your air before you take another breath, you won't be able to take enough air in and eventually you won't be able to breathe properly. Of course, they you have to compensate for the pressure every few feet you go down by holding your nose and blowing (to pop your ears). But once you adjust to all that it's fantastic...sounds cheesy, but it's a whole other world under there. I've since taken steps to get certified, though it won't do me much good in NY, as the water here is shit compared to the clear and clean water of the Caribbean.

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Originally Posted by Doc Holliday

:) The pics were nice. Just seemed more Got Next/Korian material.

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That's the meanest thing anyone's ever said to me. :cry:

My friends and I enjoy aquariums too, and during or last travels I came to this conclusion

The aquarium in hell hole Camden New Jersey >>>>>>>> The National Aquarium in Baltimore

Pretty crazy huh? What puts it over the top is that the Camden aquarium has this massive tank in the center that has all sorts of animals swimming around, there are seats where you can chill and watch them swim by. The only thing that the Baltimore one has that is interesting is the dolphin show. If Camden had a dolphin show it would rule all.

And another thing, what is the deal with aquariums having non sea life in their exhibits? Baltimore has this big rain forrest area with birds and monkeys and shit, and they're adding this big terrarium to the building. I mean, these are cool to see and all, but I'd might as well go to a zoo.

Coolest animal at the aquarium: that crazy looking sea horse that looks like seaweed.

Nice thread. I've always enjoyed aquariums too. Here in northern California we have the Steinhart Aquarium in the California Academy of Sciences and Monterey Bay Aquarium, both of which are well worth seeing. Last year, I checked out the Seward Marine Education Center in Seward, Alaska. Although small, there was a lot of great exhbits on Alaska-related sea life and a really nice observation deck overlooking Seward Bay, from which you are supposed to be able to see whales on occaision. A few years ago, I also checked out in Osaka Aquarium in Japan, also somewhat small, but had some nice stuff like some huge deep sea crabs.

Funny you talk about scuba diving, I went snorkeling for the first time in Zihuatanejo, Mexico a few months ago, and it was great. Now I'm thinking of going for some scuba classes and getting certified around here.

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Originally Posted by Regus

The aquarium in hell hole Camden New Jersey >>>>>>>> The National Aquarium in Baltimore

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Really? I've been to the aquarium in Baltimore, I thought it was pretty nice myself. New Orleans has a nice one too.

I'd check out the one you're talking about in Jersey but I try to avoid driving in that fucking state whenever possible.

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Coolest animal at the aquarium: that crazy looking sea horse that looks like seaweed.

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Ah, yes. That'd be the Leafy Sea Dragon I mentioned above. I was so annoyed that its tank was closed...guess I'll have to catch the little fella next time.

Still, damn cool looking, huh?
http://www.divegallery.com/Leafy_Sea_Dragon__1.jpg

Good pics Dole.

Are you sure that third jellyfish picture is a jellyfish? It looks kind of like a Portuguese Man-O-War with those long tentacles. Got stung by one of those in the Keys and it felt like someone stabbed me with a chunk of glass.

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Originally Posted by Jetman

Good pics Dole.

Are you sure that third jellyfish picture is a jellyfish? It looks kind of like a Portuguese Man-O-War with those long tentacles. Got stung by one of those in the Keys and it felt like someone stabbed me with a chunk of glass.

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Well, they're all in the jellyfish family...I don't remember the exact classification of that one. I sure wouldn't want it swimming around in my shorts, however.

My favorite resident at the Monterey Bay Aquarium - the Sunfish.

http://www.kaiyukan.com/eng/life/sunfish.jpg

The Long Beach Aquarium is pretty cool too.

Okay - I was way off - the Man O Wars look a lot different. The tentacles are more bunched, and they look more "baloony".

Kiddies if you see one of these on the water STAY AWAY :sweat:

http://www.gotosnapshot.com/man-o-war/JEL-13-00519.jpg

Very nice shots, I'm still not adjusted to having a digital camera. I usually leave it at home and then regret it later.

I love seahorses and manta rays. Some of the coolest-looking life on the planet. :)

James

I'm going to the Aquarium at Niagara Falls next weekend. Will take the digicam with me :)

I thought the Baltimore Aquarium also had that huge tank where people can sit in front of and watch the bullsharks and shit swim by.

I haven't gone to an aquarium for several years but the Baltimore Aqaurium rocked. I wanted to see those poison arrow dart frogs and I finally got to at BA.

I always liked the fishes that looked like squashed lemons. I don't remember their actual name though...

Doesn't this little guy look like the aliens from the Metal Slug games?
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/board/a...chmentid=11456

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Originally Posted by Klonoa

I wanted to see those poison arrow dart frogs and I finally got to at BA.

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You mean the blue ones?

This was a nice idea for a thread, something original for a change. I always found aquatic life really cool, and somewhat beautiful too, for a long time. It's not a big interest, I just find the ocean life pretty. A friend of mine worked all summer and bought an aquarium in his living room. Now I have to see it.

You know whats a %#@&ing joke... The National Aquarium in D.C.


It's some shithole in the basement of The Commerce Building.

The Smithsonian needs to put a stop to that shit. 'nuff said.

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Originally Posted by BioMechanic

My favorite resident at the Monterey Bay Aquarium - the Sunfish.

http://www.kaiyukan.com/eng/life/sunfish.jpg

The Long Beach Aquarium is pretty cool too.

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It's Kirby's buddy, Kine!!!

Aquariums rock. Haven't been in a while but the one here at the Columbus Zoo is awesome. I was there like every 2 weeks with a couple of friends for one summer a few years back. My one buddy had a handful of season passes because his Mom worked there. And of course, a nice amount of pot was smoked beforehand. We would just lay down on the benches and stare into the tanks for hours.

The Cincinnati Zoo has an even better one but I don't get down there enough.

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Originally Posted by Xeno G

Aquariums rock. Haven't been in a while but the one here at the Columbus Zoo is awesome.

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Hmm...wish I had known about that one when I was in Columbus for the Arnold Classic. Oh, well, there's always 2005...

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Originally Posted by Dolemite

Hmm...wish I had known about that one when I was in Columbus for the Arnold Classic. Oh, well, there's always 2005...

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Yeah dude, you've gotta check it out next year if you're here. The Zoo itself isn't too shabby either.

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Originally Posted by Dolemite

Really? I've been to the aquarium in Baltimore, I thought it was pretty nice myself. New Orleans has a nice one too.

I'd check out the one you're talking about in Jersey but I try to avoid driving in that fucking state whenever possible.

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I think Camden is smaller than Baltimore's aquarium, but it's a quality over quantity type thing. It's worth the trip, and if you're interested in WWII the battleship New Jersey is parked right next to it and you get to take tours through it, it's pretty cool.

Hmm. Sounds nifty.

Here's a few more shots...a Sea Lion and a Walrus.

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Originally Posted by Klonoa

I thought the Baltimore Aquarium also had that huge tank where people can sit in front of and watch the bullsharks and shit swim by.

I haven't gone to an aquarium for several years but the Baltimore Aqaurium rocked. I wanted to see those poison arrow dart frogs and I finally got to at BA.

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Me and my girlfriend went there like 2 weeks ago. It was fun, and the Dolphin show was good times.

I've got pictures I took with an underwater camera when I went snorkling earlier this may, I'll see if I can find them.

I've always been fascinated by underwater life, in most part because it's one of the few undiscovered spots left on the planet. I heard on TV a while back that less than 10% of the ocean has been visited either by humans or robot submarines.


Off topic, I stopped by a Nursery on my lunch break today. It sounds stupid, but it advertises itself as being the largest in Texas. The cool part were the orchids.

I didn’t take pictures :\ , but the pictures I've seen in books just don't look that impressive. What is impressive is that they ran from $45 to $135 a flower!

Have you ever been to the Aquarium in Chicago, Dole? It's got some decent tank sections, but their dolphin and whale display is just gorgeous. It's designed with one entire curcing wall made out of glass panels, so it looks like the tank connects directly to the Great Lake. It was the only decent thing I got out of living in Illinois for that year.

And Baltimore Aquarium smells rancid. Rays do not smell like flowers.

Never been to Chicago.

I will forever love the aquarium at the Atlantis in the Bahamas.

http://www.sheddaquarium.org/
I didn't know it was the "largest indoor aquarium in the world. Look at the pacific northwest. It sucks there isn't a good picture, but that one tank is huge, and the far wall is huge glass looking right over the lake. If you ever go to Chicago for any reason, be sure to check it out, because Chicago is pretty lame otherwise.

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Originally Posted by Jetman

Okay - I was way off - the Man O Wars look a lot different. The tentacles are more bunched, and they look more "baloony".

Kiddies if you see one of these on the water STAY AWAY :sweat:

http://www.gotosnapshot.com/man-o-war/JEL-13-00519.jpg

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They are muchos fun to poke with a stick and pop, we get shitloads of them in 'stralia.

And here I though it was a thread on Fish Tanks.

I have had one running of some sort since I was 8...

Mystic in CT is amazing, they really have done a terrific job with the place. Ever time I go, I end up coming home and upgrading my tank at home. :)

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Originally Posted by Wildkat

And here I though it was a thread on Fish Tanks.

I have had one running of some sort since I was 8...

Mystic in CT is amazing, they really have done a terrific job with the place. Ever time I go, I end up coming home and upgrading my tank at home. :)

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Yeah, it's a really nice place. I've been going there since I was a little kid. Now, you can go to Mystic during the day, and hit the casino after. Makes for a great day trip.

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Originally Posted by Wildkat

And here I though it was a thread on Fish Tanks.

I have had one running of some sort since I was 8...

Mystic in CT is amazing, they really have done a terrific job with the place. Ever time I go, I end up coming home and upgrading my tank at home. :)

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What kind of fish do you keep wildkat? I just tore down my tank, I'll always set up with a certain species then after about a year I get burnt out. I think I'll leave it down for good this time till my son is old enough to keep one of his own.

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Originally Posted by BRAD73

What kind of fish do you keep wildkat? I just tore down my tank, I'll always set up with a certain species then after about a year I get burnt out. I think I'll leave it down for good this time till my son is old enough to keep one of his own.

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Name it, Ive had it at one point.

Right now I am down to a 30Gal fresh water, a Rosy Barb who will not die, he must be pushing 5 or 6, a pair Tiger Danios, couple of Gouramis, the requisite Redcap lionhead goldfish, a pleco and a rapidly growing catfish.

I'm going to stay freshwater for the future, Salt water fish are more colorful and beauitiful, but they are a pain to keep running, and losing a $4-10 freshwater fish is a lot less painfull than loosing a $50+ saltwater fish.

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Originally Posted by Wildkat

Name it, Ive had it at one point.

Right now I am down to a 30Gal fresh water, a Rosy Barb who will not die, he must be pushing 5 or 6, a pair Tiger Danios, couple of Gouramis, the requisite Redcap lionhead goldfish, a pleco and a rapidly growing catfish.

I'm going to stay freshwater for the future, Salt water fish are more colorful and beauitiful, but they are a pain to keep running, and losing a $4-10 freshwater fish is a lot less painfull than loosing a $50+ saltwater fish.

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I understand, the last fish I kept were Discus. I had an Ocean Green(Jack Watley), Red Striated, and a Pigeon Blood. Also a Phantom green pleco in a 29 gallon tank. The upkeep on Discus was just too much and I burnt myself out on them. You're suppose to do water changes every other day and I did for a while but it got really frustrating doing it that much.