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@ktran
SCRM๐Ÿ˜Žย Coolย KidsโšกSPS Slinger
Joined May 2026161 posts683 ptsโ˜…5.0(1)๐Ÿ“ Tustin, CA
๐Ÿ”ง Build Contributor
LoungeยทSep 11ยท๐Ÿ‘ 168#1

Public Aquariums

Took a trip recently and it got me thinking about how much of this hobby started with standing in front of a big tank as a kid. Every city we travel to if there's an aquarium or zoo it's always on the list. So: what public aquariums have you been to, and which one stuck with you? A few things I'm curious about beyond just theๅๅ‰:
  • Best reef/coral exhibit you've seen in person. Who's actually
growing SPS well versus who's running plastic?
  • Kid verdict, if you've dragged family along
Ours locally:
  • Birch Aquarium (La Jolla)
  • Aquarium of the Pacific (Long Beach)
  • Cabrillo Marine Aquarium (San Pedro)
  • Monterey Bay, if you're going further
Post photos if you've got them.

โ€” Always keeping it simple

18

Replies (18)

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  1. @wsoldier
    ๐Ÿ˜Žย Coolย Kidsโ›ฐ๏ธAquascaper
    Joined Aug 202632 posts140 pts๐Ÿ“ Burbank, CA
    Sep 12ยท edited Sat, Sep 12 ยท 2:46 PM#17
    @Fog_King_Reefer wrote: Question for @wsoldier, real or not real? photo
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Definitely real and one of AOP's nicer reef tanks. It's only the larger tanks usually where they use the artificial coral, which coincidentally were actually molded from dead coral skeleton.
  • @Fog_King_Reefer
    ๐Ÿ˜Žย Coolย Kids๐Ÿค“Coral Nerd
    Joined Aug 202614 posts59 pts๐Ÿ“ Parker Co.
    Sep 13#18
    While it's no where near as big as Aquarium of the Pacific, if you're interested in the local SoCal marine flora and fauna and are in the Dana Point area, there is the Ocean Institute down in the harbor. It's geared more towards education for younger people.
  • @ktran
    SCRM๐Ÿ˜Žย Coolย KidsโšกSPS SlingerOP
    Joined May 2026161 posts683 ptsโ˜…5.0(1)๐Ÿ“ Tustin, CA
    ๐Ÿ”ง Build Contributor
    Sep 13#19
    If anyone snorkels i heard laguna is CLEAR right now too.

    โ€” Always keeping it simple

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