Aquarium

Ripley’s Aquarium Myrtle Beach — A Day In Ray Bay

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Grab your trunks, scoop up your family, and head to Ripley’s Aquarium Myrtle Beach for a chance to swim alongside some of nature’s most exotic undersea fauna!

Stingray aficionados and brave young marine explorers alike have discovered a sweet spot in their quest for an up close and personal experience at Ripley’s Aquarium Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. At Ripley’s Aquarium (yes, that’s the same Ripley’s that does Believe It Or Not), a beautiful stingray environment hosts southern rays, spotted eagle rays, and guitarfish in a child-friendly setup that lets all comers swim with the rays.

Stingrays, despite the dangerous sounding name, are generally docile and prefer to flee from a disturbance rather than attack it — making them excellent first companions for young swimmers. Even better, because rays in the wild have a startling ability to hide themselves under sand and silt, environments like the one in Ripley’s Aquarium Myrtle Beach offer a rare opportunity to watch these unique creatures undulate through the waters.

The controlled environment also prevents swimmers from accidentally stepping on a stingray — the number one cause of stingray attacks. While even the rays at Ripley’s have venomous stingers, the safety of the habitat combined with the socialization of the rays (they’re accustomed to human company) makes for a completely safe experience. No swimmer has ever been stung in the Myrtle Beach aquarium’s Ray Bay.

Some rays have powerful jaws meant to crack open shellfish, and because stingrays have eyes on the topsides of their flat bodies, but mouths on the bottom, they don’t always know what they’re munching on. The danger of being bitten is minimal as long as you obey the cardinal rule of ray-petting: keep your hands on the top side of the ray. That way, the rays know what is touching them, and you keep your hand away from the dangerous parts.

Of course, all of these rules are covered and enforced by the Ripley’s Aquarium Myrtle Beach staff, who are intimately familiar with the animals and their tendencies. With the well-trained and observant guides on duty, the humans are kept safe from the animals and vice versa.

Ray Bay is available as a walk-around exhibit for aquarium-goers, and the chance to pet a ray is granted to standard customers as well, but the true Ray Bay experience can only be obtained via a special pass. Explorers who invest in a Ray Bay pass will get a behind-the-scenes tour of Ray Bay and the rest of the aquarium, a once-in-a-lifetime chance to swim with and feed the rays, plus some special souvenirs. And stingray fans that have their dive certification can participate in a special dive into the ray’s special sanctum — the depths of the Myrtle Beach aquarium’s Ray Bay.

The next time you’re wondering what to do on a rainy day, or your junior aquanauts are seeking something exciting to occupy an afternoon, give them an experience that they’ll never forget: send them to the rays. Ripley’s Aquarium Myrtle Beach will make them feel like the bravest explorers in the seas.

Moon Jellyfish Aquarium – Blooming Marine Life

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Walking distance from restaurant Peter Pan, Imperial Court and Flora Garden is the Moon Jellyfish Aquarium. In a fascinating locality, Macau; the gambling capital of China, the jellyfish seem to be at peace. They draw a fair bit of attention from those who visit both the renowned Macau Grand Prix and the Las Vegas style casinos. >

For an independently run jurisdiction that has liberated itself to develop at its own pace, Macau is certainly doing things in style. With a sound western appeal and a strong oriental flavour in all its activities, Macau is among the top favourite tourist destinations in China.

The Moon Jellyfish Aquarium, one of the few of its kind in this part of the world, is located at the reception of the Encore Lobby. The opulent ambience of the aquarium is apparent as you walk in through the foyer. The building is well lit, ornate yet, elegant. The species do not occupy a very large space, but the jellyfish imported from Thailand and Japan have been given due prominence. Their translucent bodies move graciously without disturbing the water they swim in under heavy artificial lighting. This is done in order to replicate their natural habitat, closer to the surface of the ocean. The azure waters are crystal clear to permit a good view of the species. Only the experts will be able to distinguish between the many varieties of moon jellyfish as they have evolved only slightly and share many similarities.

The moon jellyfish or jellies as they are sometimes referred to, sting their victim and capture them in the slender tuft like tentacles, which give the jellies a floral appearance. The jellies mostly come in tints of pink and white with a pearly effect to their exterior.

A short taxi ride should carry you from your Macau hotel to the venue of the moon jellies. The luxury hotels Macau is known for are popular with the would be gamblers, the racers and even the nature enthusiasts, so you will be at home amidst a crowd that has similar tastes if you choose a well known name such as Galaxy Macau Resort Hotel for your accommodation when in this trendy destination.

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Top 10 Reasons To Visit Connecticut

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A small state in New England that is popular for its rural beauty and charm, Connecticut has several major cities. It is also populated with top tourist destinations like Yale University which is home to several world-class museums, the Maritime Aquarium, Mystic Seaport, the nightlife and restaurants of New Haven, as well as two major casinos.

Here are ten reasons why you need to book a trip to Connecticut.

1. First time visitors in Connecticut may get in touch with the Farmington Valley Visitors Association. They can find good lodging and accommodations in Farmington Valley which is just a couple of hours away from Boston and New York. Pick a season then a lodging property. Every property provides a unique package, such as a romantic escape, outdoor adventure, or family activities.

2. Those who love a relaxing afternoon outdoor may go to the Connecticut College Arboretum, where 750 acres of property includes a college campus, natural areas, and plant collections. Visitors will love the Campus Landscape which boasts of 120 acres of trees culled from various places in the world, as well as its Native Plant collection which has 20 acres of wildflowers and woody plants grown in North America. Theres also the Caroline Black Garden which has a diverse collection of woody plants.

3. For those wanting to shop, try the G & L Country Barn which also has a Christmas Shop boasting of a wide array of home decor, gifts, collectibles plus impressive displays.

4. Visitors who appreciate history can drop by the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center which provides tourists with a glimpse of prehistoric New England.

5. Those who love the beach life can go to Misquamicut Beach, which is popular for its crystal clear water and white sand. It also features a wide array of activities for everyone such as mini-golf, amusement parks, among others. Those up for a gastronomic experience will also love its impressive array of seafood cuisine.

6. Those who love underwater creatures will love the Mystic Aquarium. Here, some 3,500 creatures will make even the most disinterested of tourists take notice.

7. Visitors will also find the Mystic Seaport an enchanting destination, what with its historic tall ships that provide the backdrop of a 19th century feel.

8. For visitors looking for activities that will appeal to most members of the family, then the Ocean Beach Park is the place to go. It has pools of various sizes that can cater to kids or adults. Theres also a fun center with video arcades as well as various rides and a mini-golf area. Adults who like to sweat it out can spend time in the health club. Those who love just walking around can explore the area as well as its view deck. There are also areas for picnics as well as corporate events.

9. Those wanting an extraordinary mall experience ought to try the Olde Mistick Village, with 60 shops and restaurants.

10. Another place tourists should visit is the Dinosaur Place which has activities like digging for gems and unearthing of dinosaurs skeleton.

Indeed, Connecticut is a lovely and interesting place to visit.

Aiptasia Eaters Now Abvailable In Canada – Bergia Nudibranch Survival Guide

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The Bergian Variety Of Nudibranches Eradicate Aiptasia

Aiptasia in home aquariums will quickly be eradicated do to the wide adoption of Bergia Nudibranches now available in Canada. The chief benefit of this incredible creature is that it only feeds on Aiptasia, therefore making it a safe addition to your reef aquarium.

Aiptasia flourishes in very little light, hiding in the crags of liverock, and corals. Thankfully, the Berghia is very small in size, and can get into those tiny spaces, without harming coral or liverock. Nudibranches are the only species able to consume the entire aiptasia, and therefore prevent aiptasia regrowth and spawning. Another benefit is that the Berghia are so small, they won’t add bioload to the tank, or effect the quality of the water.

Berghia are quick reproducers at the same time, due to their hermaphroditic nature. Mature adults can lay eggs every single day. On a side note, it is important to understand that the Berghia feeds solely on Aiptasia, and for this reason must be monitored, as once the eradication of the Aiptasia happens, the creature will starve to death.

Berghia are very smart little creaatures. They have sensory organs known as rhinophores thata are able to use chemicals to find the location of the Aiptasia. This means that Berghia can find even the tiniest Aiptasia, not visible to the naked eye, and wipe out the parasite completely before it reaches adulthood. Berghia are able to eat the Aiptasia successfully, because of strategies it employs to approach the Aiptasia without the parasite feeling endangered. This prevents the release of the tentacles and larva, meaning it prevents new reproduction from occurring. Berghia is also harmless to the other fauna and flora in the aquarium, and primarily feed at night, which won’t affect the beauty of your tank during the day.

What to Expect after the Introduction of Berghia

The recommendation is for every 100 gallons of water that 8 Berghia be introduced to the tank, for a moderate to severe infestation of Aiptasia. If there are only a few Aiptasia anenomes present, it is not recommended to add Bergiha to the tank, as it won’t have enough food to sustain itself, and will starve to death. Berghia are a species of sea slug and need the appropriate environment to thrive and survive in. Keeping this in mind, there are some areas where this sea slug won’t be able to help, such as if an infestation occurs in tubing, powerheads, or the sump. These areas should be kept clean at all times by you, the reef owner to prevent the spread of Aiptasia.

How long will it take for Berghia to wipe out the Aiptasia infestation?

This primarily depends on how bad the infestation of Aiptasia is, and how many Berghia have been introduced into the tank. It should be assumed that for 8 Berghia, two to three months would be an appropriate amount of time. It’s so important to not get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results. Berghia need time to acclimate to their new surroundings before they are able to wipe out the infestation.

Caring for Berghia

There are many species of animals that are considered quite safe for reef aquariums, however, this is not always the case. Here are some species to avoid in an aquarium containing Berghia. Avoid any nocturnal species that hunt near the liverock, or coral, such as butterfly fish, filefish, wrasses, and some species of dotty backs. Other species which prey on Berghia include peppermint shrimp, coral-banded shrimp, and some invertebrates, such as the arrow crab, sally lightfoot crab, pom pom crabs, and emerald crabs . Aiptasia can consume Berghia if the sea slug is placed directly into it’s mouth. Therefore, take precaution when adding the Berghia into your reef tank.

In conclusion, nature has answered the Aiptasia infestation with a natural predator, the Berghia. As long as it acclimates to its new surroundings, it will eradicate the Aiptasia infestation, and keep the population under control. It is so important to keep the tank well cared for, to ensure the health of the creatures that inhabit the reef. With attention and care, the saltwater aquarium can be danger free of unwanted parasites, and be a beautiful addition to any home.

Bob hunter has been studying natural predatory aquarium practices for several decades, and holds a faculty position at http://www.uoguelph.ca. More information about bergian nudibranches for aiptasia control can be found at http://bergianudibranch.ca.

How To Breed Betta Fish During The Winter Without Sending Your Power Bill Through The Roof.

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Betta Fish or Betta Splendens are a small fish that naturally can be found in the warm tropical areas of South East Asia and as such require warm water if kept in your home aquarium. Therefore most breeders of Betta Fish who live in climates with cold winters and hot summers choose to breed them during the summer as the demands of keeping the water warm are much less.

So if you have ever been interested in breeding Betta Fish and have always put it off because it’s too cold for half of the year then think again. There are simple, inexpensive ways to construct a Betta Fish breeding area that will decrease your electricity needs and still keep your Bettas nice and warm in an environment that makes them happy to breed.

So first of all, if your summer climate is ideal for breeding Bettas then why would you want to breed during the coldest part of the year anyway? Well for a start, breeding Betta Fish is an indoor activity. So if you like to get out and about and enjoy the outdoors during the summer then having a breeding tank full of Betta fry, that are dependant on you for their survival, may inhibit your lifestyle. After all most people do like to take their holidays during the summer. During the winter though it is mostly cold and miserable outside so having an indoor activity to keep you busy may be just the thing to get you through the winter. Another great reason for breeding Betta Fish during the winter is that if you are the only breeder in your area breeding during this time then you won’t have as much competition when it come to selling your Bettas.

So you can see there are advantages in breeding during the winter, so now the question is how to go about it without sending your power bill through the roof.
Well if you live in a climate where the temperature drops well below freezing during the winter then you will probably already be heating your house 24/7. Therefore keeping a breeding room warm shouldn’t be a problem as you are already heating your house. On the other hand though, if you live where the overnight temperature drops to only about 0 degrees Celsius then you’ll probably only be heating your house for a few hours a day. This is the situation where you will have to supply specific heating for your Betta Fish breeding area and this is also where you will need to be careful that it doesn’t become too much of a burden on your power consumption.

So instead of heating a whole room, why not build a cabinet for your breeding tanks that is insulated and can be enclosed to keep the heat in. Now the great thing about this is you can do it inside a room in your house or if you have a garage with some spare space then you can even do it there as well. Therefore what you will discover is when you heat the water in your tanks the radiated heat from the tanks is not lost but trapped inside the cabinet. This warmth inside the cabinet then greatly lessens the demand on you aquarium heaters and as such will reduce your power consumption.

Therefore your next challenge will be lighting the inside of your cabinet. After all you can’t keep your Bettas in the dark. Luckily though these days low energy light globes are now fairly easy to source. These will consume a minimum of energy while still providing enough light. To increase the brightness inside of your cabinet you can also paint it with a white paint. This will allow you to use the lowest wattage light globe while still providing enough light for your Bettas.
Another consideration with placing fish tanks inside an enclosed cabinet might be condensation. If you leave the covers on your tanks this should not be a problem but if you forget one day you may have a problem. Therefore mount all your electrical connections on the outside of the cabinet. You might also consider using a water proof light. Another option might be to use water proof paint but if you set up your cabinet correctly condensation shouldn’t become an issue. Nevertheless it still doesn’t hurt to take it into account.

Therefore if you’ve ever considered breeding Betta Fish but decided not to because it was too cold, then think again. There are simple, inexpensive methods that are easy to set up and won’t send your power bill through the roof.