The Logistics Behind a $12.5 Million Aquarium Exhibit | WSJ Operating Costs

The National Aquarium in Baltimore says it spends $45 million in annual operating costs on important upkeep like dive cleaning, filtration systems and feed for all kinds of fish.

WSJ visited their Blacktip Reef exhibit to see what it takes to maintain a 270,000 gallon tank and keep over 600 animals like sharks, Australian whiptail rays and Queensland groupers alive and healthy.

0:00 Over 600 animals live in this tank
0:38 Dive cleaning
2:08 Filtration systems and replicating sea water
3:35 Feeding and training the animals
5:58 Adding animals to Blacktip Reef

#Aquarium #NationalAquarium #WSJ

[mitchykillya]

Free my man Duncan he ain’t done nothing wrong

[BradThePitts]

I always wondered why in aquariums the bigger fish aren't always constantly eating the smaller fish. After watching this the answer is obvious - the fish all well fed already, but sometimes one live fish does swallow another.

[AryaRajmane]

I've been here and it's truly an amazing aquarium. Great to see how much work goes into maintaining this place

[monyroath]

As long as the animals are happy and healthy, I have no problem with facilities like this. They are very well taken care of which make people happy to see them

[ROZDAB]

Have been to quite a few aquariums in my lifetime and I have to say this is one of the best out there. If you are ever in Baltimore area definitely go visit.

[quinnmorgendorffer]

going to the national aquarium is always a fun, educational experience

[Charley_Goji]

Duncan when he sees plastic tank decorations: 👁👄👁

[bryanpascual]

Duncan the pufferfish is that rebel that chews on a class set pencil that got sent to the corner because of misbehavior

[Tivon]

I can only imagine how long it took to cycle this tank 😅

[sharkclubpenguin]

makes me appreciate how much operating costs the Georgia Aquarium has to run. Thank u Bernie Marcus for donating $250 million to allow the aquarium to be the largest in America.

[shane]

I wonder why they don’t add algae eating species in the reef to make their work load of cleaning the algae ridden tanks often

[AlphaParticle]

I would def go here if I ever visit Baltimore

[redbean]

free my boy Duncan he ain't do nothing

[tallperson]

Anyone ever visiting Baltimore has to visit this place. It's absolutely amazing.

[Oceans_ai]

Happy to be an ambassador here. Worth every penny.

[Jordankjfruykvkjruyk]

FREE DUNCAN ✊ he has rights and needs representation.

[TheNoerdy]

Not to be rude, but why are they cleaning the coral? Coral doesn’t get cleaned like that in nature.

[GDon]

Duncan the puffer fish has limited days left. Sorry buddy, don't eat the $800, 000 replicated coral!

[edimalan]

The shed aquarium in Chicago shipped in sea water and never replaced I wonder how they did that and they have to replace theirs

[RizeNthryve]

I can barely keep my Ember Tetras alive and these people are keeping 100's of different species alive!