21st Feb 2010 arrived like any other day in the middle of Winter. Cold, Damp with the odd Snow Blizzard thrown in was not going to deter us from heading off down the Ards Peninsula for a pre-arranged Reef Club get together. Exploris, a small endemic species Public Aquarium was our destination.
We all met in the Car-Park around 1pm, it was great to see some old faces from the NIRC's conception. It surely has swelled in numbers since those halcyon days. I hope it continues to grow as such as I'm sure it will under the guidance of many dedicated members.
Upon entering the establishment we were first led on a behind-the-scenes tour by one of the staff. In this area all or most of the exhibits were housed in a battery of tanks of various sizes and depths, all were plumbed and lighted adequate for their inhabitants.
Behind the Scenes Tour
After an in-depth explanation of the inner workings of this area we were lead to the eagerly awaited Pump House.
A massive building around the back of the aquarium opened its doors to a collassial pumping station.
Pumps and Pumping Station
With the excitement of seeing the heart of the operation over, we were then led to some various sized holding vats, These were quite large and were fabricated from, what seemed like galvanized metal which was painted. I think these were used as pre-exhibit holding containers.
Large Pre-Exhibit Holding Vats
Next on the agenda, we were treated to another aspect of life at Exploris. The staff are involved in seal conservation and pride themselves on being able to offer medical assistance to seals that have had the misfortune of contacting disease or have been injured.
This is a very interesting part of daily life at the aquarium where once admitted to the sanctuary they are nursed back to full health and returned once more into the wild to continue their natural life.
Seal Holding & Treatment Pens
Pre-Release Ponds and recuperating seals
"Onward and Upward" as they say, finally we were turned loose into the exhibition area proper. Tanks that had housed the specimens which we had mulled over behind the scenes offered up the vision of what the general public comes to see. Numerous tanks of various dimensions held a myriad of endemic fish and invertebrate species found around our shores. Below are just some of those species.
As we meandered from room to room we were treat to a vast array of knowledgeable facts and figures in the shape graphical posters which festooned almost every wall as we advanced.
The "Pièce de résistance" of the day, for me anyway had to be this glorious Lion/Scorpion fish
The culmination of the tour finished with a large floor to ceiling exhibit containing many fish and inverts from our type locality, this was a truly amazing sight.
The day rounded off with a visit to the touch pool and kids educational area followed by the obligatory cup of Skinny Latte (lol) in the cafe and a few souvenirs of the day were to be picked up for a reasonable price in the gift shop.
Then home for a bite to eat
OK maybe not that Big, but pretty damn close...
It was a very enjoyable day out and one of many more I hope as the club goes from strength to strength.
Regards
C
