Beyond the Aquarium
Laboratory
LThe tasks performed in our laboratory can be divided into 2 categories. Firstly, we carry out analyses of every tank to determine if physical and chemical parameters of the water are at the optimum level since animal welfare is directly proportional to the quality of the living environment.
Secondly, we monitor and treat diseases, and add vitamin complexes to the animal's diet to prevent such diseases.
Quarantine
This is where the new animals spend the adaptation period when they arrive at Costa de Almería Aquarium. During that time, which lasts about a month, we monitor their behaviour and their response to the new diet. We also eliminate possible diseases or parasites that they can carry to prevent them from spreading into the main tanks.
Here, we treat sick and injured fish, which undergo veterinary treatment until they are fully recovered.
Feeding
At the Aquarium's kitchen we prepare the food for the animals whose diet is based on fish (hake, mackerel), squids, mussels, prawns... Depending on the feeding requirements, vegetables (spinach, carrots, peas, corn) and vitamin complexes can also be added to the diet.
Controlling the amount of food supplied is essential to avoid overfeeding and to ensure the correct functioning of the Aquarium. The food, which is estimated based on biomass (weight of the animals kept in each tank), is weighted daily.
Filtration
In total, Costa de Almería Aquarium holds about 2.5 million litres of water which operate on a closed loop system. The weekly rate of water renewal may vary depending on the need.
The filtration systems include sand filters, UV lamps, ozone generator and protein skimmers. They treat, disinfect and prevent food and waste particles from affecting the water quality.
Controlling the temperature and lightning in each tank is also important. The control is achieved semi-automatically by using electronic devices, always under the supervision of the technical staff from the Biology and Maintenance Department.