Today's moment of zen . . .

[Krootie]

Kuroshio Sea - 2nd largest aquarium tank in the world on Vimeo

(Give this some time to load before watching...otherwise you won't have smooth playback)

This was shot at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Japan.

The main tank called the "Kuroshio Sea" holds 7,500-cubic meters (1,981,290 gallons) of water and features the world's second largest acrylic glass panel, measuring 8.2 meters by 22.5 meters with a thickness of 60 centimeters. Whale sharks and manta rays are kept amongst many other fish species in the main tank.

The music is "Please don't go" by Barcelona.

This was shot using a Canon 5DMKII with a 28-135mm lens.

THERE IS SUCH INCREDIBLE LIFE IN OUR OCEANS....WE MUST PROTECT THEM!

[NCC1701]

Nice, I suppose. Impressive size for a single tank. Very barren though. Some plant life, kelp maybe, would improve it. The multitude of species are, of course, unnaturally cramped together. That's common in big aquariums. But, it would be nice to have some plants. Not surprising that an aquarium in Japan would have little regard for the well being of its captives though.

Japan, one of the last countries on Earth which still sanctions the wholesale slaughter of dolphins.
Japanese dolphin slaughter continues unabated
Just Google japan dolphin slaughter if you're not familiar with it.

[Krootie]

Hum, . . . hadn't thought about that - and should have as I've always had plants in our home aquariums. Visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium in 2004. Varied plant life among the fish. Here's their web cam: Kelp Forest Web Cam: Monterey Bay Aquarium Loved their Jellies Exhibit - great music, too.

[NukleoN]

The oceans are an amazing ecosystem. Now, if we can get the Japanese to stop slaughtering whales, that'd be excellent, not to mention the other animals they erroneously believe to confer some mystical benefit, which drives a black-market economy resulting in unnecessary slaughter of some protected animals.

[sandalscout]

Very cool video, it would be neat to see it in person. I keep coral reef tanks, trying to keep them as ocean friendly as possible with captive breed fish and tank grown corals. Fortunately, that industry is getting a lot better.

Unfortunately, Japan is not the only problem in the water, overfishing is such a big problem that isn't even acknowledged by the very industry that it will eventually cripple in one way or another. From rapidly declining skate populations to idiots in Tampa dumping sharks in the middle of residential neighborhoods, plus the effects of global warming and ocean acidification, I think that the next 100-200 years is going to be rough for our world's waters.

[NCC1701]

Originally Posted by sandalscout

I think that the next 100-200 years is going to be rough for our world's waters.

And it follows, rough for life on land as well.

[sandalscout]

Originally Posted by NCC1701

And it follows, rough for life on land as well.

Most certainly

[Dunerunner]

Originally Posted by NukleoN

The oceans are an amazing ecosystem. Now, if we can get the Japanese to stop slaughtering whales, that'd be excellent, not to mention the other animals they erroneously believe to confer some mystical benefit, which drives a black-market economy resulting in unnecessary slaughter of some protected animals.

Not some mystical benefit NukleoN, money drives every black market!

[duckyboy1975]

Wow, that would be such a hassle to clean... and I think doing water changes on my 30 gallon every week is a lot....

[forestacademy]

A Properly balanced Ecosystem cleans its self.