Have you ever gone diving in an Aquarium?

[Eskasi]

Ok...These don't technically qualify for this section. I was deciding where I should post this.....

I went on a dive in "Aquaria" in KLCC (Petronas Twin Towers) in Kuala Lumpur, malaysia. What an AWESOME experience! I am still new to diving and plan to get a Sea & Sea DX-1G soon. These pictures however were taken by my wife with my DSLR from the OTHER side of the GLASS. My good friends and in-laws were also there watching.

I must say, it was worth every cent. The management was very professional and the utmost care was taken to ensure there was as little stress on the aquatic life as possible. I felt like a celebrity too as everywhere I was, people would beckon me over and ask me to pose with them for a photo.....waving to the kids was half the fun (although I swear I believe quite a few of them were secretly hoping I got bitten by the sharks!)

Please don't flame me for those of you who disagree with aquariums and the like......I must say I too don't agree much with animals or fish in captivity....however, this was certainly a dive I had to do.

At times, I was less than 15cm away from the shark's teeth and got bumped more than once. Keep in mind that during the briefing and in the disclaimer, it was mentioned that the sharks would go for hands that waved around dramatically (like how new divers fail around) and they would also lunge for paniced divers heading for the surface. Incidents have happened.....

I have a few more if anyone really wants to see.....

[Eskasi]

Errr....I don't really know how to embed these pictures so you won't have to click on them to view the larger image....sorry

[bogrady]

Disney EPCOT DiveQuest.

Much closer and easier to get to then KLM

[Damselfish]

Disney EPCOT DiveQuest.

Much closer and easier to get to then KLM
probably not for the OP... ;)

[almitywife]

in sydney you can dive Manly Aquarium and its kinda fun to do.... was thinking of taking Almitychild there for Christmas

[Eskasi]

I'm from Perth but reside and work in Azerbaijan.....I have never been diving in Australia but am hoping to check it out soon. As far as aquarium diving goes though, its a guarantee to see big fish.....ensure good vis.....and to allow the whole family to participate. Great fun!

Honestly, for non divers, it is the best way to get an incredible experience. The Aquaria in Malaysia did a discover course for only $15 more than regular certified divers. Having said that, I would admit that it would be a pity if all newbie divers expected to see this kind of aquatic life in thier first few dives.....that would certainly be a letdown and a wrong way to get introduced to diving....I say this even though my first 30 dives took me to Florida, Sharm El Sheikh and various islands of Malaysia....

[Cacia]

wooooow...nice.

I was recently invited but I am afraid of the cooties. I heard some of the aquarium divers have infections. I am really afraid of all that stuff...

THOSE are some cool pictures! thanks for sharing.

I like the asian man pointing thru the glass at mister toofy

[rockjock3]

I tried, but all the water spills out as soon as I get my head and shoulders into the tank. The little plastic plants also keep getting screwed up. :D

[sharky60]

Man, how fun is that!

I am a volunteer at the Dallas Aquarium at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas. Until last month when the exhibit had a structural failure and it was decided to cut it down for a tidal touch pool rather then replace it, we had a 12,000 gal. "Flooded Amazon rainforest" exhibit that we did dive shows in.

we had a full faced mask with a mic in it and headphones so we could talk with the guests & a host thru a microphone on the outside. we did cleaning dives and feeding dives where we got to had feed 3 - 40lb. pacu's, related to piranhas but veggie eaters & 2 - 30lb armored catfish among the some 800 fish in the tank. really a lot of fun.

the Maui Ocean Center in Hawaii has a "tourist" dive if you will, that for a fee you get a backstage tour of the facilities and get to dive their large tank with the tiger shark, whoo hooo!!

[ScubaTexan]

Awesome pictures! Thanks for sharing. Now, I'm REALLY jealous... :)

[keruxts]

Dove epcot....it was cool....just wondering when padi will make that a specialty course

[sharky60]

Dove epcot....it was cool....just wondering when padi will make that a specialty course

as soon as they can market it:crafty:

[ScubaTexan]

I am a volunteer at the Dallas Aquarium at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas. Until last month when the exhibit had a structural failure and it was decided to cut it down for a tidal touch pool rather then replace it, we had a 12,000 gal. "Flooded Amazon rainforest" exhibit that we did dive shows in.


That's really disappointing. I always looked forward to seeing that show at the State Fair every year. :(

[divefreaky]

i dive the tennessee aquarium, its a blast

[caroln]

I dove the shark tank at the Camden aquarium in NJ this weekend, and it was a lot of fun. The sharks were amazing up close. 26 of them in the tank, and 3 of us.

[fishballer]

hmmm...i'll have to dive that when i go back to KL next yr.

how much did they charge?

[Aardvark]

Manly Oceanworld dive is very cool. They stopped doing it for a while but have started again. The "Leyton Hewitt sock puppet" to avoid damage to the rays on your reg/mask as they glide over you is interesting.

[Rhino_Portland_Oregon]

I'm a diver for the Oregon Coast Aquarium....

Clean the glass, and vaccume up the shark Poop... It's great !! My family always comes and my girls get to see me behind the glass. There are tubes for the visitors to go through so the animals are all around them.

THe best part is the visitors are sometimes more excited to see the divers... It's very rewarding to do....

And BTW.. A PADI habitat coarse was required before getting into the tanks....

[alcina]

How fun it that?

I used to be a diver at the aquarium in Perth, Western Australia, and loved it. Always fun to take people in, to wave at those outside looking in and to see what our residents were up to.

It's not all fun and games when you work there, but I really enjoyed it. I'm not a big fan of aquariums and decidedly less so after working in one - there are aquariums I refuse to go to and those that I think have something valid to offer (Monterey being one).

[MontereyCADiver]

As a volunteer diver at the Monterey Bay Aquarium for over 7 years, I can easily say that it's fantastic! I truly enjoy my experiences there. Everyone, from the other volunteers, staff, and guests of MBA are great to be with.

Our responsibilities range from using an underwater vacuum (siphon), cleaning windows, feeding the animals, etc. Some of the dives are long and cold, but they're necessary to keep the exhibits in good condition.

[Eskasi]

hmmm...i'll have to dive that when i go back to KL next yr.

how much did they charge?

400RM or USD$115 for certified divers
450RM or USD$130 for discover course

Price includes a DVD of your dive and a Tshirt.

Quite cheap as far as aquarium diving goes....price does not get discounted if you have your own gear. Family and friends get 20% off the entry if they come to watch. Its a really nice aquarium as far as those go.....

All gear is Brand new and they use all Mares stuff....there is a ad for Mares in a corner of the aquarium in the water...

[sharky60]

That's really disappointing. I always looked forward to seeing that show at the State Fair every year. :(

Come by and see us anyway:D the new Tidal Pool Touch tank that the Amazon tank has been cut down to should be really cool when it gets up and going.

I'm not sure if the new exhibit will up and "fully" running by Fair time this year, just 3 short weeks away. We do plan on having the exhibit completed, just wheather or not we will have all the animals that we plan to put in it or not is the question. but we do have plenty of critter to use until the sharks and rays show up.

After the Fair the plan is to close the entire aquarium 3 months for a face lift. the last real renovations of the place, not including the addition of the Amazon tank in '85, was in the mid 60's. So this is long overdue.

As soon as I figure out what days I can work for the Fair I'll put a post on the "Texas Swamp Divers" forum if anyone wants to stop by and say "howdy".

[ScubaTexan]

As soon as I figure out what days I can work for the Fair I'll put a post on the "Texas Swamp Divers" forum if anyone wants to stop by and say "howdy".

I'll do that. :)

[DesertEagle]

The New England Aquarium Dive Club in Boston hosts a raffle each month. The winner gets a dive in the Giant Ocean Tank.

The tank is small by today's standards (200,000 gallons/750,000 liters). However, it's quite well-stocked with lots of fish. There are several species of sharks.

[BobArnold8265]

My wife and I are both volunteer aquarium divers. We started earlier this year and have a lot of fun. We dive in a relatively small tank (about 12 feet deep) but it is filled with a huge variety of fish. Our routine is to put on a show for the kids first. An "educator" does the talking outside of the tank and the diver inside the tank shows their gear and swim around a little for the crowd. We then feed the fish which is a real adventure. The fish really know the routine and swarm you when you pull out their food. If you value your fingers, you need to release the food very quickly !!!

After the show, we spend a few minutes cleaning the tank. Either cleaning the glass or scrubbing the walls. It's a great way to get a little diving in and help the aquarium. I'd recommend it to any diver !!!!

[alcina]

Feeding in the tank is why I learned to wear my mask inside my hood...darn rays sucking on the top of your head! Kinda like the old Mummy movies :D

[LiteHedded]

i dove the epcot aquarium once.
but they don't let you bring a camera

[DiveTub]

Yep I work at the Aquarium Of Western Australia (AQWA) guiding the Shark Dives and doing the feeds on Weekends.
The main tank is 140ft X 60ft & 16ft deep.

Cheers
Chris

Some photos of me doing the feed :D (when my server comes online again grrrr)

http://uwphotog.com/misc/aqwa/DSC_2093_1.jpg

http://uwphotog.com/misc/aqwa/DSC_2097_1.jpg

http://uwphotog.com/misc/aqwa/DSC_2104_1.jpg

http://uwphotog.com/misc/aqwa/DSC_2105_1_1.jpg

[RoyN]

Did a project dive in the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Didn't have a camera at the moment, but the next time I jump in the aquarium, I'll take some shots of me doing something stupid. :)

[Eskasi]

Ok, I dont mean to revive this thread.....but I had to share this....

So, I told a pal of mine about the dive I did in Malaysia....he decided to go....guess what?

The SOB turns up on Malaysia's National Day....Miss Msia and the Prime Minister are guest divers....he of course (after being asked) decides to guide Miss Msia (because of his DM cert). The place is packed... I await his "evidence" via the video that was taken of the event.....the lucky SOB!!!!

[Mahhz]

I'm a volunteer diver at the South Carolina Aquarium, we have a 385,000 gallon tank there....pretty fun, got lots of poop to vaccum.