Related Resources • Beginners Set Up Tips • Breeding Clowns & Bangaai's • Fish Care • Worldwide Public Aquariums & Aquatic Attractions

From Other Guides • CD-ROM Fish Craft

After hearing about this highly talked about aquarium while visiting in the area in July 2000, we stopped in to see what it was all about. We discovered a beautifully maintained 135 gallon tank that was home to a Naso Tang, Yellow Tang, Sailfin Tang, Flame Angel, Flame Hawk, Royal Gramma Basslet, Chalk Basslet, Harlequin Basslet, Dog Faced Puffer, Pajama Cardinalfish, a mated pair of False Clownfish, a few Engineer Gobies and several hermit crabs. It was entertaining to watch the Clownfish chase other fish away from a cluster of their eggs attached high up on the side of the aquarium glass behind the intake tube.

Upon asking the librarian on duty, Dorothy Matsui, about the aquarium, she told us that the it had been maintained and stocked by Jeff Estes of SeaSystems Aquariums for several years. Talking with Jeff he stated that, "The staff at the children's section deserve a lot of praise for their dedication to feeding and observing the aquarium residents." Jeff said that they try to maintain a stimulating, but peaceful population of aquatic inhabitants in the aquarium. The system employs a wet/dry trickle filtration system, a mechanical/chemical filtration system, a foam fractioner (or protein skimmer), an ultraviolet sterilization unit, with about 20 reserve gallons in the filtration system. Some of the equipment is labeled and identified for viewers.

To help visitors learn about the inhabitants that reside in the aquarium, the kids have created a "Meet Our Sea Creatures" coloring book style poster that is displayed next to the tank. It shows pictures of the animals colored in with crayons and gives the common name for each of them. What a creative and fun way for them to teach others, and themselves, about their very special salty friends. We can see where this aquarium would peek the interest of many of the kids to want to learn more about saltwater creatures, and there is a library full of books right at their fingertips to check out to do so. Who knows, it may even inspire some of them to want to become future marine biologists, Ichthyologists, fish entrepreneurs or saltwater hobbyists.

Our hearts were deeply touched when we saw the little cardboard donation box the kids had sitting next to the aquarium. The donation box had a note on it that in effect said, that because of state library funding cut backs, donations are needed to help them pay for the food and care of their aquarium. You couldn't help but smile and be happy to add your donation. Jeff said that whenever funds have been limited they have offered and provided supplies and services at no or little charge.

Jeff told us that, "I'm very excited that you enjoyed the Everett Public Library children's aquarium. It is very rewarding to see and know that children and adults enjoy viewing and learning about the aquarium and its inhabitants. We always emphasize the educational aspect of aquariums and their inhabitants and enjoy answering questions from children." In the past he has helped provide tours for elementary school children at an aquarium store and the Seattle Public Aquarium, as well as taken live displays to public schools. Currently his time is well spent with family and friends and serves on the local Children's Commission and Youth Council as well as volunteering at the Boys & Girls Club and Safe Stop programs.

If you live in or plan on visiting the Everett, Washington area, drop into the Everett Public Library at 2702 Hoyt Avenue and have a look for yourself. We enjoyed our visit, and you undoubtedly will too!

Did you know that aside from public display fish aquariums being educational, they are used in waiting rooms, hospitals, nursing homes and other types of patient care centers as an alternative or supplementary treatment to help reduce stress, as well as treat a whole range of medical and emotional ailments in humans because of the many therapeutic health benefits they provide?