17 February 2009

KML's Wet Lab Pavilion is ready to go!

KML staff have continued to work hard throughout the winter on our seawater system and open-air wet lab. We have 2 banks of acrylic aquariums set up inside the wetlab pavilion and plumbed for seawater.
One bank of twelve 15-gal. aquariums (12"W x 24"L x 12" deep) are individually plumbed. These aquariums have the option of using an in-line filtration system which passes through a series of two 20" filter housings. Filter cartridges are available from 50 microns down to 0.35 microns. The second bank of acrylic aquariums are plumbed as 3 flow-through unfiltered seawater systems. The top tier has eleven 2-gal tanks (8" x 8" x 8") and eight 10-gal. tanks (12"W x 15"L x 12" deep). The bottom tier consists of eight 15-gal. (12"W x 24"L x 12" deep) tanks. We have three 75-gal. seawater tables (23"W x 6'3"L x 12" deep) under the wet lab pavilion. Water levels in the tables can be controlled by stand-pipes. Work benches will be set up along the walls to accommodate a variety of separate aquariums and any other necessary equipment. Plenty of open floor space around the tables will accommodate students. Fresh-water sinks (no chemicals down the drains please!) and wash-down hoses are conveniently located around the wetlab.
And if that's not enough, you just can't beat the view from the wet lab and our new sea wall! Sunsets here are spectacular looking out over Florida Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.