A new 2,000 gallon shark study tank has been installed at the Team ECCO Aquarium. Water will be added to the tank this week and the tank will need 10-14 days of ‘curing’ before sharks can be acclimated into the new space.
This is a very delicate process. Team ECCO has hand raised all three of their sharks, and two of them have been imprinted on them since hatching, so they must be cautious of shock and stress.
Once the new shark study tank is in, Team ECCO will also be moving roughly two dozen other fish and animals from holding tanks and into new exhibits. Their previous homes had to be removed to allow for the tank to be rolled directly through the front doors and over the main floor then into place. This is the rebuild of five reptile habitats, enlarging the tortoise exhibit, reset of the touch tank, new puffer fish habitat, new extended filtration for the puffer and the 400 gallon eel tanks, new lighting, and a complete overhaul of the classroom.
Team ECCO is the only ocean education lab and hands-in marine study center in Western North Carolina, Upstate South Carolina and Eastern Tennessee. Programs include, but are not limited to, fish ID, marine adaptations, reef/mangrove/grass bed ecology, water quality, turtle rescue, local reptile education and marine bio diversity.
Check Team ECCO’s website and Facebook page for updated information.