Nugget’s aquarium gets makeover
JODY COVINGTON
SPECIAL TO SPARKS TODAYAquarium renovations inspired by a faraway vacation spot were not lost on at least one John Ascuaga’s Nugget visitor.
“It reminds me of the Caribbean,” said Redding, Calif., resident Ben Beall. “(The coral reef) looks real.”
People flowing through the Nugget are taking note of the new colorful coral reef and rock recently constructed in the 5,000-gallon aquarium. It won’t be long before the focal point of the Trader Dick’s bar and restaurant is swimming with exotic fish once again.”
It adds atmosphere,” said Bob Riede, of Senora, Calif., of the tank that has greeted visitors for nearly 20 years. Genesis Systems, Inc., of Graeagle, Calif., was tapped to do the $200,000 overhaul of what is the area’s biggest saltwater aquarium. The tank is 5 feet longer than an average Greyhound bus and has three columns of a major interstate running through it. The Nugget is at 1100 Nugget Ave. and entwines I-80.
The sleeve-like coral reefs masking those roadway columns were made using underwater photos to simulate an ocean pier in the Caribbean where lush reefs were established. This method, rather than using the traditional method of harvesting and using dead coral, is environmentally friendly and emulates the color and detail of the real coral, said Jon Valdez, project manager for Genesis Systems.
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© 2006