Performances by trained porpoise are held continuously under the Golden Dome, the world's largest geodesic, free span structure, of its kind. Preceding this, is a breath-taking show of high jumping porpoise in the 1,240,000 gallon main tank in the 31/2 storied building, which is the main entrance to the Aquatarium, on St. Petersburg Beach, Florida.
From Greg May, Florida Backroads:
www.florida-backroads-travel.com/remembering- the-aquatari... to learn about this classic marine attraction from the 60's and 70's. The AQUATARIUM boasted the world's largest circular marine tank - 100 feet in diameter, 25 feet deep containing 1,244,000 gallons of seawater. As you approached the viewing windows encircling the tank, a wave of disappointment came over you for the water clarity was almost non-existant due to poor filtration. The Aquatarium was purchased by Frank Canova in 1969 for $4 million. He sold the property in 1980 for $40 million!
1968
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Vintage Aquatarium St. Petersburg Beach
Posted by
Wade G. Burck
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American oceanaria tried to outdo each other back in the day in their publicity and promotional brochures by claiming to have the biggest tank. From 1954-1964 the largest tank belonged to Marineland of the Pacific with a capacity of 640,000 gallons. In June 1964 the Aquatarium opened on St. Petersburg Beach, Florida with a tank containing 1,244,000 gallons. But truly the largest tank ever was at Enoshima Marineland in Japan. Their tank was nearly the size of a football field! It was built mostly in-ground to keep it from bowing in the center. If anyone has any photos of this tank please share them on this or another website. I believe this tank - which was constructed in the late 50's - has since been demolished and replaced with an amphitheatre-style performance tank.
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