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Written By David Terceria, BFAS
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Bermuda Fry-angle Aquarium Society members had the opportunity
to tour the atrium of one of Bermuda’s finest multimillion dollar homes.
Due to the owner’s generous hospitality, the members were able to walk
through the simulated rainforest complete with several thousand gallons of freshwater
aquariums and ponds. Upon entering through the service tunnel the members came
face to face with a 2-inch thick acrylic panel which held back approximately
two thousand five hundred gallons of water. This tank was home to a large assortment
of African and South American cichlids. The president of the club, Craig Morfitt,
had brought with him a large Bocourti cichlid which had won Best in Show at
the previous year’s local fish show. The fish had sustained slight damage
to one of his fins so he was no longer of show quality, and was retired to spend
the rest of his days in this spacious accommodation.
Following the path to the right, members encountered a smaller corner tank of
approximately one thousand gallons which houses several 14-inch Oscars living
peacefully with approximately 20 to 30, 4-5 inch Angelfish. Across from the
Oscar tank was a 600-gallon cylindrical tank holding 30 young Crytocara moori.
Continuing along the path, we arrived at a large Koi pond which was also home
to several freshwater rays, 20 or more large iridescent sharks and “Spike”
a 4 foot South American red tailed catfish. Sharing this water was also a 12
foot bronze alligator statue. Behind the Koi pond was a stone wall that when
activated became a waterfall flowing from the first large tank that we saw.
The next pond we encountered had its own waterfall and housed several small
blue channel catfish which were being raised to be served at a future dinner
party. Continuing along the path there were three smaller tanks built into the
wall. The first one contained several small Lake Tanganyika cichlids. The second
tank had small goldfish feeders which supplied the third tank of two gold piranhas.
We had now arrived back to the original entrance but the tour was only half
over. The best was yet to come.
The group continued down to the basement which housed the filtration systems
and quarantine facilities for the atrium. The tanks had been divided between
three major filtration units consisting of large bio towers, paper cartridge
filters, Ultra-Violet (UV) sterilizers and large pool sand filters filled with
carbon for chemical filtration. All pumps, filters and UV sterilization equipment
had been duplicated so that in case of an emergency, with the turn of a few
valves and a switch, a complete new system can be brought online. To keep the
water warm during the winter, two large water heaters with the aid of heat exchanger
accomplish the job. There was a third large water heater ready to come online
if that system failed.
The quarantine facility consisted of a 180-gallon tank containing three alligator
gars, a 120-gallon tank containing a pair of Oscars in the hope of a successful
spawning, one 65-gallon tank containing a true Tigrinus Shovelnose approximately
one foot long, the second 65-gallon tank held 50 small blue channel catfish
for restocking, and a 40-gallon tank lay waiting for the next available prospect.
The room also contained two 50-gallon tanks for the thousand feeders consumed
each week.
The house is also equipped with a 200 kw generator to keep things running smoothly
during power outages. Most agreed that they would have a bit of difficulty affording
the electric bill to run such a large system, but I am sure they were happy
to see what their dreams could become in reality.
I would like to thank Mr. Rocco Schiralli QC on behalf of the fish club for
allowing us to tour his beautiful home. For those members who were unable to
attend, they may contact me for a private tour as I am curator of the Aquarium
at “Deepwater” and always appreciate help cleaning filters and doing
water changes.
PHOTOS BY DEVIN LIGHTBOURNE
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