Check out this tank build in a church

[KurtL]

LFS marine guy you mentioned the church on long island with the tank. Did you work for Darian at some point?

 

[ZANYMASTER]

It's beautiful but hate the fake coral look.Seems all these companies are doing that way.

 

[lfsmarineguy]

As expensive as the fake coral inserts are it would be an incredible amount more to create an actual reef that size. Besides that with a reef that size there is far more maintenance, not to mention utilities cost, just to keep it running and presentable. When you work at this scale the fake inserts are usually the only viable option. I'm with you though, I'd rather see a huge reef than some of those fugly inserts.

 

[LatinP]

That tank is sick, or least it makes me sick (no offense). I don't want to offend anyone but if they really have the money to build that (inside a church) I could think of at least 100 better uses for that money. Don't get me wrong I love reefs and I have a few tanks, but that church money could have gone to so much better use for the community.

 

[nate82]

That tank is sick, or least it makes me sick (no offense). I don't want to offend anyone but if they really have the money to build that (inside a church) I could think of at least 100 better uses for that money. Don't get me wrong I love reefs and I have a few tanks, but that church money could have gone to so much better use for the community.

Hahaha because church money is always so beneficial to the community...

 

[reefprobe]

Its amazing how much a beatiful aquarium display like this bothers people and causes so much envy/jealously beacause its in a church? You assume that it was paid for by the congregation? Maybe (more than likely) it was donated by a member of the church that wants to spread the gospel message when Jesus said "follow me, I will make you fishers of men" He was speaking to his disciples to give up their fishing jobs to go with him and spread the word of GOD and find more disciples to be saved!! That is what is written on the front of the Aquarium.
Also its free!!!!!! You do not have to pay for it like you do for Atlantis/Coney Island Ect.
Not a bad deal!!!! I think this is one of the best aquariums in the world!!

 

[albano]

Also its free!!!!!! You do not have to pay for it like you do for Atlantis/Coney Island Ect.
...I think this is one of the best aquariums in the world!!

WHY, because it's FREE?

IMO, it's not even in the running...the 'general public may consider it a very nice FISH tank ...however, most people in the 'reefing' community would not even put a 'plastic' reef in the same category, as a 'living' reef.

For FREE, it would be nice to see the pretty fish, but I'm more than happy to pay to see Atlantis' reef tank (again)!
As a matter of fact, I'd rather drive a hour to see Manhattan Aq. or House of Fins, than 20 minutes to see that tank.

FWIW...the near identical tank was at Mohegan Sun Casino for many years.

 

[Zuska]

wow amazing set up!

 

[Chris Jury]

Its amazing how much a beatiful aquarium display like this bothers people and causes so much envy/jealously beacause its in a church? You assume that it was paid for by the congregation? Maybe (more than likely) it was donated by a member of the church that wants to spread the gospel message when Jesus said "follow me, I will make you fishers of men" He was speaking to his disciples to give up their fishing jobs to go with him and spread the word of GOD and find more disciples to be saved!! That is what is written on the front of the Aquarium.
Also its free!!!!!! You do not have to pay for it like you do for Atlantis/Coney Island Ect.
Not a bad deal!!!! I think this is one of the best aquariums in the world!!

Jesus is also purported to have said that it would be 'easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle (i.e., absurd to the extreme) than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven'. Jesus is purportedly instructed his followers to get rid of all their belongings and live a life of (relative) poverty. Without question, Jesus' position as reported in the Christian scriptures is an uncompromising hard line against material wealth and advocacy on behalf of the poor.

I don't know the exact cost of this aquarium, but it is in the tens of thousands at least and is a luxury by any imaginable measure. If the Christian gospels are even remotely accurate representations of Jesus' views, it's pretty obvious that he would look on this endeavor none too favorably.

I for one am neither envious nor jealous of that aquarium. Rather, I am appalled by the hypocracy of flaunting wealth in the name of someone whose teaching on the subject was to give that wealth up. I'm appalled by the hypocracy of spending large amounts of money on a luxury instead of channeling those funds toward helping the poor in the name of someone who taught precisely the opposite.

cj

 

[150g]

Where are all the bad puns? That church must be drowning in money! Or, the pastor must fish for donations to pay for this... Or, I wonder if their loan is underwater... (and yep, the holy water one was punny!).

 

[lfsmarineguy]

Chris, knowing ATM and what something like this would cost I'd say, and this is conservative, the price tag on this is a few hundred thousand. Which in my eyes is ridiculous for a church of all places.

 

[reefprobe]

Jesus is also purported to have said that it would be 'easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle (i.e., absurd to the extreme) than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven'. Jesus is purportedly instructed his followers to get rid of all their belongings and live a life of (relative) poverty. Without question, Jesus' position as reported in the Christian scriptures is an uncompromising hard line against material wealth and advocacy on behalf of the poor.

I don't know the exact cost of this aquarium, but it is in the tens of thousands at least and is a luxury by any imaginable measure. If the Christian gospels are even remotely accurate representations of Jesus' views, it's pretty obvious that he would look on this endeavor none too favorably.

I for one am neither envious nor jealous of that aquarium. Rather, I am appalled by the hypocracy of flaunting wealth in the name of someone whose teaching on the subject was to give that wealth up. I'm appalled by the hypocracy of spending large amounts of money on a luxury instead of channeling those funds toward helping the poor in the name of someone who taught precisely the opposite.

cj

OK Chris What Jesus is teaching about the richman passing through the eye of the needle is that a richman lives for the world first and puts God last. He does not put Christ first in his life.....Jesus said "the only way to heaven is through me" He told his disciples to drop everything and follow him. He is not telling everyone in the world to give up all your wealth and possessions and live on the street? If that was true than all Christians would be homeless and all the Churches would be closed!! He wants us to humble ourselves and serve others not live for the world and put money and idols before him. Therefore it would be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle(BTW a real place) than a rich self centered man to get into heaven. Its all in the New Testament

And once again you do not know how the aquarium was paid for? You assume alot about this tank. I seriously doubt the offering went into a special collection for the tank?I would be willing to bet it was a private donation from a avid hobbiest who was trying to spread Gods Word and also get some people interested in Fish?
If you really want to know how everything was paid for call Pastor Rickii I am sure he would love to hear from you.....Good Luck!!

 

[howze01]

I'm neither envious or jealous of the tank. I will admit that I assumed that SOMEONE paid for the tank. In my eyes, you could have made the "fishers of men" point with a 120g just as effectively. Having said that, would I go to this church just to see the tank if I was nearby? You bet I would!

The thing that bothered me is that there are so many better things a church could do with not just the setup costs but also the maintenance that is involved with it. How many cans of soup or loaves of bread could that have bought? If Jesus were here, which would he prefer? Although if Jesus had a say he would probably tell us to fix ourselves instead of worrying about this tank. I guess someone could look at our tanks and say the same thing about them. How many cans of soup could we buy with what we have paid for our setups?

 

[beerfish]

I'm neither envious or jealous of the tank. I will admit that I assumed that SOMEONE paid for the tank. In my eyes, you could have made the "fishers of men" point with a 120g just as effectively. Having said that, would I go to this church just to see the tank if I was nearby? You bet I would!

The thing that bothered me is that there are so many better things a church could do with not just the setup costs but also the maintenance that is involved with it. How many cans of soup or loaves of bread could that have bought? If Jesus were here, which would he prefer? Although if Jesus had a say he would probably tell us to fix ourselves instead of worrying about this tank. I guess someone could look at our tanks and say the same thing about them. How many cans of soup could we buy with what we have paid for our setups?

A tank like this brings more people to the church.

More people in the church brings more money into the church.

Cans of soup don't make money for the church. If one couple a month decides to get married at this church so that they can have the tank as a backdrop, maintenance is paid for with room to spare.

Don't kid yourself, running a church is no different than running a business. There are politics, corruption, and a need to make money.

They need a fish tank just as much as they need stained glass windows, golden chalices, and ornate decor.

That said... Very cool construction pics!

 

[howze01]

A tank like this brings more people to the church.

More people in the church brings more money into the church.

Cans of soup don't make money for the church. If one couple a month decides to get married at this church so that they can have the tank as a backdrop, maintenance is paid for with room to spare.

Don't kid yourself, running a church is no different than running a business. There are politics, corruption, and a need to make money.

They need a fish tank just as much as they need stained glass windows, golden chalices, and ornate decor.

That said... Very cool construction pics!

Can't argue that at all. You would like to think that church's are different but they aren't. Just as much (if not more) politics, corruption and greed as any other segment of the population.

 

[createdlight]

There are many church members holding church in the woods, meeting in secret for fear of their lives. And believe me, the sky my ceiling and horizon my walls and the ground my floor, all made by God. Money can't buy!

 

[LatinP]

A tank like this brings more people to the church.

More people in the church brings more money into the church.

Cans of soup don't make money for the church. If one couple a month decides to get married at this church so that they can have the tank as a backdrop, maintenance is paid for with room to spare.

Don't kid yourself, running a church is no different than running a business. There are politics, corruption, and a need to make money.

They need a fish tank just as much as they need stained glass windows, golden chalices, and ornate decor.

That said... Very cool construction pics!

If people are coming to church to see a fish tank then they're there for all the WRONG reasons. This isn't the same as advertising a shopping mall where you'd install a rollar coaster to get more crowds like Mall of America, if people choose to go to church they should be there for the right reasons not to look at a fish tank.


To the other guy who said something about church donations never going to the public, excuse my lazyness but it's not even worth looking up your username. I'm not sure what church you go to but mine has done alot for the community, alot of needy families have been given when needed. Anything from diapers to food, clothing and anything and everything in between. Heck last year they helped two families keep their house which they would have lost otherwise thanks to bank loans.

Believe it or not not everything is bad in this world. You just have to know where to look.

 

[lfsmarineguy]

I think the issue here is whether or not the church needed to spend that kind of money on a tank or if it could have been put to better use. No matter how they got it the money did come from their congregation and the odds are against the entire amount coming from just one person since if I had to put a price tag on this job (knowing ATM is involved) it probably came in somewhere in the low 7 figures.

Also, for the record if you look through the pics you will see the name "Reynolds Polymer" on the protective cover on the acrylic panels. Reynolds is the largest and best producer of acrylic aquarium panels in the world. If you click the link some of you may recognize the very first tank pic here. I also know for a fact that Reynold's preferred installer is not ATM, not even on jobs here in the US. So ATM's claims of "We build the best tanks in the world" is a blatant fabrication.

 

[Og Drogon]

One thing you guys are over looking is the fact that at least this church spent it's money on making a aquarium!!!!!
And not on bomb making materials, to blow buildings and people up!!!!!!

So yes I think they spent there money wisely ;-)
You guys take everything to serious.
Lord have mercy ( in my Jamaican voice)


I'm Nemo's mother!

 

[beerfish]

If people are coming to church to see a fish tank then they're there for all the WRONG reasons. This isn't the same as advertising a shopping mall where you'd install a rollar coaster to get more crowds like Mall of America, if people choose to go to church they should be there for the right reasons not to look at a fish tank.

Yep, and the local church should be just as full on a random Sunday as it is on Easter and Christmas, but the fact is it's not. It's exactly the same as a roller coaster in a mall. Right and wrong don't matter, the bottom line does.

(There's also nothing wrong with going to one church over another because it's got a fish tank. Even if you go for the "right" reasons, if two churches are in driving range and one has a fish tank, which one would you go to?)