Q: How is the HUB aquarium cared for?

A: Marine Science Society members volunteer twice a day, every day, to maintain the aquarium.

Clif Castleman (senior-recreation and park management) is the education and outreach coordinator of the aquarium, and at the same time, he also deals with the biological and behavior aspects of the aquarium inhabitants.

He said aquarium volunteers are taught to operate the lights and pumps, as well as accurately log information.

Since the aquarium needs attention every day, volunteers who live in the area take over duties during university breaks.

The aquarium is made up of two sections, the part seen by students, and the refugium, the underground section used primarily for filtration.

“The part seen is 538 gallons, while underneath is 80 gallons,” Castleman said. “Live rocks are kept underneath, which house bacteria and assist in cleaning the water.”

He said the tank encounters only natural problems, such as algae growing on the glass.

“As far as tapping on the glass, people are respectful, which is nice,” Castleman said. “It’s such a beautiful place and I feel people want to keep it that way.”

Fish are not the only inhabitants of the tank. Coral, crabs, invertebrates and clams are also a part of the aquarium society.

Casltman said inhabitants are added usually three to four times a year.

“It’s mostly snails, nothing big,” Castleman said.

“We usually get the additions from Wild Side Pet Shop, here in State College.”

Information about everything from inhabitants’ eating habits to the cleaning schedule can be found at www.aquarium.psu.edu.

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