[brams]

I don´t know if there is a better place for this question on the forum. Feel free to move it in that case...

On friday I go to Florida with my girlfriend to spend 17 days in the sun. We don´t have any big plans and will take the trip as it comes.

It would be nice to visit some nice Aquarium stores that have aquascaping and planted aquarium in focus. Or that is seeable in other specs.
I also would like to know if there are any great zoo with stunning aquariums or big junglebiotopes... Maybe there is something else that I don´t want to miss in the miami-orlando area?!?!?

Im greatful for all tips!.

 

[orlando]

Miami, I would try for Florida Aquatic Nursery....http://www.floridaaquatic.com/

 

[brams]

We have a room in St Petersburg but we have a rentcar and have some plans going around the area. Our flight goes to Miami and we decided to se Keywest first. After a day or two we will drive up to St Petersburg and get settled. Than there will problably be a trip to Orlando and tampa is nearby so...
If there is a reason to go a bit longer I can problably talk my girlfriend to go there... afterall shes the one that want´s to see the Keys =)

 

[Esteroali]

Forego the store and go to one of the freshwater springs....less than a couple hours drive from St Pete. See the real thing!

 

[brams]

Forego the store and go to one of the freshwater springs....less than a couple hours drive from St Pete. See the real thing!

That would be great but I was kind of hoping to bring some hardwarestuff with me home... And also do some spionage since I work at a store/retailer here in in sweden.

 

[orlando]

You should see the springs, its truly a planted tank hobbyist dream swim.

 

[brams]

Miami, I would try for Florida Aquatic Nursery....http://www.floridaaquatic.com/

Is it possible to go there, I mean is it open for everyone?

 

[thief]

Hey there Brams,

I'm leaving Saturday for a week in Florida. Also thanks for the link orlando. Tht place is Amazing. :shock:

But what is this springs thing?

 

[keysturtle]

Florida's freshwater springs are fed from underground aquifers. Run at a constant 68 degrees year round, and the water is as clear as if it came out of your tap. Here are a couple of sites to get you started: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/springs/about.htm and http://www.floridasprings.org. A lot of the larger springs are the centerpieces of state parks, so you can navigate to those from the first (DEP) website.

The only aquarium I know of in the Keys is in Key West at NOAA's Nancy Foster Eco-Discovery Center. It's nice, but saltwater. If you make it to Big Pine Key, you should check out the Blue Hole on Key Deer Blvd. It's a freshwater pit where folks unfortunately release unwanted aquarium fish. I definitely don't condone the practice, but you might get a kick out of seeing an arawana swimming with an alligator. Enjoy the vacay!