Our Little Ocean

Maintaining balance, in life and in the aquatic world, requires work and consistency.

Dan Calvo, owner of Little Oceans Aquarium Specialists, is a marine biologist/aquarist, and he is passionate about what he does. And as a friend to the Academy since long before we opened our doors, he also shares a passion and an understanding for what we do. Dan explains that our saltwater tank is a lot like our community. “Every living thing in the tank has a job to do, and they all work together to create a stable ecosystem” he told us, his eyes brightening. The snails and the tang (a type of fish) eat the algae. The algae soaks up the nutrients and keeps the tank clean. There is a delicate symbiosis between microorganisms, the bacteria and algae that keeps everything properly balanced. Ah! That does sound like us!

Dan has taught us how to take good care of our tank in between his routine visits. Members’ daily work includes feeding the fish, maintaining the protein skimmer which acts a bit like the tide, removing waste from the tank, and using a magnet on the glass to remove algae. It requires vigilance, and it is a labor of love. We are grateful to Dan. There may be other fish in the sea, but he is the only one for us.