GF Piping Systems Helps Mandalay Bay Hotel Keep Environment Stable for Aquatic Life

By Consulting Specifying Engineer Staff April 27, 2006

The Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel’s Shark Reef attraction, Las Vegas’ only American Zoo and Aquarium Assn. accredited Animal Care Facility, contains more than 1,200 aquatic species including sharks, crocodiles, piranhas, rays, sea turtles, jellyfish and other freshwater and saltwater fish.

Maintaining the water environment for these very special species is a great challenge for the life support crew.

More than 1.6 million gallons of water is recycled hourly through the vast array of pipes and water treatment equipment.gallons of freshwater is delivered to the exhibit daily. The recycled and incoming water can be treated consistently, but only with the use of reliable analytical equipment. Salinity, pH, ORP, flow, and temperature are the measured parameters and controlling them ensures water quality. The pH ofthe incoming city water to the exhibit is never consistent due to the various drought conditions and elements that the water will carry. The recycled water also contains microorganisms and fish waste and must be treated before it is sent back into the exhibits.

Throughout the exhibits’ensor. This was because there was not a lot of space to put longer run pipes. The life support operators have learned how to use their flow reading by looking at the consistent and repeatable flow reading.

Salinity levels of the salt water are monitored using a conductivity sensor with a salinity meter.

The freshwater exhibits must maintain a pH level of around 7, while the saltwater exhibits are at approximately 8.2 pH. The pH of the water is measured using Signet pH sensors and instruments.DBLQ%%Low or declining pH and alkalinity levels can result in HCO 3

When the water is recycled from the freshwater and saltwater exhibits, ozone is injected for disinfection purposes.in the line “is an extreme irritant to the sensitive gills of the fish,” says Jewell. A maximum ORP level of 350 millivolts is required.

Temperature of the water is maintained at approximate shoreline temperatures of 72°altwater crocodile, and other aquatic life in the exhibits’ fresh and salt water systems.  Any upsets in the system can potentially cost the attraction millions of dollars to recover.