Aquarium at library costs the city $29,000 in annual upkeep

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers PRICEY SWIM—Operating costs of the saltwater aquarium at Grant Brimhall/Thousand Oaks Library are under review. Stopping for a look are, from left, Allison Chobanian, 3, Tyler Smith, 10, a fourth-grader at Weathersfield Elementary School, and Agoura Hills resident Vickie Fleming and her 11-month-old son Freddy. About 15 fish swimming peacefully in a saltwater aquarium at the city's main library unwittingly made a big splash during a City Council meeting last month.

City Councilmember Claudia Bill-de la Peña asked how much it costs the city to keep the aquarium clean, and the $29,000ayear answer got Councilmember Andy Fox to suggest, tongue in cheek, that the city freeze the salaries of the fish or offer the fish an early retirement plan.

The aquarium is a part of the children's expansion at the library. It became the responsibility of the city in June 2006, and that July the library began making the monthly maintenance payments to Fish by Design, the company that designed, installed and had been maintaining the aquarium.

In fall 2006, bids were solicited from other aquarium maintenance providers. Six bids were received, and Fish by Design was again selected. A 12month contract for services not to exceed $28,000 began in January 2007.

Then, through a competitive process, a new service provider, Executive Aquarium and Pond Services, was selected in March 2008 to provide the weekly maintenance service. The company is based in the San Fernando Valley.

"They are the same people who provide service for the aquarium at the Four Seasons (Hotel in Westlake Village)," said library services director Steve Brogden.

Among the fish inside the aquarium are the Dogface Puffer, Clown Triggerfish, Yellow Tang and Foxface Rabbitfish.

The Thousand Oaks Library Foundation accepts monetary donations to buy new fish.

"New fish have to be compatible," Brogden said.

To assure they're healthy and get along with the other fish, Executive Aquarium helps the library staff decide which new fish to purchase and quarantines them before they're allowed into the aquarium.

Some library visitors come just to see the fish, Brogden said.

The aquarium, equipment and fish plants were made possible by a $100,000 contribution from Friends of the Thousand Oaks Library.

Recently, Thousand Oaks resident Bob Morrison donated $650 for identification signs on the outside of the aquarium.

Large color picture books on saltwater fish cost about $25 each but require the turning of pages.

"The aquarium provides a visual of the fish living in its environment. We, of course, have lots of books on fish. Together, the books and the aquarium are mutually beneficial," said Nancy Sevier, deputy library services director.

The aquarium is a showpiece for the library, she said.

The weekly cleaning includes several hours of work by a team of three people who monitor the water quality, remove 240 gallons of water and replace it with clean saltwater, brush the reef to remove algae, clean the tank walls, supply fish food and assess the health of the fish. They will add medicine to the tank if needed.

The company also provides 24-hour response to emergencies such as equipment failure, leaks or dead fish.

"The aquarium's worth is immeasurable. It's an educational opportunity for children," Brogden said.