The Georgia Aquarium holds 10 million gallons of water

The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta contains 10 million gallons of saltwater and freshwater combined. That figure has remained the same since the aquarium opened in 2005. The water fills 6.3 million cubic feet of space across all the tanks, habitats, and behind-the-scenes systems that visitors never see.

To put 10 million gallons in perspective: a typical backyard swimming pool holds 20,000 gallons. The Georgia Aquarium's water volume is equivalent to 500 Olympic-sized swimming pools. The sheer amount of water required daily maintenance, filtration, and temperature control systems that run continuously.

Key Takeaways

  • The Georgia Aquarium contains exactly 10 million gallons of water across all its exhibits and systems.
  • Most of the water is saltwater, used for the whale shark tank and ocean-dwelling species exhibits.
  • The aquarium uses both municipal water and recycled water to maintain these tanks.
  • Water temperature, salinity, and chemical balance are monitored constantly by staff and automated systems.

How the water is divided among exhibits

The 10 million gallons are not split evenly across the aquarium's tanks. The Beluga whale and whale shark habitat — the aquarium's largest tank — holds the majority of the water. This single tank contains 6.3 million gallons on its own, which is why it dominates the center of the building and is visible from multiple levels.

The remaining 3.7 million gallons are distributed across smaller exhibits: the tropical diver tank, the cold-water penguin habitat, the seahorse and jellyfish tanks, and dozens of smaller displays. Behind-the-scenes filtration systems, holding tanks, and quarantine areas for new animals also account for a significant portion of the total volume.

Saltwater versus freshwater in the tanks

The Georgia Aquarium uses both saltwater and freshwater, depending on the species. The largest exhibits — including the whale shark tank and the beluga whale habitat — are filled with saltwater that mimics ocean conditions. This water is either brought in from the ocean or created by mixing purified water with sea salt to the correct salinity level.

Smaller exhibits house freshwater species like river fish and some tropical species. The aquarium maintains separate filtration and treatment systems for each water type because the chemical balance, pH, and mineral content differ significantly. Mixing the two would harm the animals in both systems.

How the aquarium maintains water quality

Maintaining 10 million gallons of water requires constant monitoring and treatment. The aquarium uses mechanical filtration to remove particles, biological filtration to break down waste from the animals, and chemical treatment to adjust pH and remove harmful compounds. Water is tested multiple times daily for temperature, salinity, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels.

Staff members perform partial water changes regularly — removing a percentage of old water and replacing it with new, treated water. This prevents the buildup of waste products that filtration alone cannot remove. The aquarium also uses ultraviolet light and ozone treatment in some systems to kill bacteria and parasites without harming the animals.

Where the water comes from and where it goes

The Georgia Aquarium sources water from the city of Atlanta's municipal water supply, which is then treated and conditioned for the tanks. Some water is recycled within the facility — water from one exhibit may be filtered and used in another — but the aquarium cannot recycle all of it because different species require different water conditions.

When water is removed from the tanks during maintenance, it does not go to waste. The aquarium treats wastewater before it returns to Atlanta's sewer system. This treatment removes excess nutrients and organisms that could harm the city's water treatment plants or local waterways.

The cost and effort of managing this much water

Operating 10 million gallons of aquarium systems is one of the largest expenses the facility faces. Beyond the initial cost of filling the tanks, the aquarium must pay for water treatment chemicals, electricity to run pumps and filtration systems 24 hours a day, and staff time for daily monitoring and maintenance. The heating and cooling systems alone consume significant energy to keep water at the correct temperature for each species.

The aquarium also budgets for unexpected water loss due to evaporation, splashing, and cleaning. In warm months, evaporation can account for thousands of gallons per week. Staff members top off tanks regularly to maintain the correct water level and salinity balance.

How this compares to other major aquariums

The Georgia Aquarium's 10 million gallons made it the largest aquarium in the world when it opened in 2005. That record has since changed. The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Japan now holds the title with 7.5 million gallons in its main tank alone, though some sources cite different total volumes depending on how behind-the-scenes systems are counted.

Most major public aquariums in the United States hold between 2 and 6 million gallons. The Georgia Aquarium's size is unusual — most facilities cannot justify the cost of maintaining that much water. The scale is one reason the Georgia Aquarium is a major tourist destination and requires a large operating budget to function.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Georgia Aquarium change all 10 million gallons at once?

No. The aquarium performs partial water changes, removing and replacing a small percentage of water at a time. A complete drain and refill would take weeks and would stress or kill the animals. Partial changes allow the biological filtration systems to stay active and the animals to remain in stable conditions.

How long would it take to fill the Georgia Aquarium from scratch?

Filling 10 million gallons depends on the water pressure and pipe size available. Using a standard fire hydrant or municipal water main, it could take several days to a week of continuous filling. The aquarium was filled over a period of weeks during construction in 2005 to allow time for water treatment and system testing before animals were introduced.

What happens if there is a leak in one of the tanks?

Large tanks have backup systems and redundant pumps so that water circulation continues even if one component fails. If a leak is detected, staff can isolate that section and transfer animals to holding tanks while repairs are made. The aquarium's design includes multiple compartments so that a single leak does not drain the entire facility.

Can visitors drink the aquarium water?

No. The water in the exhibits is treated for the animals' needs, not for human consumption. It contains salt, chemicals, and biological matter that would make it unsafe to drink. The aquarium has separate drinking water systems for visitors and staff.