How Do Giant Aquariums Get Cleaned?

At Georgia Aquarium, it takes a team of staff and volunteer divers to keep all the exhibits sparkling. Guests often see them cleaning the glass in the Tropical Diver coral reef exhibit.

Even the smallest exhibits at the Aquarium need to be cleaned. Using specialized underwater vacuums and tools, divers can reach small spaces.

The smaller exhibits are usually cleaned early in the mornings before guests arrive.

Imagine trying to clean a window while fighting the physical law of buoyancy (your body floating to the surface). Aquarium divers use suction tools to maneuver more easily inside the exhibits.

Some of Georgia Aquarium’s larger exhibits require more powerful cleaning tools.

Underwater electric brushes, like the one pictured, help divers clean the tough messes and make the job quicker.

Hand tools can be just as powerful when spot cleaning the rocks in Ocean Voyager.

While cleaning, the divers at Georgia Aquarium have to work around the animals, who are often curious to see what they are up to.

Cleaning while surrounded by some of the ocean’s largest species is one cool dirty job!