Who we are and what we do

[Tom Barr]

Barr Consulting is a design and installation group of contractors for public and large scale aquatic ecosystems.

All aquarist possess degrees in Marine biology(3 aquarist and a curator at Monterey bay aqurium form a core contractor group), Aquatic biology, engineering large scale projects such as a 1,000,000 gallon tanks at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Jellyfish tanks and breeding programs (MBA is one the first locations do to so and the leader in novel methods of maintaining aquarium systems and livestock at the highest levels). We use many of the same methods and design construction as well as the same engineering contractors to produce truly one of kind public or private aquatic display systems that exceeds the desires of the clients. We do consulting and contract work for public aquariums throughout the world from start to finish or at whatever level a client desires. Practical automation and long term ease of care and stability of the systems are some of the defining princples we focus on for the client.

Planted aquariums are something somewhat new to public aquariums at a high level in Freshwater systems and MBA is getting ready to put together 6 new large planted tanks and we have some clients that desire tanks in the 2000-3000 gallon ranges both freshwater planted designs as well as marine reefs and cold water marine tanks. We can also do smaller systems down to about 75-125 gallon range for eclectic home aquarist.

Tenji Inc. maybe contacted for direct system installation:
Tenji is a team of knowledgeable, creative and experienced biologists who work with you to create unique and compelling aquatic displays that entertain, educate, and enthrall.
They provide a full range of services including review and analysis of living systems; concept development of interpretive live exhibitions; and full delivery of live-exhibit or laboratory systems complete with maintenance protocols.

They offer a knowledgeable resource and a fresh perspective to aquariums, nature centers, marine or freshwater laboratories, and private residences or businesses that are in the process of developing new exhibits or facilities.

It can be overwhelming trying to produce permanent or temporary exhibits and facilities while simultaneously managing day-to-day operations and maintenance. They are uniquely situated to ease those burdens with our extensive experience in planning, designing and producing systems that support interpretive living exhibitions and their associated holding facilities.

Tenji provides attention to detail that is unprecedented in the industry. Whether you’re planning a single exhibit, or a complete aquaculture system, they can help you avoid unfortunate oversights, prevent unnecessary headaches and help you save money spent on re-engineering poorly planned systems.

Tenji is a team of knowledgeable, creative and experienced biologists who work with you to create unique and compelling aquatic displays that entertain, educate, and enthrall.

Headquarters

798 Lighthouse Avenue, [HASHTAG]#230[/HASHTAG]
Monterey, California 93940

Phone: (831) 401-9551
Fax: (831) 401-9551
Website: Tenji, Inc.

E-mail: [email protected]

I am out of the San Francisco, CA Bay Area and am available for on going maintenance work within this region and for set ups and design anywhere world wide as well as seminars, speaking engaugments for clubs, public aquarium staff and hobbyists. Mark from Tenji is available in the Monterey area.

I also do consulting for aquatic plant managment anywhere worldwide and have worked in the past for the state of California doing aquatic weed control and monitoring with the aquatic pest control division. While I do a wide range of aquatic consulting, the underlying focus is long term solutions rather than quick fixes, practical solutions and anything to do with plants and algae managment in aquatic systems. Some newer areas of managment include using wetland gardens to filter pools systems and no/low chlorine usage with ozonation(effectively reducing the need to shock treatments, and 80-100% removal of chlorine use!). These reduce impacts on the enviromment, are easier to use, less toxic to the user, more aesthetic and uses less energy. I sponser a yearly event for anyone with a passion for aquatic plants in either a freshwater or a marine environment in Florida every year. This is highly useful as well as fun! See Plant fest link in this site:


I may be contacted via Personal messaging here on this site as well as directly for maintenace and consulting work.

Regards,
Tom Barr

Environmental consultant

 

[Tom Barr]

Re: How we are and what we do

My resume and background:

Education:

1994-1995 Drinking and waste water Treatment [72 unit in Engineering dept]: Sacramento State University, California
2002 B.S. in Aquatic Biology: University of California, Santa Barbara
2004 Botany, University of Florida, Gainesville
2013 Horticulture and Agronomy, University of California, Davis Ph.D.

I teach Biology at a Community college. I will continue to teach and seek a position at UC in the future as a professor and researcher.

2. I maintain planted aquariums as a business and have done so for about 15 years. I have kept planted aquariums as a focus since 1989. I've had some plants in my tanks since about 1977. I did not start my college education till after I was already keeping fully planted tanks. I have spoken at many societies and meetings over the years on aquatic plants, both marine and freshwater on a wide range of topics. I've designed numerous devices to help aquarist over the years and have done woodworking and acrylic and plastics fabrication as well as a variety of automated systems that can be remotely controlled via the web.

3. I have done substantial lake management the last 7 years and continue to work on many projects for larger Koi ponds, fungi control, lakes, wetland creation and do environmental consulting as business.

4. I presently attend school and UC Davis' Aquatic Weed lab in conjunction with the USDA, and work with Dr Lars Anderson on the Synergistic Effects of Multiple Alternative Treatments on Hydrilla verticillata, Egeria densa and Eurasian milfoil.

5. I write for this web site.

I seek understanding on the basic questions surrounding plant growth and control. My research addresses both herbicidal and novel non herbicidal methods as alternatives and using new approaches to solve aquatic weed control issues. These include both microphytes (algae generally) and macrophytes (Plants and seaweeds) and fresh and saltwater environments.
I seek to find very specific minimal dosing rates for the target weed.
This reduces cost, improves the impact on non target plants and reduces the longer term environmental impacts.

I've discussed many topics over the years on the web and in person with many people interested in plants. I am involved with a number of local societies and am a member of SFBAAPS in San Francisco, CA, the oldest and perhaps largest aquatic plant hobbyist group in the USA.

I have had articles published in Polish, German, Italian, Russian, Chinese, Swedish, Finnish, French, German, Danish, Spanish and English and several other lanuages. I have articles in Weed science journals, TFH, FAMA, TAG, AP and RA, AP and GGA for the last decade.

Tom Barr

 

[Aleksei]

Chemistry PhD student from Iowa State. I make organic molecules for fun and for work=) Interested in water chemistry, chemical biology and molecules.