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Aquarium Update

June 26, 2026

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[Phase 2 Continues]

 

This week is full of actions! The reefs are being installed and the colors are stunning! The placements of the reefs are meticulously planned and adjusted before finalized. Here are some behind the scenes preview of what it looks like! 

June 21, 2026

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[Phase 2 Continues]

 

The reefs are delivered here at Cupertino Library and the tank is ready for installation. We'll be mapping out where individual reefs for the overall arrangement, just like building a puzzle! 

June 14, 2026

 

​​ [Phase 2 Begins ]​

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Our consultants from RocknReef, Keith and Daniel, traveled to Cupertino from Florida. They will spend the next two weeks in Cupertino focusing on demolition of old reefs and installing new ones.​

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Large chunks of the old reefs were cut down and moved out of the tank into the bin. We want to ensure proper waste disposal and we are contracting Recology to help us on this.

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June 7, 2026

 

Our tank is now covered up for the duration of the aquarium refresh. We will reveal the end product at our ribbon cutting ceremony at the end of the summer.

May 31, 2026

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 [Phase 1- Complete]

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Big week as we start preparing for the renovation. The tank was drained and over 1,000 lbs of sand was removed! Here are our consultant Tyler and board member Orrin behind the scenes.

May 24, 2026

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Here is a sneak peak of the new reef that's being made in Florida. Once completed, it will be transported to Cupertino to be placed in our aquarium.

​​May 1st, 2026

Aquarium Project Overview

 

In 2004 the current library facility opened in Cupertino. A defining feature of the library is the sixteen-foot-long 3,240-gallon saltwater aquarium, donated by Fred and Annie Chan in memory of Fred's father, Mr. Pak Chung Chan.

 

The current library building is 22 years old and the aquarium has degraded due to age and material degradation. In particular, the artificial reef has deteriorated and lost all color. In 2024 The Cupertino Library Foundation started an initiative to update and refresh the aquarium to bring it back to its original condition. Total project cost is around $200,000.

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(Left) Is the original tank when it's first completed. (Right) is the current condition (as of March, 2026)

​Aquarium Restoration Timeline

  • Phase 1 — Drain tank and remove existing fixtures

  • Phase 2 — Install new artificial reef system

  • Phase 3 — Infrastructure upgrades

  • Phase 4 — Fish restocking process

  • Ribbon Cutting Celebration - End of summer 2026

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CLF Aquarium Steering Committee 

  • Orrin Mahoney

  • Jim Davis

  • Gilbert Wong

  • Carrie Young

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Project Team

  • Sublime Aquarium Care — Project Consultant Tyler Albrecht

  • RocknReefs, Inc. — Reef Insert Fabrication

  • Aquatic Central — Infrastructure & Fish Restocking

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Sponsors

  • Cupertino Library Foundation

  • Friends of the Cupertino Library

  • Chan Family Foundation

  • Lowenthal Family

  • Gilbert Wong

  • Orrin & Carolyn Mahoney

  • Carrie Young​​​​

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