Welcome to Carlin Aquarium Systems

Welcome to the Center in the Square Reef Aquarium

Carlin Aquariums proudly maintains the 8,000 gallon living reef at Center in the Square, Roanoke, Va

We install and maintain beautiful aquariums for your home, office or waiting room.

There is nothing more soothing and welcoming than a beautiful, thriving aquarium in your home, office or waiting room. So why take a chance that worry might creep into that perfect setting? Let the professionals at Carlin Aquarium Systems maintain your aquarium for you. Leave your worries behind. That’s why you wanted an aquarium in the first place.

It’s hard to improve upon Mother Nature. That’s why we use Mother Nature’s palate in your aquarium. From the vibrant colors and shapes of the coral reefs to the glowing greens and flowing fauna of the Amazon and Africa, nothing compares to the world’s underwater beauty. At Carlin Aquarium Systems we take care of the details, so you can enjoy nature’s best.

About Us

Bangaii Cardinalfish about to be released into a Carlin Aquarium Systems tank.

Carlin Aquariums Systems is a Roanoke-based aquarium design, installation and maintenance company dedicated to bringing the relaxation and enjoyment of the underwater world to its clientele. The project of lifelong aquarium enthusiasts John Carlin and his son, Ben, Carlin Aquarium Systems has clients across the Roanoke region who enjoy beautiful salt and freshwater aquariums in their homes and businesses. We also design and maintain ponds and water gardens.

Carlin Aquarium Systems works side-by-side with Center in the Square and the designer of the aquarium systems, Reef Aquaria Design, to provide educational and engaging programming for visitors of all ages.

Ben Carlin

Ben assisted with the decorative cladding of the Center in the Square Reef aquarium.

John and Ben Carlin attending the opening of the Lexington Jellyfish Aquarium

Ben assisted with the plumbing of this massive aquarium.

Ben Carlin is an aquarium professional with years of hobby, retail and maintenance experience. Ben started his first aquarium when he was 12 years old. Three years later he was working in the aquarium section of a local pet store, helping customers through questions about fish care and health. While still a senior in high school, Ben began working at Ultimate Aquariums, Roanoke’s premier aquarium retail and maintenance business. He gradually assumed more responsibility in the family-owned business as he worked his way through Radford University where he majored in Management and Marketing. During that time he managed store operations and maintained aquariums for homes and businesses in the Roanoke and New River Valleys and Smith Mountain Lake. Ben has interned with Reef Aquaria Design of Florida, which builds and maintains aquariums of 400-2000 gallons for a lengthy client list. He also assisted in the construction and plumbing of the world’s largest privately owned jellyfish aquarium in Lexington, Kentucky. He will be the chief caretaker and overseer of the CAS staff maintaining aquariums at Center in the Square in Roanoke, and the crews maintaining client tanks in local homes and businesses.

John Carlin

John’s lifelong fascination with the aquarium hobby has grown into a business. He and his son Ben recently founded Carlin Aquarium Systems (CAS), which specializes in the installation and maintenance of large aquariums in area homes and businesses. CAS grew from the maintenance side of a local aquarium shop in the Roanoke Valley. John and Ben owned and operated the shop from 2008-2012. They sold the store in early 2012 in order to focus on the Center project and serving the needs of other aquarium clients. John is best known for his career in broadcasting. He returned to WSLS -10 in July of 2013 after a five year career in Public relations. Prior to his departure in 2008, he served as lead anchor and Managing Editor for WSLS for 21 years. During that time he won three Emmy awards for journalism, and played a key role in the station’s Peabody Award winning coverage of the shootings at Virginia Tech. During his time in public relations, John proudly represented a number of clients in the aquatic world including Reef Aquaria Design and Boyd Enterprises. John has done work with GloFish, Piscene Energetics (PE Mysis), and the Coral Restoration Foundation. He is also the author of the Through the Glass blog,And the creator of Fincasters, the video arm of Carlin Aquarium Systems. which appears on this website. A fish geek at heart, John maintains four large aquariums at home, including planted and reef tanks. He is also active in the local community. John is Chairman of the Corporate board of YMCA of Roanoke Valley and immediate past president of Saint Francis Service Dogs. He is also a board member and co-founder of the Blue Ridge Marathon – America’s Toughest Road Marathon. In his spare time John enjoys running, cycling, fishing, writing and photography.

Stephen Sinnes

Stephen Sinnes is lead aquarist at Carlin Aquarium Systems

Stephen Sinnes is the lead aquarist at Carlin Aquarium Systems. An avid reef keeper, Stephen is a graduate of Radford University with a degree in Geology. Stephen can be found daily either maintaining the pristine conditions for Center in the Square’s 8,000 Gallon living reef, sea horse display, jellyfish aquariums or the Roanoke River Biotope exhibits. Stephen also maintains small aquariums in our clients’ homes and businesses.

Carlin Aquarium Systems

Welcome to Carlin Aquarium Systems

It’s Koi and Pond Season

Center in the Square Truly Magnificent

Center in the Square Re-Opens — Public Approves.

Center in the Square Gala, One Heck of a (fish) Party.

Turtles, Seahorses and Jellyfish (and a Piano) in the House.

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