Aquarium Center to re-open at new location after Mercury exposure

CLEMENTON, N.J. (WPVI) -- What's 5,000 square feet, has about 400 brand-new fish tanks and almost every colorful fish imaginable? It's the brand-new Aquarium Center at Cherrywood Plaza in Clementon, New Jersey.

The store has moved to a new location and has a grand opening this weekend after recovering from a devastating closure in May when the toxic substance Mercury was found in a tank and on the floor, contaminating the original site.

"I can't wrap my head around it. Why somebody would do that, how they got it and why they would put it in a retail location?" said Dominick Siconolfi, owner.

"Someone came in and put it there or did it when nobody was looking or when the staff was busy," said Julie Chambers, store clerk.

Police will only say the investigation is ongoing, but the sudden shutdown of the store killed 10,000 fish and forced the staff to be tested for Mercury exposure.

"We collected urine samples, sent them back out to the CDC and they sent the results to us," said Claudia Funaro, R.N., Camden County Health Department.

All were in the normal range, although two workers had slightly elevated Mercury levels.

Jordan McSorley was told to take Creatine.

"By taking the Creatine supplement, the Mercury binds to the Creatine and then you expel it from your body," said McSorley, store clerk.

The people here may never find out how the Mercury was brought in the old store or why, but they are moving ahead in a new location, hoping to put the entire ordeal behind them.

"It's really exciting that we are having our grand opening. There's going to be a lot of vendors and games for kids and food," said Kirsten Ware, store clerk.

"Oh I think it's great. I love Dom and this business and I love the girls that work here and the guys that work here," said Linda Riccelli, customer.

"I sincerely hope whoever did do it, I hope they get caught and have some sort of karma. It's a shame, not only to do harm to the fish, but put our lives in danger, too," said Ruben Zambrana, store clerk.