New greenhouse propagation system/small LFS

[chrisblore]

I live in the UK and am looking to start a reasonably large scale (maybe 4000 gallons +?) propagation system. Having read your book and been inspired by numerous other greenhouse projects, I am looking into the benefits of using a greenhouse, thereby allowing me to use natural sunlight for the propagation of the corals. Would this be possible in the UK or would the amount of sunlight be insufficient for their healthy growth and good colouration?
In addition, I was thinking about using a raceway system for the display of the coral frags as this appears to allow for the maximum usage of the space available and would also allow me to present these corals for sale in a clear and easy to understand manner.
This could then be connected to my live rock vats and I intend to house a large amount of live rock at any one time as most rock in my area is either very expensive or poor quality and I believe that the natural light that it will receive in the greenhouse should allow me to offer high quality rock at lower prices than my competitors due to my reduced upkeep costs.
I realise that I will not make any profits straight away and feel that I am commited enough to make it work through also providing a range of the most popular marine aquarium products and supplements and also producing a custom built range of skimmers, calcium reactors and aquaria.
Please give me your thoughts on this
Thanks in advance
Chris

 

[Anthony Calfo]

Cheers, Chris

Excellent to hear from you my friend. Very exciting to hear of your continued endeavors too.

No worries at all regarding the available natural sunlight in the UK. It is truly a fact at present that a greater number of successful coral farms are located at northern latitudes. Even with your rainy climate, still no worries. There is plenty of usable light for how shallow culturing vessels are/will be. I have even chatted with a fellow setting up a coral farm in Ireland!

My coral farm claimed Pittsburgh Pennsylvania as home, which is one of the rainiest cities in the US (the region is a temperate rainforest). And the pioneer coral farmer Dick Perrin is located in Romulus Michigan (even further north). Do peek at these locales on a globe with consideration for your latitude.

You might be surprised that you even need to use a shadecloth over some or all of your greenhouse in the summer with moderate to lower light specimens like some corallimorphs, zoanthids and LPS corals. Bear in mind that they are being cultured in shallow water (say, a meter or less) whereas they normally reside 20 or more meters below the surface naturally. The difference in water depth largely negates the lack of near-equatorial intensity.

Before you make the investment, buy a PAR meter and take some sample readings in an aquarium outside at depth. Get some samples of the glazing you are considering for your greenhouse and take light readings through/under them just the same. Also know that the lux readings so often cited on natural reefs are skewed when taken at high noon (brief intense exposures, but less so on corals as the sun travels in an arc across the sky).

Simply compare the readings you get outside to your present aquariums and those of fellow aquarists with successful coral growth. Rest assured, even if you must supplement (for strict SPS for example), any natural sunlight gleaned will be invaluable.

The natural sunlight on the live rock as you suspect will be incredible. Especially if you keep these systems without harsh grazers (fishless for certain). Extraordinary plant and algae growth will be expressed. Just be sure to maintain aggressive skimming on these systems in the sun when high nutrients from the curing rock are likely.

Please keep us updates on your progress. Perhaps I might even impose on you for a visit next spring I'll be coming through England (will stay for a few days) on my way to Interzoo.

Kind regards,

Anthony

 

[chrisblore]

Thanks for your response
I will buy the light meter ASAP!
Do you believe that the raceway system would be suitable for the culture and display of the corals or would a more traditional approach be recommended?
Thanks once again
Chris