New workshop build out plans

[MrMikeB]

Many of you have heard a bit of the work I am doing to my detached workshop in converting it over to an aquaculture research facility (in the simplest definition of the term). Well after lots of planning, things are starting to fall into place.

There is a ton more work to do, but licenses, accounts, non profit status, most of the design work, cost estimates, corporation charter, etc. is now in place (or soon will be - IRS is very slooooww) and I am actively working (well when I am not 'really' working) on putting pen to paper on the first couple of projects that I would like to start with (mostly boring stuff: like growing food, effects on certain environmental variables, etc.).

Anyhow, I thought I would share some of the actual physical design elements of the facilities. Thank you all who have contributed with your ideas and support. It means a lot to me. BTW, the filtration design is not finalized yet... This is the tough one to decide on.

A special thank you to Ed Simmons and his mastery of AutoCAD for putting to paper what was in my head. Thank you Brian at CRS, our late night e-mails helped a lot!


First up: The facility layout - elevation diagrams pending:

Next: The propagation / grow out systems - 5'x10'x1' 'CalFlo' style overflows, closed loop on a switched valve. There are 4 of these currently being built. Note: There are actually 2 sets of lights (4x 400MH Lumenarc) on nifty light rails planned per tank.

The QT system - still plumbing all of this, but should/needs to be online by the end of the month - here is a good representation:

More engineering designs are available if you are into that geeky sort of stuff. If the project schedule stays true, I should be doing my 'dry runs' (heh) by the end of the year. BTW - If you are planning on heading to the garage sale later this month, I will be bringing a truckload of stuff that has to go to make room for this reefing madness. You would do well to stop by.

 

[miracles38]

Mike - that is so awesome! I can't wait to see what you can do. If you ever need any help, I would love to help out!

 

[mpoletti]

All I can say is Wow. Things look really nice Mike. You must have a lot of extra time onyour hands because that much water is a full time job.

 

[MrMikeB]

Thanks Kim... be careful what you offer. I might just take you up on it.

Hey, no comment of my guy on the toilet yet?!

 

[MrMikeB]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10524316#post10524316 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Marko9
All I can say is Wow. Things look really nice Mike. You must have a lot of extra time onyour hands because that much water is a full time job.

It is indeed a ton of work. I am building a lot of automation into the design piece that is not easily represented in the diagrams. A bit more costly up front, but necessary long term I think. I also have slav... *ahem* 'volunteer' labor. Amazing what folks will do for coral.

 

[rafael13]

question:
are you running 4 frag tanks out of 1 sump?
or will each have a sump underneath

 

[rafael13]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10524323#post10524323 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MrMikeB

Hey, no comment of my guy on the toilet yet?! [/B]

we all know that has to be Paul

 

[pbetito]

Wow Mike!!! You must have a friend who is mighty strong and dedicated to have moved all of those tanks and all of that equipment. ..hmmmm... Maybe he is actually the brains and you are the braun .... anyhow.. Coming together nicely!

 

[pbetito]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10524353#post10524353 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MrMikeB
[B I also have slav... *ahem* 'volunteer' labor. Amazing what folks will do for coral. [/B]

What free coral??? We have to talk you cheap skate :lol:

 

[boviac]

Great!!! - have you Calfo's book on Coral Propagation? A good primer on this topic.

Looks great so far. What do you have for building HVAC/humidty control? What are you using to store and maintain temp of the SW & MU water vessels indicated at the top of the photo?

There was a thread back a while ago I read of someone doing this in a greenhouse (see Calfo's book) in a much cooler climate (WI or somewhere north)... He shared lots of learning points along the way. I can try to find the link if you wish. You, however, are inside so that should help to better control inputs. You might consider moving the heat generating components (chillers & large pumps) into a separate room for more effective heat control - as I've determined that will be your biggest concern (energy consumption - maybe second to lights) in this hot climate area. Would love to follow this thread as you work more to completion. I've found I love the build in someways more than the final setup. But the final setup is what it's all about, right?

 

[muttley101]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10524323#post10524323 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MrMikeB

Hey, no comment of my guy on the toilet yet?!

I guess you can call it a frag tank lol

-Mutt

 

[MrMikeB]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10524378#post10524378 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rafael13
question:
are you running 4 frag tanks out of 1 sump?
or will each have a sump underneath

The use under the stands will be very minimal and the only thing being planned for under them (equipment) is the closed loop pump. And the plumbing of course.

As for the sump, using the RC calculators as a baseline, it will be a 240 gallon sump if I go single, or if I create two filtration systems, it will be 2x120. This is part of the filtration design that I have not decided on.

 

[MrMikeB]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10524453#post10524453 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by boviac
Great!!! - have you Calfo's book on Coral Propagation? A good primer on this topic.

Looks great so far. What do you have for building HVAC/humidity control? What are you using to store and maintain temp of the SW & MU water vessels indicated at the top of the photo?

There was a thread back a while ago I read of someone doing this in a greenhouse (see Calfo's book) in a much cooler climate (WI or somewhere north)... He shared lots of learning points along the way. I can try to find the link if you wish. You, however, are inside so that should help to better control inputs. You might consider moving the heat generating components (chillers & large pumps) into a separate room for more effective heat control - as I've determined that will be your biggest concern (energy consumption - maybe second to lights) in this hot climate area. Would love to follow this thread as you work more to completion. I've found I love the build in someways more than the final setup. But the final setup is what it's all about, right?

As for the book - definitely referenced it in addition to countless hours pouring through online resources (like RCs forum on propagation techniques and the Greenhouse threads) and spent countless hours speaking with folks who have experience in this area.

The condensers for the chillers/AC units will actually be outside or at least vent outside so that I am not double cooling (cooling the water and then the air). This facility is well insulated and shaded most of the time.

Very good question on the environmentals. Given I am planning on spending a lot of time out here, I am putting in 2 commercial AC/dehumidifiers in the windows on the left of the diagram to keep the ambient within realms. I also am having the interiors painted with moisture resistant paint and all metal for the roll-up doors coated to prevent\minimize rust. The water storage tanks are located directly outside the building in large plastic storage containers that are approx 300 gallons each and very well insulated. They are not in direct sunlight. They will be outfitted with float valves, super RO/systems, and be connected to the filtration system for automatic top off and water changing. I am planning to use mounted heaters and large submersible pump in the SW storage and activate it a couple days prior to doing the water changes to get it up to temp/mix. It was not easy getting the county to go for me dumping all this SW down the drain.

Thanks for the input! Always welcome better ideas. For me, I love the mechanics, but in this endeavor, I am focused on functionality and what it means in the end. When I finalize the design on the filtration and start construction, I will put together a new thread to catalog the process. This pre-thread is merely to give you hint of things to come and to thank those who have helped by lending their ideas, time and muscle.

 

[kevin95695]

One cool work-room dude. I bet yer gonna need some more storage, though. Stacking stuff in the bathtub within 2months, tops.

 

[Reefugee]

Hey Mike,

Is this going to be a full time job? I don't know how you find the time.

Very cool setup! When do we get a tour?

Minh

 

[shiveley]

Very nice design Mike. Have you already begun work on the sump and protein skimmer design/configuration? I could definitely put you in contact with a few people that would be able to design/build something to accommodate your specific needs. let me know.

also, if you ever need a so-called "researcher" to man one of those research stations for you, I'd love to help out as well.

 

[MrMikeB]

You guys are great! Its not a FT job in that I can quit my 'real' job. I do this as strictly a volunteer and have funded it myself to plant the seed. I still have to pay the bills, so I tirelessly work on securing my clients from bad things that can happen to their businesses during the day, and play marine biologist at night. I will however, probably drop down to a single fishonly in the house given the tons of reef geekness out in the shop.

Realistically, there are more larger pieces, and a lot more water, but the chores are similar - perhaps even easier given the specificity of the livestock and placement as compared to what I do now. I do plan to geek it out even further with some nifty automation, monitoring, alerting, action, etc. (within reason) The 'Master Controller' I have for this does salinity monitoring, 32 light systems, ph, ORP, Nitrates, temp and can be programmed to do certain valves if I really want to get high tech in the future.

Sleep? Bah! Overrated.

 

[MrMikeB]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10525446#post10525446 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by shiveley
Very nice design Mike. Have you already begun work on the sump and protein skimmer design/configuration? I could definitely put you in contact with a few people that would be able to design/build something to accommodate your specific needs. let me know.

also, if you ever need a so-called "researcher" to man one of those research stations for you, I'd love to help out as well.

I have a design (actually 2) for the filtration, but I have been reluctant to pull the trigger given the up front costs and the fact that everyone always seems to have a better idea as soon as I am about to do it. This diagram reflects a skid mounted design I was going to have built and shipped in, but the costs could not be justified - so now I am resorting to building it myself with readily available parts rather than a custom integrated design.

Its the typical dichotomy I find myself in - I need it to work very well, and cost very little. In many cases, these goals are mutually exclusive. At this point, I am very open to ideas and suggestions on the filtration systems and components. I have a good understanding of 'what' I will need, just not how and where.

P.S. You can check out the website on my profile if you want more specifics and background on this craziness.

 

[boviac]

Sounds like fun!!!!

 

[MrMikeB]

What you do NOT see on the pics is that this building has a very usable attic/crawlspace. To minimize plumbing all over the place, the returns will all be through the ceiling and come down the legs of the tank stands. I know, not very efficient on head pressure, but it was that or go under the ground/foundation which just is not something I am wanting to do about now.

I also have another building dedicated to all the actual research activities and will be used for workgroups, conferences, web discussions, studies and lab work that needs a more stable and quiet workspace. There is a swimming pool right outside that building that I have threatened to turn into a SW tank or a massive refugium.