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rcklbs

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My better half and I have decided to build a coral farm in our garage. System to include 2 prop tanks and 6 colony tanks and a quarentine system. Since we are new to this we are open to suggestions and advice on equipment and design of overall system. Basic concept is to build a system that when mature will produce 100 to 200 frags a week. Prop system will be 2 300 gallon tanks colony will consist of 6 150 to 225 gallon tanks and quarentine system will be 75 gallon. Any advice and help will be greatly appreciated.


Rick and Pam
 
I already have calfo's coral propagation and his reef invertabrates book. my post was in hopes the best brands and manufatures to deal with for system this big. even though i'm new at this pretty sure that just because something cost the most does'nt translate into best performance.also believe best advice comes from actual consumer versus lfs or retail info.also thank you for your response.

My goal is to document this adventure and and find out if you can actually support yourself from this amazing experience of sustaining nature in a tank.:smokin:
 
Many people do support themselves. You have to be better at it than they are or have differing livestock.
 
I just helped a friend of mine get started in the wholesale business. He worked out of my basement for a little over a year. We had over 2000 gal of fish and corals set up. You may have already considered or done these things but I will share a little of what I learned.

You stated you were going to use tanks. To be profitable you need to keep your cost down. You can do a lot of water volume with plastic vats. We just set his new coral system up with 6 vats just for corals. 8x2x1 at 120gal each. Shallow water = less watts in you lighting. Rubbermaid is the bomb for large sumps. If done with some thought process you can create a lot of options with very little cost compared to custom acrylic and or glass tanks. Get ste up with suppliers to buy direct at wholesale. As far as water flow and equipment... everyone has their favorites. Listen to everyone and decide for yourself. Get creative with the PVC and ball valves. Don't forget to use unions at your pumps incase you redesign your system.

I will be happy to give you some details on some plumbing options if you would like. We actually came up with a pretty cool system to provide good adjustable flow for these 8foot vats.

ABOVE ALL ELSE DO NOT OVERLOOK HUMIDITY IN YOU GARAGE. PROVIDE PLENTY OF VENTILATION.

I was also going to do something similar but have put it on the back burner for a while. After bagging fish and corals for over a year 3 to 4 nights a week for free to help my friend get started I kinda got burned out and am just enjoying my tank as a hobbiest for a while.

Good luck and have fun!!!
 
Try checking the seacrop website. They have some info on their greenhouse and equipment that may be helpful. Since your in Texas, why not set it up out side and get all that natural light. :D
 
Setting up a tank in your garage, won't your heater be on constantly during the winter? I would hate to see what would happen in an ice storm and the power goes out. Ouch!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7623128#post7623128 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rcklbs
I already have calfo's coral propagation and his reef invertabrates book. my post was in hopes the best brands and manufatures to deal with for system this big. even though i'm new at this pretty sure that just because something cost the most does'nt translate into best performance.also believe best advice comes from actual consumer versus lfs or retail info.also thank you for your response.

My goal is to document this adventure and and find out if you can actually support yourself from this amazing experience of sustaining nature in a tank.:smokin:
Click to expand...

That's where contacting Anthony directly will help you. Also I think you need to set it up in a greenouse type of environment to make a decent profit. In your garage you would be spending too much money on electricity and fixtures. I believe Anthony addressed this and agrees but don't quote me on that.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7641327#post7641327 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by greenstarman
Setting up a tank in your garage, won't your heater be on constantly during the winter? I would hate to see what would happen in an ice storm and the power goes out. Ouch!
Click to expand...

not sure where in texas but most of us down here dont have too many problems with the ice storms... I would be more concerned over the heat....
 
My brother in law lives in eastern washington with a green house frag set up. it drops to near freezing during the winter, with the halides on in the winter and a space heater the tank does great. Only problem is field mice like to make homes inside the green house as well, nice and warm in the winter. :D
 
Juust a quick update portable storage building that will house what used to be in garage will be here in 2 weeks. Once garage cleaned out will start modifying the wiring and ventalation for setup of coral farm. Thanks to all of you for your help and encouragement when actual building phase starts will start posting pictures along with updates. Thanks again to all!


Rick and Pam
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7647493#post7647493 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 8mycash
My brother in law lives in eastern washington with a green house frag set up. it drops to near freezing during the winter, with the halides on in the winter and a space heater the tank does great. Only problem is field mice like to make homes inside the green house as well, nice and warm in the winter. :D
Click to expand...
Yea we have about three acres and lots of racoons and other wildlife. That's why i chose not to do the greenhouse approach. If sunlight needed can always add a solar tube.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7641433#post7641433 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Chihuahua6
That's where contacting Anthony directly will help you. Also I think you need to set it up in a greenouse type of environment to make a decent profit. In your garage you would be spending too much money on electricity and fixtures. I believe Anthony addressed this and agrees but don't quote me on that.
Click to expand...
Grrenstar is right ice not a problem and as far as power goes I'm installing generator just in case
 
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