useing a pool to make an ecosystem aimed for breeding

[Chad Vossen]

my grandparents have a greenhouse that is not quite finished and i was thinking of finishing it and puting a nice heater and AC on it. i would like to put multiple containers (kiddie pools or tubs) and have wheels to move the water without the danger of a powerhead sucking up and killing baby fish.
i was thinking of having a station to grow phyto plankton in mass amounts, in the pools, grow macro algaes and inverts such as copepods, isopods, amphnipods, brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, mini brittle starfish and feather dusters. i could harvest bags of this macro algae mix to sell to fellow reef keepers for a friendly price.
then on top of that, i was thinking of adding a pair of clown fish and if they breed, the adults will have food, and the babys will have rotifers to feed on along with copepods. if it turns out that one invert is feeding on the rotifers, then they can be grown in a different container and added to the main tub.

i would think that clownfish would be a good bet however with such a large number of babys, as they get bigger i would have to supplement feedings to handle the increase in hungry fish.

even without fish, i would be able to use the food to feed my own reef and sell critter loaded macro algae to people and fund my own tank.

im not trying to make money from this, my parents wont let me buy anything more for my tank with the money i get from my job. i told them i would mow lawns to pay for upgrades but i dont like that idea myself and thought this might be a fair way to enjoy the hoby and raise money at the same time. but to pay for this setup, im still thinking on that. heaters and AC units arent cheap.. maybe my grandpa has something we could use.

i might even grow corals among the macro algaes. all that would have to be done is grow phyto and add it to the pool, phyto feeds most or all inverts and inverts feed the fish and whatever dies or isnt used up will be obsorbed by the macro algae.

this is all a big idea i came up with today and im sure my grandparents will be willing to help. if anything, i would just grow macro algae lol. the worst that would happen is i end up with a huge tub full of hair algae that nobody wants to buy

 

[David M]

the worst that would happen is i end up with a huge tub full of hair algae that nobody wants to buy

That has been the result of the "greenhouse" systems I have seen here in SoCal but honestly in both cases I think poor maintenance had a lot to do with it. In theory a greenhouse sounds like a great idea but the reality is I think you need to be prepared to do a LOT of work to make a go of it, much more than you would working indoors where you can control light duration and intensity. JMO and not trying to discourage, I like the idea myself.

 

[sunfishh]

1) Its nice to have dreams. They are what keeps the hobby fun.

2) If you have the chance try to make your dream a reality. I guarentee you learn something and are a better hobbist afterwards.

 

[Hoggn]

I think Dr. Mac set up is based on a greenhouse design. Check out his website, he is a sponsor here..

 

[Chad Vossen]

i decided not to get fancy with this. im just going to grow many kinds of macro algae and load it up with every good pod or critter i can order.

i need to make 600$ to pay for a icecap retro t5 setup... yippy! many months from my goal id say.

 

[David M]

i need to make 600$ to pay for a icecap retro t5 setup... yippy! many months from my goal id say.

A part time job at McDonalds would be both quicker and easier

 

[Dman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7750910#post7750910 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by David M
A part time job at McDonalds would be both quicker and easier

Methinks you are correct. I've been at this awhile and it still isn't paying for itself, yet.

 

[fkdenton]

You might want to go to the reef club forums- go to the central illinois marina aquarist(cima) board and read a 20 plus page thread from rick rottet on building a green house. A year or two later many thousnads of dollars and not a whole lot of results yet. I am sure he will but it is a major commitmant.

 

[Chad Vossen]

heh it was a great idea when i got it but right now im just going to buy a cheap container and fill it with old tank water and throw some macro in it.

already have the greenhouse and everything else. might as well give it a shot.

 

[Chad Vossen]

oh yea, the 600$ light was downgraded to a 300$ retro t5

figure i will just go ahead and buy it and pay for it later with frags and macro algae.

money is tight right now. just spent 3,000$ on first semester of college. ALL my money is gone right now lol.

 

[tangyreefer05]

That is a great idea, good post, and good luck. I would be worried about people stealing your stuff though myself, get some type of glass break/shock alarm.