Eli's 300gal Senior Project

[eliben10]

Hello guys, my name is Eli. This will be my first post on NR, but I've been lurking for over 3 years and I am mostly active on my local forum (Atlanta Reef Club)

 

This is my last year in high-school, as my final large project I wanted to start a coral propagation center up in the mountains.

My goal is to create a 300gal+ coral propagation system in an affordable and efficient manner.

I'd like to record the construction of the system, growth of corals throughout the school year, propagation techniques, and put them in a blog, online forum, book, or video series.

Finally, at the end of the year all acquired corals will be auctioned off and 100% of the proceeds will be donated to a organization that contributes to re-establishment of coral reefs.

The goal for this project is not only to grow coral, but to educate people about coral and marine ecosystem in a hands on way. That is why my goal isn't just to publish things online, but to make the facility available for younger kids to come and see. I realize it isn't much, but maybe it could inspire children to think of coral as more than plant. Maybe the answer to our vanishing coral reefs lay within the younger generation.

Donations will be accepted and gladly appreciated. All coral donations will be auctioned at the end of the year back to the community. All corals donated will be labeled with an ID which will correspond to the person who donated in a log book. I will then do a monthly update on each piece so the community can see the growth.

Here is the list of potential organizations the proceeds would be donated too.

Coral Restoration Foundation

The Reef Ball Foundation

Coral Cay

Coral Reef Alliance

A poll will be taken to allow the members of the community (ARC) to decide what organization will receive the proceeds. I will gladly take into consideration and research more organizations if a member has one in mind.

ARC is the primary forum that I'll post updates on, but will also try and post identical threads on the other major forums.

 

This will be a list of materials I'm using, as well as basic schematics for the system plumbing.

Materials for system (as of now):

One 100 gallon horse trough will act as the sump for the entire system (Minus quarantine) - Acquired

One 10' long livestock feeder-

I have a 700gph pump I will be using for now, but would like to upgrade to a Jabeo

Plumbing will be done in 1" diameter 40 PVC. - Acquired

As of now the lighting will be Chinese LEDS.

The tank will run a protein skimmer and possibly some media reactors.

Here is a simple plumbing diagram I made on paint. Thank god I don't want to be a graphic designer.





I do have a question for you guys: Do any of ya'll have experience with light movers? I know people use them in hydroponics, but it seems you could do a similar system with a frag tank. And does anyone have a good recommendation for a skimmer? I was thinking Reef Octopus, but I'm open to suggestions.

 

The system will be constructed on what is currently my back porch, but it will be walled in and from hence for be known as "The fish room".

 

 

The space is 8x16 so it will be a pretty decent size. Eventually I hope to have two or three systems in the room.

Here is a scaled floor plan for everything I have now. I'm planning on constructing a mixing station inside of the building which will be plumed where I can get RODI and saltwater inside the room.

 

The main frag system will be made out of a 10ft long livestock feeder. At 12in deep it's a bit shallower than I would have liked, but it should do nicely.

The quarantine system will be a 55 gal long plugged into a plastic 29 gal sump. Pretty simple.

 

Here is the schematics for the mixing station

 

 

If anything seems out of place on this post it's most likely because its a condensed post of the ones on my local forum. Here is the link to the mother forum if something doesn't make sense.

 

http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=101051&page=2

 

Thank's for reading guys, please leave your suggestions, concerns, or opinions

 

Happy Reefing!