Facility Pics

Wavespring Aquaculture grows marine ornamental coral and fish in a naturally lit greenhouse facility in Rockville, Maryland.  This is the second such location; our first, now closed, was in Gainesville, Florida.  For this second facility, we chose to build a more climate controlled aluminum and glass structure, as opposed to a plastic and steel coldframe building in Florida.  This choice was made both for function and looks; the glazing is dual-pane silver coated argon filled glass which rejects nearly all UV and IR light.  The sealed nature of the building allows easier temperature control on both hot summer days and cold winter nights, essentially acting more like a traditional building rather than a greenhouse.



Corals and fish are co-cultured together in a single recirculating aquaculture system.  Five tubs of approximately 750 gallons each provide a usable surface area of 300 square feet of coral growing space.  Juvenile fish are allowed to roam free amongst the coral and anemones, which we feel allows more productive use of the water volume by exploiting symbiotic and commensal relationships between the various animals.




Water quality is maintained by an array of equipment custom built for the facility.  Protein skimming is accomplished with a 115 gallon, 8 foot tall skimmer powered by a Reeflo Hammerhead pinwheel pump.  Ozone is used in a separate ozone reactor; coupled with an Emperor Aquatics UV sterilizer to help keep water crystal clear and free of nuisance algae and pathogens.  Calcium and alkalinity are maintained with a large calcium reactor.  Water changes are done automatically and continuously via dual channel peristaltic pump.  Temperature is maintained with a 3 ton Aqualogic heat pump.



We currently produce about 30 species of coral and fish, with another 50-60 in evaluation growout.  Suggestions on new species to grow are always welcome!

Thank you for your interest in our company.

Justin Casp

Wavespring Aquaculture