Getting on the reefdome bandwagon

[matt_reed]

Having seen and been inspired by the good work of the guys in Saragani and JD in Panay I decided to get some reefdomes done and experiment with them here in Malapascua.

We don't need more great divesites really, but we wanted to see what we can add back, and of course having a nice little training site right of the beach would be cool too :D

Thanks to Babydamulag for the first hand advice...

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs785.ash1/167528_477517917749_649272749_6417984_2795820_n.jp g
pretty simple set up - we used bamboo to make the holes in the top and sides

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1387.snc4/163904_477517842749_649272749_6417981_7903965_n.jp g
full of concrete

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs048.snc6/167831_477518022749_649272749_6417990_1904950_n.jp g
we had some trouble getting the centre pieces out of the mould...but we managed in the end

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs020.snc6/167019_477517962749_649272749_6417987_780043_n.jpg
as recommended by JD we add coral to the top to help new growth

plan to make about 20 and get them in the water and then see how it goes...it's certainly very easy and very cheap.

[matt_reed]

ah good - now the pics work

[sonar]

I am not familiar with this process but you put them in the water in the hope to create coral? Somewhere at 15M with a consistent current and then just wait? Good job :cool2:

I have seen a documentary once where they used an iron web (like they use in concrete buildings) with electricity on it in order to create a reef. I believe it was in Bali. They had to remove sea urches all the time. Think it was more a science thing then a dive/ nature thing though

Would be really cool if you would take a picture of it every week or so from exactly the same position. Put them all together in a clip in 5 years and you have the birth of a reef..

[clgsamson]

Hey Matt, spot me a bag of cement. Pm me how much?

[rickthediver]

Hi Matt

well done mate - every little bit helps. With placement make sure that the balls are at least 1.5km from the nearest reef. That way they grow coral and develop their own reef fish community, rather than aggregating fish from the already established reef. The trickle charge method of propagation really works well - however you have to balance the cost of the system vs putting the money into other projects

Have a good new year

Cheers

Rick