Day in the Life at Top Shelf: Coral Farming!

In today’s video Blaine continues our “Day in the Life of Top Shelf” series, and for this episode we will be heading into our coral aquaculture facility! Blaine gets with various team members of the TSA farm and checks out the daily tasks and duties that help make this place run smoothly and efficiently! Drop a comment whether you’d want to work in the TSA farm!
Big shout out to the entire team for joining in on this video, and giving us all a ton of insightful information from the Top Shelf team.
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[@opethmike]

We need a video on the maintenance for Blaine's majestic mustache

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Not a bad idea... not really coral related though LOL! -Blaine

[@dusk1947]

The whole video was great, seeing the workings of the commercial production side is always enlightening. And knowing prominent coral shops are leading the way in aquaculture is heartening for those of us who want less pressure on the wild reefs and native habitat. Well done. Seeing the frag process is always useful. And I found the Phyto troubleshooting comparison to be the most useful segment, as I keep one or two strains and still have much to learn. For example, I can regularly achieve "B" class Tiso in my home culture, but only about half hit that "A" level. And I struggle repeatedly in keeping Tet in the free swimming growth form, even lowering the light results in my cultures hugging the surface making it hard to dose it. And I recently lost my Tet culture over the holiday. I ignored it for too long, favoring other projects. So, I will be picking up a fresh batch from TSA sometime this spring. A service I'm happy to see on offer.

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Glad you enjoyed! Also glad I could provide some really applicable info for your systems at home!! Genuinely appreciate you watching and leaving a comment! -Blaine

[@Mhamilton0911]

I'm really impressed with the scale of this farm, really really cool to see behind the scenes!

[@TopShelfAquatics]

30,000 gallons of aquaculture potential!! Truly a sight to see in person, thanks for checking out the video and dropping a comment! -Blaine

[@andrewfordon40s]

I really think the algae propagation station is really neat! I love how on top of everything everyone is with testing and the inspections!

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Thanks for chiming in Andrew! The crew around the farm is top notch, love getting to work with them hand in hand and share the content! -Blaine

[@andrewfordon40s]

I will have to get over there soon it’s been too long! I used to live in wrenwood. Thanks for your hard work as well Blaine

[@TopShelfAquatics]

@@andrewfordon40s hey stop in and ask for me at the shop! Gladly will walk ya through and talk reef! -Blaine

[@ShrimpNReefDude]

Already watched this video a while back, but watching again for the 10K for 10K contest! Thanks again!

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Appreciate you circling back and dropping a comment! Best of luck! -Blaine

[@ShrimpNReefDude]

@TopShelfAquatics Thanks!

[@johndabrowski8748]

Wow that was pretty incredible

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Glad you enjoyed! I got to get back into the farm here again soon… maybe I film another episode this week? 🤔 -Blaine

[@hmm5131]

I love seeing all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes to bring us all sustainable corals. You guys are awesome. 🖖

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Sustainable aquaculture is the goal and we are proud of what we do here at TSA! Thanks for checking out the video! -Blaine

[@justinpuran8937]

You guy's are doing such an amazing job with these videos. They keep getting better and better! Absolutely loved the shot of the coral.

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Thanks Justin! Was really fun making this one and sharing it with you all! Appreciate you dropping a comment! -Blaine

[@magas82]

With that amount of testing and the frequency, have you considered commercial laboratory options? At the least, Hanna offers a bench-top alkalinity tester.

[@TheLandSharks]

Great information

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Glad you enjoyed the video and were able to take some things away from it! -Blaine

[@justinlee2688]

Absolutely brilliant, great to see behind the scenes, big thanks.

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Glad you enjoyed!! Don't forget to hit the sub button! -Blaine

[@124gbrs]

Thank you for the high quality videos. I live in NE Mass. and there are few places to see SPS , Acroporo corals

[@TopShelfAquatics]

We sure do have fields of SPS! Glad we can share it with you to enjoy, thanks for the comment! -Blaine

[@amosmymon9659]

Love this Channel - Love to buy from you guys.

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Glad you are enjoying not only the content, but the aquaculture corals too! -Blaine

[@andrewdixon5703]

Thank you for the coral fragging section. Very informative.

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Love getting to share this stuff, always awesome when you get to hear straight from the people doing it constantly on a day to day basis! Especially at a scale like ours! -Blaine

[@queencityreefs]

Loved it ❤ Enjoyed watching behind the scenes. 👌💯✌️

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Glad you enjoyed! Thanks for stopping in! -Blaine

[@Westcoastchillout]

Thanks for the insight into how things are done Blaine! Appreciate the video!

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Glad you enjoyed it! I won’t lie it was one of my favorite videos I’ve ever been involved with! -Blaine

[@Arie_Idaho_Reef]

Great video

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Thanks for checking it out! -Blaine

[@scents2nspire]

Loved my visit to your store last week from Canada!

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Glad you were able to stop in and check it out while in town! Thanks for leaving a comment and stopping by the shop! -Blaine

[@franklinwest2090]

Amazing Video Guys!! I love the farm! Keep the videos coming. : )

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Thanks for dropping the comment and checking it out! -Blaine

[@kiwikoxo]

I just got my first couple live rock! can't wait to try my first saltwater tank with corals in a couple months!

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Love to hear that! Glad you stumbled upon the page, we have a ton of great videos for you! Check out the cycling video! Thanks for stopping in means the world! -Blaine

[@OCNcheffy]

Only 8k subscribers, and such a high quality video! Keep up the great work.

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Much appreciated! Hope I earned a sub from ya! Thanks for checking out the video!

[@colsonscritters]

Great video!

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Much obliged Colson! -Blaine

[@zacmacpac]

Would be cool to have seen your anemone tanks as well. Awesome tour

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Will be many more opportunities to revisit the farm! Will put this on my list, thanks for leaving a suggestion! -Blaine

[@megantraxler138]

Wow I’m surprised the galaxea is near other things!

[@richbradley4796]

Great behind the scenes! What do you target for Phosphate level?

[@TopShelfAquatics]

We try to stay within a range of .04-.07 depending on the exact system, and what is inside it! Thanks for checking the video out! -Blaine

[@carlheller6648]

It's so amazing how you do it. Future video how money people work there and how you guys got into reefing

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Like the sound of that! Will put that on my list for sure, thanks for stopping in and leaving a comment! -Blaine

[@quintin-johnsmith8363]

Very impressive 👍👍👍 Would love a tour of the farm one day.

[@TopShelfAquatics]

If you’re in the area and stop in ask for me, happily will give ya a tour! Appreciate you checking out the video and leaving a comment! -Blaine

[@fishstix1988]

What parameters do you keep for nitrates and phosphates (have an LPS dominant tank)?

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Per Evan! “Nitrates 20 Phosphates 0.06-0.09 If the phosphates are below target we feed coral food, if they’re high we skip a feeding and use GFO if they stay high. 0.15 is the cut off for GFO.” -Blaine

[@GEORIGE92]

What salt were you using on the mixing station?

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Red Sea Blue Bucket! -Blaine

[@EsterJen]

I won't complain anymore about the time it takes to test my 100g

[@TopShelfAquatics]

RIGHT?!? It truly is a dedication over here at this facility! -Blaine

[@mryes413]

I want a softie tank any ideas for a softie garden?

[@TopShelfAquatics]

So many amazing things to choose from! We carry a plethora of nice ones, our Gloworm toadstool is a stunner along with every zoanthind in our collection! Can’t go wrong with Blue Cespitularia! -Blaine

[@Exses3D]

The maintenance accounts get dirty water for their water changes?

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Like Tim had mentioned the water will be used to quick cycle any tanks around TSA and for maintenance! -Blaine

[@magicalnocturnal]

What is the song being used in the background?

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Tracks from Epidemic music let me know which one, and I will get you a title! -Blaine

[@petecostanzo]

How do you not have a Lamotte Spin FF or Spintouch ? What a waste of time and resources testing this way??? 8 tests in 2 min, I would have all that done in an hour....Best investment I ever made

[@TopShelfAquatics]

For our farm we need to ensure our results are spot on, and the accuracy of those units are not something we would want to bank on! Glad the unit is working out for you! -Blaine

[@petecostanzo]

@@TopShelfAquatics Just an fyi, I thought the same thing, My Lamotte is spot on, I frequently double check with my Hanna , remember both of these are photo testers so, the hanna is the same principal

[@natejonas1107ify]

​@@petecostanzo I sometimes wonder though. My LFS has a Spin touch and I've tested the same water back to back and received different numbers. Differences were Ammo: .1, Mag: 10, and Cal was off by 72.

[@petecostanzo]

@@natejonas1107ify ​​⁠the thing that people are missing, you say off by “x”, your relying on color interpretation with your eyes, no 2 drops are equal etc etc, who says the numbers are correct either way? Unless you have lab equipment there is no real way to be 100 percent sure , I spot check and the checker has been extremely accurate. I have 12 running tanks in my home and this has been the single most useful investment I have made, time is money…. Remember the Hanna checkers work off the same principles, this just tests 8 tests in 2 min

[@WifePriceReefer]

I'd be nervous going to the farm every morning - like is this free day everything is nuked?

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Got to be on your A-Game everyday around here! There’s no question about that! -Blaine

[@benmarkel3189]

I always say it’s a good day when the fish are swimming, a phrase I borrow from my aquaculture mentor.

[@franklinwest2090]

One sample is named Blaine. What kind of sample is it?! : 0 : )

[@TopShelfAquatics]

The studio systems 😂 love the keen eye! -Blaine

[@alexisramos9064]

If that system he was doing a water change on is the QT system why would that water be used throughout the store and customers tanks? Defeats the purpose of a having a qt no? 🤔

[@TopShelfAquatics]

The Sherwood system is actually one of our last legs of QT so it’s just very well managed systems not a QT at that point, and that water is perfect for any quick cycle situations! -Blaine

[@alexisramos9064]

@@TopShelfAquatics awesome. Makes sense then! Beautiful shop 😌

[@AdKa-nc7tk]

You guys should definitely look into 96-well plates+multichannel pipette+plate reader for those tests yikes

[@TopShelfAquatics]

We would rather continue the course and maintain quality results! Glad those applications are working for you on your end though! -Blaine

[@AdKa-nc7tk]

Oh not for me. If if you touch base with a local university I’m sure they would help…and would provide much more accurate and sensitive readings

[@Koalavo]

why dont they just use a spin tester lol

[@TopShelfAquatics]

If you think about it though it really is just another step to add to an already long process! Sometimes those could just get in the way in these full testing days! -Blaine