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ARC Marine Research Laboratories (ARC Reef)

ARC Reef is a state and federally licensed marine research laboratory and aquaculture facility. Our state of the art research laboratory allows us to do NS, OS, UL water testing, and our cutting edge equipment enables us to isolate, identify, and conduct research on many coral diseases. ARC Reef specializes in pychological hybridization of over 68 separate species of aquaculture coralline algae. We are working hard each day to bring about positive change and a better understanding of coral reef ecology. Our highly dedicated staff is comprised of marine biologists, research associates, and skilled divers, all united in the goal of making change happen.

Our mission

ARC Reef’s main focus is on developing new and innovative techniques for reef-building. Our reef-building and reef-seeding projects are conducted throughout the United States, the Bahamas, and Puerto Rico. Our coralline seeding program is now being utilized to help quicken the lengthy process or coral settlement on both artificial reefs and natural reefs that have been hit by stressor events.  By using our coralline algae spores we can shave off 1 full year and speed up the process of maturity as well as drastically reduce the growth phases of nuisance algae. We are strong advocates of fully eliminating the collection of wild reefs. Our staff is always striving to come up with new and innovative methods for reef restoration, coral propagation, collection techniques, and transportation methods. ARC Reef regularly aids in reef restoration projects, educating the public on the importance of reef conservation, and spearheading needed initiatives through working with our elected officials. Our reefs are declining at an alarming rate and we are determined to reverse this process. The Florida Reef Tract is the 3rd. largest barrier reef in the world but has lost 79% of its corals. This number is expected to grow unless we act now to change it.  Every purchase of our Live Rock and Coralline Algae products helps to grow our abilities to do just that. Our efforts are funded solely through our sales. 20% of all purchased goes directly to this cause. We would like to thank our loyal customers, the National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the Department of Agriculture for all your support.

ARC Reef – Certified Aquaculture

Sustainable Aquaculture Processes

ARC Reef is dedicated to using our products proceeds to benefit our marine ecosystems. To date, we have successfully planted over 87,000 sq. ft. of new coral reefs and expect this number to double within the next 12 months. We are also in the process of obtaining special permitting that will allow us to propagate 2 species of endangered corals; Elkhorn Coral (Acropora cervicornis) and Staghorn Coral (Acropora cervicornis) as well as 1 species of threatened coral; Pillar Coral (Dendrogyra cylindrus). You can read more about our current project called Heart Reef Miami.

Our Facilities

We have over 10,000 gallons of staging grow out tanks and several other research tanks for corals, each equipped with state of the art digital monitoring equipment. Our water parameters are monitored 24 hours a day 7 days a week to ensure all levels match that of the natural seawater 4 miles offshore on our main artificial reef project. ARC Reef staff members conduct weekly water samplings at dedicated locations offshore, nearshore, and inland.  These samples are then analyzed in our lab and the results published and sent to other agencies that we collaborate with. Just as with your aquarium, water testing is crucial in answering many questions about coral health and well-being. We keep a high flow rate through each tank and have massive skimmers to quickly eliminate any die-off should there be any. We use a specially designed lighting system that moves, pans, and tilts. This special system provides full-spectrum sunlight to all areas of each tank for timed durations, enough to keep corals and marine plant life thriving while at the same time eliminating any algae or diatom blooms. Our live rock is collected and transported on our boats in a special way that keeps them underwater for this entire process, thus eliminating any die-off or need for post-collection cycling.  We are always looking at new technologies and methods that can be utilized with our systems to increase coloration, growth, and the general health of our live rock and corals. We try to pass this knowledge on through the many research articles found on our site.

ARC REEF SENIOR STAFF MEMBERS

ARC Reef Live Rock Staff Member

Thomas Mattison

ARC Reef Live Rock Staff Member

Jillian  Brightman

ARC Reef Live Rock Staff Member Richard

Richard Franklin

ARC Reef Live Rock Staff Member Kaitlyn

Kaitlyn Harker

ARC REEF LIVE ROCK

ARC Reef Live Rock Atlantic Reef Conservation Aquarium Live Rock

We are Here to Help and Available 7 Days a Week

Our customer support is here to help you 7 days a week.  If you have questions, we have answers.  We are here to help, both before and after your purchase. We consider our customers family, and we welcome you to SMS message or call us any time at 1 (800) 268-ROCK or [email protected]

ARC Reef Live Rock Atlantic Reef Conservation Aquarium Live Rock

We Ship Out All 7 Days of the Week

We offer 4 shipping speeds and ship out Live Rock via air freight 7 days of the week including Sundays. If you purchased your Live Rock with UPS 2 day, we ship out all packages Monday through Wednesday. If you selected standard UPS ground service, we ship out all packages every Monday and Tuesday.

ARC Reef Live Rock Atlantic Reef Conservation Aquarium Live Rock

We Stand Behind our Products

ARC Reef stands behind every order with our 100% Unconditional Lifetime Warranty. If you’re ever unhappy with your product or simply want to exchange your Live Rocks for any reason or even no reason at all, simply contact us and we will happily exchange your order free of charge, no questions asked!