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Authentic Marine Aquaculture from Pflugerville to Greater Austin
Authentic Marine Aquaculture from Pflugerville to Greater Austin
The authentic journey of building sustainable marine aquaculture in Central Texas – sharing both the victories and the learning moments that nobody talks about. From a Pflugerville spare bedroom to serving the entire Austin reef community.
Serving Austin’s reef community since 2020
From Pflugerville to Round Rock, Cedar Park to Leander – bringing authentic aquaculture to Central Texas reef keepers.
From Bees to Reefs in Central Texas
Reef Refuge started in 2020 in a spare bedroom in Austin with a 40-gallon bowfront and a DIY phytoplankton and copepod culture system water jugs and air stones. Transitioning from managing 200+ bee colonies taught me patience and systematic observation, but marine ecosystems proved far more complex.
After four years of reef keeping and two years of breeding operations, the real education came from systematic failure analysis. My first ocellaris spawn of 200~ fry crashed at day 10 due to rotifer culture phytoplankton demands. That failure led to implementing more rigid rotifer culture feeding protocols and backup phytoplankton cultures. Now I maintain detailed breeding logs tracking pH, salinity, feeding schedules, and mortality rates, relying on data rather than forum speculation.
The planned 2025 expansion to a dedicated garage facility will increase production capacity from current 150~ gallons of active copepod cultures and breeding systems, with climate-controlled environment maintaining 78-80°F year-round. Planned automation includes automated top-off preventing salinity drift, and redundant heating/cooling for Texas temperature extremes, and ideally auto-water change into the future. This expansion aims to triple weekly production while maintaining greater efficiency along the way.
Why Central Texas matters: Our unique water parameters (high PH from tap, chloramine, and high particulates), extreme temperature swings, and humidity challenges require specialized knowledge. What works in California doesn’t always work in Austin. That’s why our systems are specifically adapted to local conditions.
What Makes Us Different
No perfect tank syndrome here. I document the cloudy water days, the equipment failures, the breeding attempts that don’t work out. Because that’s real aquaculture, and that’s how we actually learn and improve.
Central Texas Specialization
Cultures adapted to Austin area water parameters. Equipment recommendations tested in Texas heat. Emergency protocols for power grid challenges. Local delivery throughout Greater Austin.
From Bees to Marine Life
The transition from beekeeping to marine aquaculture taught me patience, observation skills, and the importance of sustainable practices – lessons that apply to both terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
Deep Roots in Austin’s Reef Community
I’m proud to be part of Austin’s amazing reef community, connecting with fellow hobbyists and contributing to sustainable local aquaculture practices throughout Central Texas.
Greater Austin Distribution
Our copepods and clownfish make their way into the community through River City Aquatics and direct sales to local hobbyists. Meanwhile, Thursday delivery runs throughout Greater Austin keep the local reef community supplied. We serve Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Leander, Georgetown, and surrounding areas.
For current availability and delivery scheduling, please contact us directly.
Active Community Involvement
Furthermore, I participate in Texas coral shows and connect with fellow hobbyists through Austin Reefers (2.4K members), ATX Reefer Crew (1.8K members), and The Coral Vixens community. Consequently, I’m constantly learning from and contributing to these active local reef keeping groups.
Additionally, you can find more information about these local community connections on our resources page.
Central Texas Expertise
Understanding our unique water parameters (Austin pH 9.5-10.2, Pflugerville/Round Rock 8.8-9.4) and local challenges means providing solutions that actually work in Central Texas conditions, not just generic advice.
From ERCOT power grid considerations to humidity management, we understand the unique challenges of reef keeping in Texas.
Real Feedback from the Austin Reef Community
What local hobbyists and reef keepers have to say about the honest approach to marine aquaculture education.
“Great locally grown pods and phyto at excellent prices!!”
Matthew H.
Austin Hobbyist
“Product was shipped to SA and came very well packaged and product was really nice. Got three different kinds of pods and all were swimming all over once warmed up. Looking forward to future business.”
Kenneth R.
San Antonio Hobbyist