Lembeh Resort has an excellent house reef with many species of fish, invertebrates and frequent encounters with frogfish and cephalopods. We have several distinct environments ranging from coral to sand, rubble and artificial reef structures. However, parts of the house reef have been damaged over the years by storms, destructive fishing practices and anchors. House reef projects to restore structure to these damaged areas and to attract more marine life have been installed with great results. We also put in a path marked by a series of buoys to make it easy to navigate for guests doing self-guided dives. The main projects are:

House Reef

In 2007, Critters@Lembeh initiated a House Reef Project and since then, our in-house Marine Biologist, together with researchers and volunteers, have installed a variety of structures to encourage the growth of coral and sponges and to provide a habitat for sea life. These projects have proven very successful and a dazzling array of Lembeh critters can be seen just steps away from the shore. The initial area is flat and shallow and features a mix of coral, sea grass and sand. Nudibranchs, many species of pipefishes and anemone fishes are plentiful in this area. There are some lovely hard corals also suitable for snorkeling (cabbage coral and acropora table corals), and down deeper, a sand environment where blue-ring octopus, twin-spot gobies and colorful mantis shrimps can be found. You can dive the house reef any time you like, and you pick the depth that suits you; we have had guests who did a 3 hour dive on the house reef and never went deeper than 6 meters/ 20 feet! Self-guided house reef dives are easy thanks to our buoy system, but you can also get a guide for a nominal fee.

Check out our in-house Photo Pro’s video, filmed entirely on the house reef.

 

2003, Reef Balls

Installed at two depths: 16-17m and 18-19m, total 18 structures, made of a coarse-grain cement which is a good substrate for coral larvae and sponges.

Diving, House Reef, Reef Balls, Steve Fish 2012

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2007, Fish House

23 structures installed in 7-15m. Each structure is made out of several long rectangular blocks stacked on top of each other so that they look like a chimney with gaps or holes in the sides for fish to go in and out of, lay eggs and also for coral larvae to attach and grow.

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2007, Bio Rock

3 structures installed around 7m which are growing, living metal structures through which low-voltage electricity was distributed. We transplanted/attached some broken coral to the structures with cable ties for small specimens or wire for large specimens. The electricity was to stimulate the coral to grow faster. The electrical current was running for about 5 years and since then it has been growing naturally.

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Biorock is basically a growing, living metal structure underwater through which low- voltage electricity is distributed. The electric field surrounding the metal structure promotes CaCO3 (limestone) growth on the metal, and with time the structure grows larger and larger, the same way that coral grows.
In order to construct a Biorock, you will need material for the BioRock© itself, most preferably the cheapest (not galvanized) metal bars or rebar. There is no need to use expensive metal. In any case do not use aluminium for any part of the structure as it will dissolve.

Secondly, you will need anode, to which the positive current is led. Anode on the other hand cannot be any other metal than titanium. Titanium mesh (quite costly, $50/m2) will not dissolve, as lead or steel will. It is permanent, will last for years and years and it is non-toxic.

Third, you need a cables, triple isolated, 2.5mm2 cable. We had You to buy these in Mandao. We connected the cables is one whole cables (negative, positive and ground) one attaches as negative and one as positive source.
You will need epoxy marine glue to connect the cables to the anode and to the structure. Also you will need to make a connection in the cables if they do not reach all the way to the Biorock. Obviously, the fewer connections you make, the lower the chance of error, so try to use as long cables as possible or and place the Biorock close enough to the shore.

The way the Biorock works is relatively simple. Seawater creates an electric field. By placing the anodes on either side of the BioRock, you will create even limestone deposition. The size of the anode should be about 1/20 of the size of the structure, but this is only educated guess, there are no strict rules.
Distance from the shore is a limit. If using a battery charger, the DC current running through is only effective for about 100m, assuming you are using at least 2.5mm2 thickness cables. Anything further away from shore, solar panels should be used. If you could use an underwater AC/DC converter, the distance would be no limit. In areas suitable for that tidal or wind power can be used.

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Bio Rock Bulb

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Transplanting coral at Bio Rock tunnel

BENEFITS OF THE BIOROCK

There is some discussion about the effectiveness of the BioRock but here is the list Tom Goreau (www.globalcoral.org ), one of the creators of the method, highlights:
Corals transplanted onto the structure show 3-5 times faster growth

* There is up to 20 times faster healing process of corals, indicated by lesser or no mucus secretion

* 16-20 times better survival in elevated sea temperatures (this is based on BioRocks built in the Maldives before the mass bleaching in 1998)

* Higher settlement of coral larvae

* Fish attractors

From our personal experience: the BioRock is an ideal method to create an extra habitual structure to an area. Coral transplanted onto it does grow and the mortality is very low, compared to other methods of transplanting corals onto fish houses. We also try to choose corals laying loose in the substrate or colonies partly attacked by a predator (coral eating sponge); generally we pick corals that are likely to die if left in their original state, or place. Elevating the corals gives them better position to photosynthesize and we assume they have a better chance to survive and to grow. Fish are naturally attracted to structures for protection and the Biorock is no exception.

NOTE

If you take a coral colony attacked by the coral eating sponge break of the healthy part of the colony and make sure none of the sponge is left.

Websites:
www.globalcoral.org

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2010, Fish Net

We installed 4 washing machines that were cemented in place to make them stable in a deeper flat area at 19-24m and attached ropes and webbing so that it looks like a big net. We also transplanted sponges to attract fish.

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2011, Lava Rock

Five structures were scattered around 7-8m. This is a very natural structure, we made a frame from hollow brick and piled the lava rocks like a small mountain and left some gaps so fishes can swim around and lay eggs. These structures are also very productive for coral and ascidian (tunicate) growth. We also installed this type of structure at one of the dive sites that is close to Lembeh Resort and the results have been good.

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2014, Coconut Shells

Many half-coconut shells were distributed along the flat sandy substrate for flamboyant cuttlefish to lay eggs in. Coconut shells are one of their favourite materials for laying eggs in.

Thanks to these projects as well as our prime location in the epicenter of the world’s premier location for critter diving, our guests have been able to enjoy seeing Blue Ringed octopus, Harlequin shrimps, Ghost pipefish, Flamboyant cuttlefish and even the rare hairy octopus as well as a healthy variety of corals and sponges on our house reef. Come check it out for yourself!

Check out our in-house Photo Pro’s video,

filmed entirely on the house reef.

 

HOUSE REEF RESTORATION PROJECT

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Click the picture to see House Reef Restoration Project – by Lindsey Dougherty

Housereef Fish ID guide

Click the picture to see House Reef ID guide – by Maarten De Bauwer

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2015, Maarten De Bauwer & Luke Gordon Report

2011, Susan Stephanie Report

2010, Lindsey Dougherty Report

2010, Madison Bromell Report

2009, Gen Heffernan Report

2009, Katerine Bengtsson Kupcik Report

2008, Olga Bondarenko Report

2008, Giles Winstanley Report 

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