About the Owner

 

Todd F. Melman, Owner 

Todd has been a reef aquarium hobbyist for 27 years and has worked in the aquarium retail & service industry for over 25 years.  In 2010, he was Naui certified and has been diving ever since in places like the Florida Keys, where we helped on a Live Rock Farm, and the Fiji Islands.  

Beyond Reef Systems Coral Farm System’s mission, Todd often uses his expertise to collaborate & consult with publications, businesses, environmental agencies and academic institutions.

Grants
National Science Foundation (NSF Grant)|
Ohio State University Grant Research project on Coral Acidification in reefs

 

Collaborations
The Ohio State University
University of Delaware
University of Georgia

Projects
Creation of new marine lab at Otterbein University

Set up, design and consultation with the City of Cleveland's Water Waste Management on a lab for Round Goby Grow out systems for waste water management

Reef Systems Coral Farm, Inc
December 2006 - present
Coral farm and retail shop

Our unique farm aims to raise, aquaculture, propagate corals in our custom-built grow out facility and greenhouse. Our corals, fish, and invertebrates are then distributed to the public through retail and wholesale sales. 

Reef Systems, Inc
September 1999 - present
Client service and maintenance

We are an aquarium maintenance company serving central Ohio since 1999 with over 50 regular service clients. We consult, plan, and develop with clients to create a beautiful reef aquarium for homes, offices, or business locations. We will create a maintenance schedule with the client plan to ensure minimal maintenance and greatest success. Our clients' personal and business aquariums range from 60-2000 gallons.

Collaborations

Otterbein University
The Ohio State University
University of Delaware
University of Georgia

Projects
Otterbein University • Creation of new marine lab 2018-2019

Set up and design/consultation with the City of Cleveland Ohio on a Lab for Round Goby Grow out systems for waste water management 2019
Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District

Research project on coral acidification on reefs collaboration with OSU, University of Delaware, University of Georgia, Reef Systems Coral Farm, Inc., funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). 2010-2011

Partner with universities and schools on systems, projects, and publications
Recognized by Ohio Department of Natural Resources/Division of Wildlife as an aquaculture farm.

Publications

Grottoli A, Dalcin Martins P, Wilkins M, Johnston M, Warner M, Cai W, Melman T, Hoadley K, Pettay T, Levas S, Schoepf V. 2018. Coral physiology and microbiome dynamics under combined warming and ocean acidification. PLOS | ONE.

Levas S, Grottoli A, Warner M, Cai W, Bauer J, Schoepf V, Baumann J, Matsui Y, Gearing C, Melman T, Hoadley K, Pettay D, Hu X, Li Q, Xu H, Wang Y. 2015. Organic carbon fluxes mediated by corals at elevated pCO2 and temperature. MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES Mar Ecol Prog Ser. Vol. 519: 153-164.

Schoepf V, Grottoli A, Warner M, Cai W, Melman T, Hoadley K, Pettay D, Hu X, Li Q, Xu H, Wang Y, Matsui Y, Baumann J. 2013. Coral Energy Reserves and Calcification in a High-CO2 World at Two Temperatures. PLOS | ONE. Volume 8 | Issue 10.

Schoepf V, Hu X, Holcomb M, Cai W, Li Q, Wang Y, Xu H, Warner M, Melman T, Hoadley K, Pettay D, Matsui Y, Baumann J, Grottoli A. 2016. Coral calcification under environmental change: a direct comparison of the alkalinity anomaly and buoyant weight techniques. Coral Reefs. Volume 36, Issue 1, pp 13-25.

Cai W, Ma Y, Hopkinson B, Grottoli A, Warner M, Ding Q, Hu X, Yuan X, Schoepf V, Xu H, Han C, Melman T, Hoadley K, Pettay D, Matsui Y, Baumann J, Levas S, Ying Y, Wang Y. 2016. Microelectrode characterization of coral daytime interior pH and carbonate chemistry. Nature Communications.

Hoadley K, Pettay D, Grottoli A, Cai W, Melman T, Schoepf V, Hu X, Li Q, Xu H, Wang Y, Matsui Y, Baumann J, Warner M. 2015. Physiological response to elevated temperature and pCO2 varies across four Pacic coral species: Understanding the unique host+symbiont response. Scientific Reports.

Hoadley K, Pettay D, Grottoli A, Cai W, Melman T, Levas S, Schoepf V, Ding Q, Yuan X, Wang Y,Matsui Y,Baumann J, Warner M. 2016. High temperature acclimation strategies within the thermally tolerant endosymbiont Symbiodinium trenchii and its coral host, Turbinaria reniformis, differ with changing pCO2 and nutrients. Marine Biology: International Journal on Life in Oceans and Coastal Waters.

Kim G. 2007. Trophic transfer of energy and polychlorinated biphenyls by native and exotic fish in Lake Erie (unpublished doctoral dissertation, OSU, Columbus, OH
• Set up 2 closed systems for Dr. Kim's study

Featured Articles/Media- Reef Systems Coral Farm, Inc

Murphy, K. 2016, February 18. Coral Reef Farm. Good Day Columbus (Television Program). Copeland A. 2008. OAA member brings new products to Ohio Aquaculture. Ohio Aquaculture

Association Newsletter. 9 (2), p. 3.
Heath, N. 2008. A greenhouse with an ocean twist (feature cover). Country Living, 50 (7), p. 14-15.

Featured Articles and Media

Curet, M. 2007, February 8. Reef is what pair sows. The Columbus Dispatch, D1-D2.

Lawson, C. 2008, February 6. Our Ohio: Coral Reef Farm (Television Program Episode #313 & 323). Think TV/Ohio Communications, Inc: Columbus.

Lyttle E. 2007. Best of Columbus 2007: Reefer Farm. Columbus Monthly, 33 (7), p.45.
Williams, G.C. 2007, February 8. New kind of farm offers rare kind of 'produce'. New Albany This

Week, A1-A2.
Wray, J. 2007. Biz Buzz: Jimmy Buffet would be proud. Columbus CEO, 16 (4), p.5.

 

Updated 5/26/20