Tickets IMAX Donate

Riverwatch

Podcast: "How We're 'Building' A Reef"

February 26, 2026
At the AquariumPodcast
Close up view of a coral at the TN Aquarium for the Podcast Aquatic episode on building a coral reef for our new exhibit

Excitement continues to mount on our campus as we anticipate the March 7 opening of our all-new Scuttlebutt Reef gallery.

In the previous episode of the show, we took a top-level view of this exciting collection of habitats. This week, we’re zeroing in on what could be described as the gallery’s “centerpiece”: a massive, 6,000-gallon living reef exhibit.

This bustling aquatic community was designed and built from scratch by two of our aquarists, who join us on the episode about halfway through the construction process (at the time of recording). We chat about species selection, the challenges of caring for coral and the many other steps involved in designing a reef that’s pleasant for the animals to live in and for our guests to visit.

Episode Cast

  • Casey Phillips, host/senior communications specialist
  • Kyle McPheeters, life support systems lead aquarist
  • Sarah Kate Bailey, aquarist II

The Podcast Aquatic is made possible by support from The Tennessee Conservationist, the official magazine of Tennessee State Parks.

Printed sustainably on 100% post-consumer recycled paper with UV ink, each issue is filled with fascinating stories about Tennessee’s native species, rich history, and unique culture. It’s also your guide to exploring state parks and planning your next outdoor adventure.

The Tennessee Conservationist logo

The Tennessee Conservationist

Printed sustainably on 100% post-consumer recycled paper with UV ink, each issue is filled with fascinating stories about Tennessee’s native species, rich history, and unique culture. It’s also your guide to exploring state parks and planning your next outdoor adventure.

Become a Tennessee Conservationist and subscribe at tnconservationist.org.

Join other conservation enthusiasts and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

See more ways to listen and view all episodes of the Podcast Aquatic

View Page