PDA

View Full Version : Diy Zooplankton Culturing (inline)


sphelps
05-08-2006, 03:52 PM
As promised I've come up with a design for a zooplankton culturing system that will automatically add live zooplankton to your tank. This particular unit could be used for brine shrimp, rotifers, copepods or other types of zooplankton. I will be using this unit for copepods.


Please keep in mind this is still a prototype. After testing, I may make changes and I will offer the product to be custom made to order for those who would like such a unit and don't want to attempt the build themselves.

Here's the basic Design:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/copepodstation.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/copepodstation1.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/copepodstation2.jpg

Basically live phytoplankton is slowly added to the system, once the level reaches the top of the siphon tube, a siphon is created flushing zooplankton and phytoplankton into the display tank. Once the culture level drops below the end of the siphon tube the siphon is broken. The amount of zooplankton and phytoplankton flushed depends on the rate in which phyto is added and the length of the siphon tube.

sphelps
05-08-2006, 03:56 PM
Here's the completed prototype:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/CultureStation013.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/CultureStation012.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/CultureStation011.jpg

A heater was installed but is not necessarily required. Live phytoplankton will be temporally added to the system by a slow drip from a 1L container. Once my design for a inline phyto culture system is complete it will be added to this unit.

sphelps
05-08-2006, 03:59 PM
The system full with live phyto and copepods. I just need to add a 1/2" to 3/8" adaptor to connect the unit to my pipefish tank. I'm also still waiting for a fresh batch of live phyto before I can start the system inline.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/CultureStation016.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/CultureStation015.jpg

sphelps
05-08-2006, 04:03 PM
If anyone is interested in having this unit built for their setup a final design should be ready in about a week. The cost for this unit should be around $125, and will include everything except the air pump and heater.

This prototype will be on display at my place for the salt tour this weekend.

Feel free to send me any questions you may have or send me an email if you wish to place an order, sphelps@sasktel.net