Plankton/Copepod/OtherCritter Culture Station

[itskris]

Starting a build...

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Airtube, gangvalves, airtube filters all ordered.

Lighting being picked up today.

(Not sure why it flipped the pics sideways. You can click the link under to see them rightside up.)

 

[itskris]

Lights added.

 

[curtismaximus]

Looks like a good start. Following along.

 

[jbdreefs]

Maybe a dumb question.... what is the purpose? To culture food for breeding?

 

[itskris]

Currently my supply of Copepods are being demolished every week by my potter wrasse's and a mandarin dragonet. I'm continually having to purchase a bottle to replenish the DT.

So... I'm going to figure out how to culture it myself. Might even start supplementing some Phyto in the DT. I've been doing a lot of reading on it lately and I think it could be beneficial.

I've got a couple different varieties coming in from Florida Aqua Farms. If anyone knows where to get more varieties I would like to try them out.

Copepods, Amphipods, and Tigger Pods will all be cultured here.

I'm sure I'll have surplus... So anyone wanting my extras can grab them as I make them available.

 

[clay4au]

I'd remove the frosted cover from the lights.

What are you going to use a vessels? just plastic bags?

 

[w_hartyjr]

following along

 

[itskris]

I was going to start with 2 liters bottles. I found some other vessels from us-plastics that looked good to use.


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[merkywater]

I made mine little higher to use 3 liter bottles.

 

[itskris]

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Airline added.


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[markl]

Good job!

 

[myreefclub0070]

Wow, how is this project going.
I tried growing my own with no luck.

 

[itskris]

First bottle set.

Need to lower the top light a couple inches.

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[markl]

Looks awesome.

 

[ghbrewer]

Fascinating...Where did you get the inspiration to build this contraption?
Do you have any links or references to the mechanics and workings?

 

[sewer urchin]

Grant, read this
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-07/ds/">http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-07/ds/</a>
I think that Florida Aqua Farms has a kit for sale ( some assemble required)

Hey Kris, What did you use as a air filter, packed filter floss or was it sterile syringe filter?

 

[itskris]

That's the article I used. However the guy's measurements are incorrect so I had to make some adjustments as I went along.

I also used 3/4" PVC instead of 1" like he suggested.

I wouldn't do it like this again. I've got a better design that I'm going to do next.

Air filter is packed with sterile cotton balls.


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[ghbrewer]

i'll be following along to see how this works out for you and to see any alternative designs.

 

[ringo®]

Here's another on a smaller scale.

 

[merkywater]

ghbrewer;931856 wrote: i'll be following along to see how this works out for you and to see any alternative designs.

They work great. We've had one in use for about 6 months now.

One trick is high powered air pump and rigid air line tubing all the way to bottom of bottles and to keep water bubbling. JIME