Automatic Phytoplankton/Zooplankton Reactor.

[Nick S]

So I'm constantly thinking about how I can improve my 300 gallon reef (with refugium). I think I've automated everything I possibly can, except I'd now like to figure out how to automate dosing phyto and zooplankton to my system. Here is what I drew up so I wouldn't forget my ideas...

<a href="http://s1309.beta.photobucket.com/user/NickS608/media/phytoreactor_zpsaae8a374.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s626/NickS608/phytoreactor_zpsaae8a374.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo phytoreactor_zpsaae8a374.jpg"/></a>

I will explain what's in this photo when I have more time to post (still at work). Am I crazy for thinking this will work? Also, keep in mind that I have no experience culturing phytoplankton and/or zooplankton. I do know that I will have an airstone in each chamber and that I will have to fertilize the left-most chamber of the phyto culture with fertilizer. The plan is that the zooplankton will be fed phytoplankton via gravity from the phyto culture.

What do you think? All comments (even if negative) are greatly appreciated!

Here's at least one question I can think of which I will need the answer to. What kind of zooplankton would be best for this set up if plausible?

Thanks!!!

[rlpardue]

So it looks like the rotifer feeding to your tank is on a timer, and that when the timer triggers the feeding, it will also trigger the float valve and cause phyto to flow into the roti tank? I like it.

Keeping live phyto can be kind of tricky I hear. If I understand the process correctly (which I probably do not), you 'split' a phyto culture once it reaches a certain stage of green-ness. (Once it's dense enough with phyto cells). If you carefully observed how long it would take for the phyto to hit that stage, then timed the phyto process so that it will cycle through the grow-out system accordingly, I suppose it would work. You'd want to see dark green phyto in the lowest/final stage, with increasingly lighter phyto going up the ladder towards the source.

There might be issues with cascading dillution. I'd have to think some more. But I like your desire to solve the plankton-reactor problem :)

[Nick S]

Thanks for the post, rlpardue. Yes, part of the plan is that the zooplankton will be automatically fed from the phyto via that (mechanical) float valve. The float switch in the phyto tank however would be an electronic one hooked up to the single dosing pump. And the system will be fed with both (phyto in the fuge and zoo in the main tank) on a timer. When that happens, the phyto tank will be topped off with reservoir water and the zooplankton culture will be topped off with the phyto from the chamber where it is most dense.

You bring up a good point about the phyto culture needing to be "split". I've read that as well in a few articles I've seen so far. I guess I would have to play with the timed dual dosing pump to try to get the optimal rate. But then again, that brings up the issue of whether the rate at which the culture needs to be "split" would match the rate that the tank would beneficially receive both types of plankton.

So many variables! Either way, I think this is something I will definitely attempt and return with my feedback. Before I begin though, I'd like to here more comments and ideas, so keep em coming guys. Thanks!

[Nick S]

Any more pointers or ideas before I try this? Thanks!

[capt85]

I am at the exact same point as you but have about 3 months until i can actually set it up.

Peristaltic pumps do work for phyto and rotifers to be dosed to the tanks, and the phyto to the rotifers. You can have a continual cycle of both but it apears to be a little more tricky than growing in batches. I think the continual way would work better for our goals though.

Google aquamedic phyto reactor. This is what I will be working with but they run on the same principles. I have been able to find some basic setups but nothing that really answers all my questions.

My worries-

I asked about the pumps in the seahorse forum and someone brought up the fact that the rotifers would have no oxygen while sitting in the tube between doses. I do not know how close it has to be to the tank but it is something to think about.

In my research on phyto and rotifer culturing. you need very sterile equipment. When you grow in batches you have different bottles you can clean at different times. With a tank or reactor you have to be VERY careful or tear the whole thing down occasionaly to sterilize.


Still need to know

What kind of phyto to use and how to enrich the rotifers?

Most directions I see include adding a fertilizer to the phyto chamber to help it grow. If I plan to dose the phto directly to the tank should I be worried of remnants?

[capt85]

Oh. Also I think if we get them up and running I would tee off every source to the tank and not dose the whole amount and slowly ramp it up.

I will be running mine off of an apex and would like to control it so I have a 3 hr "feeding period" with the skimmer and most of the pumps off.

[acroman]

The best you are ever going to get is semi-continuous, because it (more the phyto than zooplankton) will eventually get contaminated, and crash. This will happen whether its your first time, or a seasoned pro, so don't get discouraged, just be aware that it will eventually need to be broken down, cleaned, and sanitized.
If you can keep the phyto section sealed (slight positive pressure from aeration, and an air filter) that will help. Also, if you pre-mix your nutrients in the dosing tank, it will prevent you from having to open the reactor to dose. A syringe-style filter inline from the pump will work well to trap pretty much anything that could be growing in your seawater/nutrient reservoir.

Another point to consider is that you will be only culturing 1 species of phytoplankton. While the rotifers can grow and survive on a single species (eg nannochloropsis) it is better to provide them with a couple (or more) species in order to provide a more complete amino acid and fat profile.

Ive been thinking of something similar, and i think it can be done with a single (dual channel for multi-species?) pump, and gravity.

Also, be prepared with a couple smaller "stationary" cultures so that you have a clean inoculum ready to go when the reactor eventually does crash.

[Jorgens]

I'm pondering the same thing! Although, I have a blend of phyto that can last months on the counter. So I'm more concerned on how to dose zoo rather than phyto. I think your dosing pump idea may have triggered inspiration!
Instead of running phyto thru those chambers, I think I'd like to run different species of pods. topping off the first chamber with nsw and phyto and as well have phyto and the zoo reach the system. The trick seems to be not so much in the timing and control as it does in what types of tanks, and where do we find them to culture in... If I could drill a half dozen 2 gallon tanks id be happy... I don't think tupperware would work or this either...lol

[Twizz]

Have you taken a look at this contraption?
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-07/nftt/index.php

[Nick S]

Thanks for the link! I want one!!!