AQUA MEDIC B5489 Plankton Light Reactor Pro Instruction Manual
- May 15, 2024
- AQUA MEDIC
Table of Contents
plankton light reactor Pro
Operation manual
Please read the manual carefully before use!
In purchasing this plankton light reactor Pro you have selected a top quality product. It has been specifically developed for aquaristic use and tested by experts. With the help of the reactor, permanent cultures of phytoplankton or zooplankton can be produced to feed young fish or filtering animals.
Introduction
For the nutrition of many fish larvae, living plankton is a pre-condition. But
also for feeding many invertebrates, esp. sponges and corals without
Zooxanthellae, living Plankton is the only choice.
The plankton light reactor Pro is a simple system for producing plankton in a
natural food chain. If the food chain shall be realized completely, you need 2
reactors. One plankton light reactor Pro for producing microalgae and the
second plankton light reactor Pro for producing zooplankton.
In the first stage, microalgae are produced with light and inorganic
nutrients. They can be fed directly to many filter feeding animals. The growth
rate of the algae in the plankton light reactor Pro is enormous. With optimum
supply of light, CO2 and nutrients (plant fertilizers) the biomass of the
algae may increase 4-fold during 24 hours. Without CO2 supply, the rate of
reproduction is lower, but usually more than sufficient for normal needs.
The algae are also used for feeding the 24 stage of the food chain: the
zooplankton. This is produced in the second plankton light reactor Pro. Here,
rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis) are the best choice. Rotifers have an
enormous growth potential. If they are supplied with enough algal food, they
can double their biomass in 4 days. A quarter of the culture can be harvested
every day. The microalgae can, however, also be used for raising brine shrimp.
If fed in the right quantity, they are fully grown in 10 – 14 days and can be
fed to bigger fish.
Species spectrum:
In the plankton light reactor Pro, many different species of saltwater and
freshwater algae and many species of zooplankton from saltwater and freshwater
may be cultivated. The main emphasis is for sure saltwater. Here, the
microalgae Nannochloropsis spec and Dunaliella spec have been proved to be
suitable. The zooplankton with the highest growth rate is for sure the
rotifers of the genus Brachionus. In saltwater, Brachionus plicatilis is the
best suited candidate.
For freshwater , we recommend algae of the genus Scenedesmus or Chlorella
and rotifers of the genus Brachionus, especially Brachionus rubens. Inoculums
of these species, you get from your local dealer. In contrast to the breeding
of saltwater plankton described below, tap water Is used instead of freshly
prepared saltwater.
Algae production in the plankton light reactor Pro
For mass production of microalgae in the plankton light reactor Pro, you have
to create the same environment as for the growth of water plants in aquaria:
- suitable illumination
- sufficient nutrient supply (esp. nitrogen, phosphorous, iron and trace elements)
- sufficient supply with CO2
- sufficient water movement: This is of special interest because the microalgae are kept in suspension by the water movement. In completely quiet water, they would sink to the bottom in some days.
- suitable temperature: set up in a warm place, optimum is 20 – 28°C
In the plankton light reactor Pro these conditions can be fulfilled.
The reaction tube is transparent and the diameter is calculated so that the
illumination of app. 50 W is sufficient.
The light is focussed on the algae culture using the special reflector. This
also controls the temperature of the culture. We recommend commercially
available plant fertilizers to supply the algae with nutrients.
The reactor is aerated from below via a pipe so that the algae remain in suspension. It is possible to add CO2 to the air to achieve high growth rates. A standard CO2 system can be used for this purpose. The pH probe is then attached to the culture using a suction cup.
Zooplankton production in the plankton light reactor Pro
For producing zooplankton in the plankton light reactor Pro, the same
conditions are valid as for the algae culture:
- sufficient water movement
- right temperature (20 – 28 °C)
- sufficient oxygen supply
- enough of the right food
The oxygen supply and water movement are guaranteed by aeration. Suitable food is the living microalgae that is produced in the plankton light reactor Pro.
Set up and maintenance of the plankton light reactor Pro
2.1. Delivery
The plankton light reactor Pro consists of the following components:
- reactor housing, capacity approx. 60 litres, with air supply nozzle and lid
- drain hose with tap
- air hose with tap
- lighting unit with ballast
2.2. Technical data
- Ø app. 300 mm, base 500 x 500 mm
- total height: app. 1,250 mm incl. lighting
- drain hose: 20/24 mm
- air hose: 10/14 mm
- LED lighting app. 50 W including ballast (100-240 V AC 50/60 Hz / 22-54 V DC 1.0-2.1 A)
Fig. 1: plankton
light reactor Pro
Available spare parts: Please refer to www.aqua-medic.de.
To run the plankton light reactor Pro you need an air pump with higher pressure capacity. We recommend to use Aqua Medic Mistral 2000 II.
2.3. Safety advices
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The housing and the glass pane of the lighting may become hot during operation. Be cautious when touching it! For cleaning, disconnect the light from the mains and let it cool down. Afterwards, take the light out.
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During operation and cleaning, make absolutely sure that no humidity passes the ventilation slits and enters the interior of the lighting system!
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Pay attention to a sufficient thermal exchange. Keep ventilation slits always free! Do not mount the system in enclosures or behind panels. Missing aeration may result in overheating and damage electrical components.
When used under a cover, one or more permanently running fans with sufficient power are required.
Otherwise, overheating or corrosion due to condensation may occur. Max. 80% air humidity. -
Do not try to repair the lighting system. Please send it in for checking, preferably with a list of defects and a copy of invoice, if applicable. Also, broken LEDs can be exchanged only by the manufacturer.
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When working on the light, always pull all power plugs.
2.4. Mounting
The reactor should be set up in a heated room at a temperature of at least
20 °C. The lid of the reactor allows the blown-in air to escape and acts as a
splash guard. The drain hose with tap for harvesting the plankton is located
at the bottom of the reactor. It is attached watertight using the hose clamps
supplied. The air supply is inserted into the outlet at the bottom and clipped
into the side of the reactor tube at the top so that it cannot be pushed
upwards by the air. The air volume must be dimensioned so that as little algae
as possible is deposited on the bottom. The spacers attached to the bottom of
the air supply make it easier to insert the air supply into the centre outlet
when the culture is dark green and therefore not visible. A non-return valve
should be inserted between the diaphragm pump and, if present, a CO2 system
(diaphragm pump, CO2 system and non-return valves are not included in the
scope of delivery). We recommend filling the reactor to a maximum of 3/4 full.
Illumination of the plankton light reactor Pro
To start up the lighting, the LED light included in the scope of delivery
is inserted into the slot provided on the lid. The power plug of the lighting
is optimally connected to the mains via a timer (not included). The
phytoplankton culture should be illuminated for at least 12 – 13 hours a day.
The zooplankton can also be cultivated without additional lighting. Only fill
the reactor about ¾ with the breeding culture. Clean the pane between the
reactor and LED light regularly.
Operation of the plankton light reactor Pro
3.1. Microalgae production in the plankton light reactor Pro
Before starting, the reactor should be flushed with warm tap water. Then it
can be filled with freshly prepared saltwater. Do not use saltwater from
aquaria or storage tanks so that no foreign plankton organisms get into the
phytoplankton breeding. Especially zooplankton (rotifers) or filamentous algae
can destroy the whole system. A single rotifer is enough!
Cultivation of microalgae:
After starting, the culture is slightly green. The light should be switched
on now. The optimum duration of the illumination for microalgae is 16 hours.
Illumination of up to 24 hours gives only a slight increase of the growth
rate.
Under these conditions, the green colour of the culture increases and after
some days you can start to harvest.
Under ideal conditions, you can harvest 10 – 20 l of algae culture per day. To
do this, they are drained using the drain tap. The missing water is
replenished with freshly prepared, filtered saltwater.
Caution: Only use clean containers to prepare the saltwater. The
penetration of zooplankton into the algae culture can completely destroy the
culture in a short time. Cleanliness is the most important factor for
successful long-term operation of the algae culture.
Fertilization:
A few drops of a commercially available complete plant fertilizer are added
to the water in the reactor. Do not fertilize too much so that the aquarium is
not over-fertilized when feeding the phytoplankton. If the culture becomes
yellowish, it must be fertilized. The amount of nitrate can be easily checked
using commercially available test strips, which also show the nitrate content.
If little or no nitrate is displayed, additional fertilizer must be added. A
commercially available iron fertilizer for freshwater aquaria can also be
added. The harvested microalgae can be used to feed the zooplankton culture
(rotifers or artemia), but they can also be added directly to the aquarium as
food for many invertebrates (mussels, tubeworms, etc.).
Cleaning:
After a few weeks of continuous cultivation, algae growth may appear on the
walls of the plankton light reactor Pro. As soon as these deposits shade the
actual culture and reduce the algae yield, the vessel must be cleaned.
To do this, first transfer the algae culture into a clean container via the
drain tap and close it tightly. The culture vessel is now removed and
carefully cleaned with warm fresh water and a suitable cleaning brush. The
cleaned reactor is refilled with freshly prepared saltwater and the old algae
culture (1:1).
Harmful organisms:
If harmful organisms have entered the reactor – e. g. filamentous algae or
algae feeding zooplankton, the reactor has to be completely emptied and
cleaned. Afterwards, the reactor is filled with freshly prepared saltwater. In
this case, you have to use a new pure culture.
Enhancement of the algae production by fertilization with CO2:
The algae yield can be increased several times per day if the culture is
supplied with a sufficient amount of CO2. A standard CO2 system is required
for this. The gas is fed from the CO2 cylinder via the pressure reducer and
the bubble counter with non-return valve into the air supply of the algae
culture.
A night switch-off is recommended for economical dosing – otherwise the pH
value could drop too low during the night. For this purpose, a solenoid valve
is installed between the pressure reducer and the bubble counter.
In any case, the optimum solution is to control the CO2 supply via a pH
regulator. Then only as much CO2 is added to the algae culture as it consumes,
and the water is always kept in the correct pH range. The pH electrode
required for this can be attached to the inside of the reactor using a
suitable suction cup. For marine algae, the pH value should be set to approx.
pH 7.5.
3.2. Zooplankton production in the plankton light reactor Pro
Cleanliness is also a top priority when breeding zooplankton. To start up
the reactor, it is filled with freshly prepared saltwater. Microalgae from the
plankton light reactor Pro are added as food so that the colour turns slightly
green.
If the plankton light reactor Pro is operated with rotifers, the culture
mixture can now be added (Brachionus plicatilis for saltwater). If Artemia are
to be bred, the reactor can be inoculated with permanent eggs.
Cultivation of Zooplankton – rotifers (Brachionus):
We strongly recommend the two-stage food chain for breeding rotifers.
Brachionus cultures fed with live algae are much healthier and more prolific
than cultures containing yeast or liquid feed. As it is bad for a rotifer
culture if it is not fed for a few days, the algae culture should first be
built up in the plankton light reactor Pro before starting with the
zooplankton.
In a healthy Brachionus culture, which doubles in 4 days, at least 25% of the animals should always carry eggs. The animals should have a gastrointestinal tract well filled with algae (green) and move quickly. If there are no egg- bearing animals, the abdominal cavity is transparent and the animals are swimming slowly, this indicates a lack of food.
3.3. Set up of the food chain
Once the complete two-stage food chain has been established, healthy crops
can be maintained over a longperiod of time – if cleanliness is guaranteed. It
is advisable to strictly adhere to a fixed rhythm of feeding andharvesting the
crop. The following has proved successful:
Depending on the nutrient supply, 10 – 20 litres can be removed from the algae
culture every day. The algaeculture is topped up with the same amount of
freshly prepared saltwater to prevent zooplankton from enteringthe culture.
After removing rotifers for feeding, the rotifer culture is topped up with the
corresponding amount from thealgae culture. However, the growth of rotifers is
significantly slower than that of algae, so that one algae culturecan be used
to feed several rotifer cultures.
As the aquarium may be supplied with a larger quantity of nutrients during intensive feeding, good filtration, in particular a nitrate reducer and a phosphate filter, is recommended to prevent the formation of filamentous algae in the aquarium. If the external conditions are kept stable (temperature, CO2 supply and nutrient supply), this system works without any problems. However, the plankton reactors must be regularly cleaned of the wall growth.
Warranty conditions
AB Aqua Medic GmbH grants the first-time user a 24-month guarantee from the date of purchase on all material and manufacturing defects of the device. Incidentally, the consumer has legal rights; these are not limited by this warranty. This warranty does not cover user serviceable parts, due to normal wear & tear. The original invoice or receipt is required as proof of purchase. During the warranty period, we will repair the product for free by installing new or renewed parts. This warranty only covers material and processing faults that occur when used as intended. It does not apply to damage caused by transport, improper handling, incorrect installation, negligence, interference or repairs made by unauthorized persons. In case of a fault with the unit during or after the warranty period, please contact your dealer. All further steps are clarified between the dealer and AB Aqua Medic. All complaints and returns that are not sent to us via specialist dealers cannot be processed. AB Aqua Medic is not liable for consequential damages resulting from the use of any of our products.
AB Aqua Medic GmbH – Gewerbepark 24 – 49143 Bissendorf/Germany
– Technical changes reserved – 11/2023/v2
https://aqua-medic.de/index.php?r=catalog/product&id=534
Product Info
AB Aqua Medic GmbH
Gewerbepark 24, 49143 Bissendorf, Germany
www.aqua-medic.de