7
The oxygen supply and water movement are guaranteed by aeration. Suitable food are the living microalgae
that are produced in the plankton light reactor II.
2.
Set up and maintenance of the plankton light reactor II
2.1. Delivery
The plankton light reactor II consists of following components:
-
reaction vessel, volume approx. 5 l, with air injection port and lid
-
drain hose with pinch cock
-
lighting unit, including external ballast
2.2. Technical data:
-
Ø app. 150 mm
-
total height: app. 560 mm incl. light
-
hose connection: 2 x 4/6 mm
-
LED light app. 10 W
including external ballast (220-240 V AC/50 Hz / 30-40 V DC/300 mA)
Available spare parts: Please refer to www.aqua-medic.de.
To run the plankton light reactor II you need an air pump with higher pressure capacity. We recommend to use
Aqua Medic Mistral 100 or 400.
2.3. Safety advices
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.
During operation and cleaning, make absolutely sure that no humidity passes the ventilation slits and enters
the interior of the lighting system!
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.
When working on the light, always pull all power plugs.
2.4. Mounting
The reactor should be set up in a heated room with at least 20 °C. The lid of the reactor allows the blown-in air
to escape, acts as a splash guard and can take up a pH electrode, if automated (see below). At the bottom of
the reactor is the drain hose with pinch cock for harvesting the plankton. On the lid, there are also connections
for air supply and, if desired, for a CO
2
supply. A non-return valve should be used between the diaphragm pump
and, if present, the CO
2
system (diaphragm pump, CO
2
system and non-return valves are not included in the
scope of delivery).
Illumination of the plankton light reactor II:
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.
3.
Operation of the plankton light reactor II
3.1. Microalgae production in the plankton light reactor II
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!