rotifer culture containers

[_shorty_]

i know typically 5gal buckets are used for rots. What about a conical shaped container? like an upside down water jug?

I'd think detritus and other crud would sink (right?), allowing for easy removal of some crud on a regular basis. Simply open a valve on the bottom to let it drain out.

I'm assuming you could also use this valve for harvesting.

I always try to think of ways to make things as easy as possible, cause I'm lazy.. Seems that you could automate the process of keeping a culture alive this way through a continuous culturing method. Drain out 1/3 every couple days to waste, auto top-off with fresh made water, and do a constant dosing of a food source/additives.

Of course I have no experience yet. Just trying to get a game-plan started. Any thoughts?

How long would you expect a culture to last that was maintained in this type of manner without doing a full cleaning on the container?

 

[D-Nak]

I think it might work and it worth giving it a shot. I hate cleaning my buckets, and I only do it every few days instead of the recommended schedule of each day.

I think it would be a neat idea to try to use a 5 gallon jug, mounted upside down as you mentioned. The bottom (now the top) would have to be removed, but this will allow you to open up the top (now at the bottom) to remove the crud that has settled after you turned off the air bubbles. Then you would drip in new water as you suggest. I may have to try this myself!

 

[_shorty_]

I think it might work and it worth giving it a shot. I hate cleaning my buckets, and I only do it every few days instead of the recommended schedule of each day.

I think it would be a neat idea to try to use a 5 gallon jug, mounted upside down as you mentioned. The bottom (now the top) would have to be removed, but this will allow you to open up the top (now at the bottom) to remove the crud that has settled after you turned off the air bubbles. Then you would drip in new water as you suggest. I may have to try this myself!

I was thinking of a drip method of feeding the culture, but you said drip in your re-fill water? Is this important to do slowly to prevent shock to the culture?

I've been thinking more about this. I found rubber stoppers that will plug up the neck/bottom hole. You can buy them with one, two, or no holes. My idea was to do the two hole version. I'm thinking the first pipe (or rigid airline) would be flush with the inner part of the rubber stopper (water side of the stopper). The air pump mounted above the containers with airline (with check valve near the end) that is routed down below the container, attached just above a valve on the outside of the rubber stopper. While the valve is closed, water stays in, and air is introduced via this hole. Turn air off, tap on the sides a bit to knock down crud, and then just jog open and close the valve to remove the crud.

Last night, when reading different sources, I found an artical where someone mentioned a conical setup - and to 'spin' the container for 15-30 minutes a day to knock down debris, and then carefully syphon or dump the buildup immediately after.

The second hole would be for a pipe (or rigid airline tubing) also valved that extends about 2/3 the way up into the container. You could then open that valve for harvesting and water changes. just open and leave it until that 1/3 of the water dumps out into your sieved container or to waste. When it's done, just close the valve and top off your water level.

I think that potentially all lays the groundwork for an automated continuous culturing system. I put together an arduino controller for the tank recently.. This may be a future controller project!

 

[GreshamH]

I've run them, they are no less maintaince *if* you truly want a continuous culture. A very simple light brushing off of the side of a bucket is all that is needed, then a water change. If you are using Rotifer Floss, it greatly reduces the amount of detritus.

There is not much crud to speak of FWIW.

We have a flow through system, with such a system the make-up water is the same as the culture water. The change in salinity, if needed, is done via the make-up water container.