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Fig. 3 | BMC Biology

Fig. 3

From: An automated aquatic rack system for rearing marine invertebrates

Fig. 3

a–l Overview of the water filtration system. a Slotted drain diverter returning water to the right compartment of the sump through the coarse filter pad (origami cover has been removed). b View with the origami cover installed over the slotted drain diverter and large sump opening (see Additional file 3D). c Detail of the protein skimmer located in the left compartment of the sump. Small plastic sump lid has been removed to reveal the protein skimmer. The air muffler prevents water from entering the airline to the skimmer. Part of the perforated skimmer stand can be seen that supports the skimmer at the correct height. d Detail of the left side of the sump showing two magnets that hold the skimmer in place. The bulkhead compression fitting is also seen, through which the skimmer cup drain tubing passes to exit the sump. e View of the skimmer cup with its cover removed to show the chimney and the foamy skimmate, rich with organic materials. The titanium heater is also seen crossing the floor of the sump. f Another view of the protein skimmer. The skimmer cup drain tube is seen passing to the bulkhead compression fitting. g View of the three large canister filters. The skimmer cup drain tubing is seen passing to an overflow collecting tray located on the floor under the rack system. h Opaque black elastic covers for the canister filters, which are used to prevent algal growth. i UV lamp. j Ballast for the UV lamp. k View of the bioreactor located just behind the activated carbon filter. This filter canister is anchored by a PVC stand, and a small amount of the PHA pellets can be seen at the bottom of the filter bowl. This filter also has an opaque black elastic cover, which has been removed for this photo. l View of the small needle valve that controls water flow to the bioreactor to keep the PHA pellets in motion. The main system drain and the large one-way check valve are also seen. The latter prevents water from traveling backwards through the filters during a feeding cycle. am, air intake muffler; bf, biological filter; bh, bulkhead compression fitting; bl, ballast; br, bioreactor; cf, activated carbon filter; cm, chimney; cv, reverse flow check valve; dt, drain tubing; dv, main drain valve; fc, opaque filter covers; fp, coarse filter pad; fv, filler valve; mg, magnets; mf, fine mechanical filter; nv, needle valve; oc, origami cover; ps, protein skimmer; sd, slotted drain diverter; sk, skimmate; so, sump outlet; ss, skimmer stand; th, titanium heater. Other labels are the same as those used in Fig. 1

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