When we hear the term "life support," we conjure up images of Mission Control at Houston maintaining the environment for astronauts in outer space.
Yet the correlation is very close indeed. The marine life inside of an acrylic aquarium must have its life artificially supported by the aquarium designer. Science and art intermingle in a very delicate balancing act.
The aquarium exudes serenity and beauty from the public viewing angles, but behind the scenes a complex assortment of high-tech equipment pumps, filters, and monitors. The importance of a fail-safe system cannot be overemphasized.
Life support systems maintain a very delicate balance of biological, mechanical, and chemical filtration systems.
Acrylic aquarium designers maintain their own philosophies for life support systems, but must give careful thought to optimum water life environment, initial cost and continued maintenance costs, noise of operating system, and ease of maintenance.
The initial layout of the life support system begins with the initial design of the aquarium itself. Critical elements include...
1) Dimensions of the aquarium.
2) Where the aquarium and the life support system will be located.
3) Operating budget.
4) A myriad of other details regarding the actual space where the aquarium will be located.
Aquarium life support systems are usually self-contained within the piece itself, but they can be located in another room in the case of a very large display. Aquarium life support systems can be closed or open, and a particular aquarium may have both types, with an open system functioning within a closed system. Both types turn over the environment four times per hour. Both types of systems provide filtration, with a closed system providing additional filtering.
Biological
These factors will include chilling and heating components to maintain proper water temperature. Care must be taken to insure biological filters are customized for bacteria colonies specific to the environment of the aquarium. This takes time to achieve and should not be rushed.
Mechanical
Properly functioning filters and pumping systems must be in place at all times. Backup systems for power outages or surges must be figured into the setup as well.
Chemical filtration
This factor includes eliminating fish waste products on a consistent basis. Any concentration of nitrates proves deadly to fish.
Some of the components include...
Protein skimmer - These improve water clarity and quality by removing organic matter.
Mechanical filter
Chemical filter
UV sterilizer
Chillers and heaters
Wet/dry bio reactor
Life support systems are designed with a computer layout first with considerations for utility access and maintenance taken into consideration.
Installation of the life support system occurs when the piece itself is installed at the site. The system and the aquarium are equal partners in the overall entire aquarium display.
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