This instructable will show you how to construct and maintain a basic bioreactor that can be used to grow all sorts of cool things like algae, brine shrimp, or SeaMonkeys! The Bioreactor also makes an interesting conversation piece to show off to your friends, as well as utilizing discarded plastic bottles.
So now for some background information, in case you have no idea what a bioreactor is, according to Wikipedia:
" A bioreactor may refer to any device or system that supports a biologically active environment.[1] In one case, a bioreactor is a vessel in which is carried out a chemical process which involves organisms or biochemically active substances derived from such organisms. This process can either be aerobic or anaerobic. These bioreactors are commonly cylindrical, ranging in size from liters to cubic meters, and are often made of stainless steel. "
For this instructable, I will be demonstrating a bioreactor for Bioluminescent Algae, so according again to Wikipedia, this would actually be a Photobioreactor since the organisms we are growing use photosynthesis to create energy.
The components for this project are made from laser cut acrylic, recycled plastic water bottles, and a few basic aquarium supplies
So now for some background information, in case you have no idea what a bioreactor is, according to Wikipedia:
" A bioreactor may refer to any device or system that supports a biologically active environment.[1] In one case, a bioreactor is a vessel in which is carried out a chemical process which involves organisms or biochemically active substances derived from such organisms. This process can either be aerobic or anaerobic. These bioreactors are commonly cylindrical, ranging in size from liters to cubic meters, and are often made of stainless steel. "
For this instructable, I will be demonstrating a bioreactor for Bioluminescent Algae, so according again to Wikipedia, this would actually be a Photobioreactor since the organisms we are growing use photosynthesis to create energy.
The components for this project are made from laser cut acrylic, recycled plastic water bottles, and a few basic aquarium supplies
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Signing UpStep 1: Materials
As a college student, time can be purchased on campus laser cutters, so its one of the quickest means of producing components parts for any project, and was crucial in the construction of the photobioreactor. Besides having access or knowing where to find one of these amazing machines, youll need the following materials:
Acrylic
1/16 inch Clear (7 x 36 )- youll need 2 of these
1/8 inch Smoke colored (15 x 36 )
3/16 inch Clear (5.5 x 23 )
Acrylic adhesive
I used Methylene Chloride from a plastic shop here in town, but JB Weld also makes glue that works on acrylic, youll have to look around for something that works well.
Small aquarium air pump
-I used a WhisperAir pump, but any pump should do since we're not dealing with very large amounts of water
Aquarium Tubing
3-way airline splitters (Qty. 3)
On/Off Airline valves (Qty. 4)
Air Stones (Qty. 4)
Aquarium Silicone Sealant
- Hot glue could be substituted here
Clear plastic Containers (Qty. 4)
- Go out and dumpster dive for these, I found some great 1 liter SmartWater containers, so thats what I used when I designed my reactor.
Algae
I used bioluminescent algae, which can be obtained from the link below
http://seafarms.com/html/products.html
Aquarium Salt
I used Instant Ocean, however this may be unnecessary depending on the type of algae you are using
Water Conditioner
-Easily available at meijer, Removes heavy metals and Chlorine from tap water to make sure you dont accidentally poison your starter cultures. BE SURE TO AVOID ONES THAT SAY ALGAE CONTROL THESE WILL KILL THE CULTURE!
Algae Fertilizer
This can be obtained here:
https://3kserver7.com/~frank/secure/agora.cgi
A Quick note on materials, the acrylic I used was what was available to me in the scrap bins here at school, so the design is based around that. If you plan on using alternate acrylic thicknesses, you will also need to edit the DXF Files I provide in the next steps to fit your material.
Also, the tubing, valves, splitters, and water stones can be purchased in nice prepackaged sets at meijer for around 4 dollars.
Acrylic
1/16 inch Clear (7 x 36 )- youll need 2 of these
1/8 inch Smoke colored (15 x 36 )
3/16 inch Clear (5.5 x 23 )
Acrylic adhesive
I used Methylene Chloride from a plastic shop here in town, but JB Weld also makes glue that works on acrylic, youll have to look around for something that works well.
Small aquarium air pump
-I used a WhisperAir pump, but any pump should do since we're not dealing with very large amounts of water
Aquarium Tubing
3-way airline splitters (Qty. 3)
On/Off Airline valves (Qty. 4)
Air Stones (Qty. 4)
Aquarium Silicone Sealant
- Hot glue could be substituted here
Clear plastic Containers (Qty. 4)
- Go out and dumpster dive for these, I found some great 1 liter SmartWater containers, so thats what I used when I designed my reactor.
Algae
I used bioluminescent algae, which can be obtained from the link below
http://seafarms.com/html/products.html
Aquarium Salt
I used Instant Ocean, however this may be unnecessary depending on the type of algae you are using
Water Conditioner
-Easily available at meijer, Removes heavy metals and Chlorine from tap water to make sure you dont accidentally poison your starter cultures. BE SURE TO AVOID ONES THAT SAY ALGAE CONTROL THESE WILL KILL THE CULTURE!
Algae Fertilizer
This can be obtained here:
https://3kserver7.com/~frank/secure/agora.cgi
A Quick note on materials, the acrylic I used was what was available to me in the scrap bins here at school, so the design is based around that. If you plan on using alternate acrylic thicknesses, you will also need to edit the DXF Files I provide in the next steps to fit your material.
Also, the tubing, valves, splitters, and water stones can be purchased in nice prepackaged sets at meijer for around 4 dollars.
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uhm......brine shrimp = seamonkeys?