Photo-Bioreactor for Algae & Aquaculture Using Recycled Bottles

Step 3 Constructing the base and Rib support structure

So a few notes on Construction-

Most of the bioreactor is assembled using Methylene Chloride, a wonderfully toxic substance that is used int he commercial production of Acrylic. It should always be applyed with a Plastic syringe, and you should probably wear gloves and work in a well ventilated area
Please excersize common sense, and if your unsure about the particular adheasive your using, ask someone, or at least google it

Now to begin Construction, arrange the top of the base face down on your worksurface. Next arrange the side panels at right angles to one another and the top panel (the side panels should be oriented so that the holes, are closest to the top panel). The front and back side panels butt up against the two slightly smaller side panels so that the joint is hidden from the front view. To test fit pieces, peel off the protective covering of the laser cut components, and use masking tape to hold them together. When everything is tapped together nicely, then you can begin the glueing process

The Acrylic adhesive dries in seconds, and is extremely volatile. It works by essentially melting the surfaces together, and then quickly evaporating. carefully apply the glue, if it gets on any of the exposed surfaces, wit will cloud the surface when it dries. Use a plastic Syringe to apply the adhesive a few drops at a time. You should see a kind of "Capillary Action" pulling it in between the joined pieces. When you see this, move on to the text spot and repeat, until all the joints have been glued together.

The order of gluing should be:
*Top and all side panels
*Use 8 of the base spacers (The 1.3 inch ones, these need to be glued together to form right angles first, then glued into the base under the top panel)

• Glue in the Interior Base Panel A
• Use 8 more of the Base Spacers (this time the shortest ones, which should be glued together to form right angles, then glued in the corners of the base, under Interior Base Panel A)

*Install the air lines, splitters and shut off Valves
*Glue in Interior Base Panel B

• Use the last 8 Base Spacers (This time the Largest ones, Which need to be glued together at right angles, then glued to the corners of the base box, under Interior Base Panel B.
• The Bottom Base Panel does NOT get glued until you are absolutely certain that everything is installed and that you never want to retrieve air pump.

Installing The Air Lines and Valves

The Images will Explain my logic better than words, so if your confused at all, look at the images below. Looking at the First image, you will see Interior Base Panel A. The Center Connector splits the air coming from the air pump into two lines, which are then subsequently split into Two more Lines, Each going to a On Off valve that can be stuck through the hole in each side panel. The Other end of the connector is attached to a 12 inch section of hosing that connects to our Recycled water bottles and goes out the top of the base. The holes In the Sides of the Panels are for the valves that I was using from Miejer, if yours are different or do not fit, you may need to drill them out manually on a drill press. The Single length of hose seen exiting the image going through the hole in Interior Base Panel B, and connects to the air Pump. Again, if you are confused, see the images and comments below

Attaching Ribs
The Ribs Simply slide over the center Support Structure, and twist gently into place, they should be fairly snug, but dont worry if they are not, we will glue them later

Attaching Base To the Center Support Structure and Ribs
The Center Structure Fits into the top of the base, and twist gently
Viola! Your Bio Reactor is nearly complete!