Corals and Jellies LSS Abstracts
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LSS and Exhibit Design for
Pelagic Gelatinous Species Edward Seidel, Tenji, Inc. Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Pelagic gelatinous animals like cnidarians, ctenophores, and pteropods present a number of challenges for captive display: they are often difficult to culture or capture in the wild, their bodies are physically delicate, they have unique Life Support System (LSS) needs, and they require specialized enclosures and food. In order to successfully design exhibits for these animals, it is essential to understand the biomechanics of the different phyla of gelatinous organisms. Through the use of fluorescein dye injected into the pathway of swimming jellies, we can elucidate the ideal flow regime and enclosure design for displays through the visualization of these flow patterns. Kreisels (pseudo, true, or stretch) are better suited for ctenophores, pteropods, and “weak swimming” cnidarians, while “active” swimming cnidarians can be maintained in a variety of tanks shapes and flow regimes. The fluorescein dye technique is also helpful for visualization of the flow fields around system injection boxes and allows one to find areas where flow may damage jellies. LSS components are critical to a well-designed system. Foam fractionators have a large impact on the concentration of DOC (dissolved organic carbon), which negatively affects the uptake of dissolved nutrients for some gelatinous species. Other key LSS components, such as de-gas towers, light (both for exhibit lighting and as a component of LSS), heat exchangers, pumps, kreisels and other tank designs, and the use of LSS bypasses are essential to good design. |
Water Chemistry for Live Coral Aquaria
J. Charles Delbeek M.Sc. Steinhart Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
In the last 20 years, live tropical coral exhibits have become increasingly common in public aquariums. It is not unusual today to find at least one live coral system, and often several exhibits housing live corals and other calcifying marine organisms. Recent trends have also included increasingly larger sized exhibits that present their own unique challenges for life support systems (LSS). Several water quality parameters are critical to monitor and maintain for live coral systems, these include temperature, pH, calcium, alkalinity, phosphate, nitrate, magnesium, and trace and minor elements such as manganese, strontium, iodide, iron and barium all thought to play roles in coral health. Paradigms for acceptable nitrate and phosphate levels for coral exhibits also could be challenged as recent studies have shown that nitrate and phosphate levels ten to twenty times that of natural seawater actually increase coral growth rates in some species. |
Ecological Purification in a
Coral Reef Mesocosm: Controlling Nutrient Mass Balance and Dynamics Max Janse, Royal Burgers' Zoo Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
When keeping aquatic animals in captivity, a method of water management is necessary to maintain water quality parameters within acceptable limits. Technical means are typically used to control different waste problems within closed systems, where for every waste type encountered another technique is applied. An alternative approach to technical purification is to apply “ecological purification”, which simulates natural systems, to an artificial surrounding like an aquarium system. This system uses an holistic approach, in which components of the food chain and food web are simultaneously managed to mitigate waste accumulation within the system. Examples of approaches applied in the field of “ecological purification” are algal scrubbers, periphyton, “live” rock, “live” sand bottom, and organic carbon dosing to maintain water quality. Or even a total system approach, which combines the different ecological purification techniques. In combination, balancing these different approaches concurrently results in “ecological purification”. Understanding and quantifying the mass balance of nutrients within a micro- or mesocosm helps to manage the natural processes within the system. |
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Biological and Mechanical LSS Design Considerations for
Coral Reef Aquariums Steve Hartter, Georgia Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Given food, substrate, and optimal physical and chemical conditions, coral reefs will thrive creating one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on the planet. In pursuit of these conditions, aquarists are forced to navigate a myriad of different mechanical and biological life support options. The choices made in the initial design, set-up, and maintenance of filtration components can drastically affect the performance of the system with regards to labor costs, coral health, and limitation of nuisance organisms. Systems using algae, live rock, and/or sand as the sole source of biological filtration typically had less accumulation of nitrate over time. Minimal live rock was necessary to maintain undetectable levels of ammonia and nitrite with moderate food input. All public aquarium systems surveyed had a form of mechanical filtration installed, although some had their mechanical life support system (LSS) components offline, with seemingly good water clarity and coral growth. In other cases the use of mechanical filtration, such as rapid sand filters, was necessary to maintain water clarity. A variety of mechanical and biological filter varieties are available and their use helps replicate and sometimes deviate from conditions seen on a natural coral reef. |
Water Motion for Live Corals:
Options and Advances Joe Yaiullo, Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
For over 25 years, proper water flow and circulation remains one of the most crucial aspects of long term reef keeping success. Back in 1989 a 180 gallon reef tank was considered large, in 1993 a 1400 gallon reef tank was obscenely large, and in 2000 a 20,000 gallon reef tank was unheard of. Today's reef tanks now check in at over 200,000 gallons. The design is most important to accommodate the ever growing massive coral colonies. Achieving proper water flow for a wide range of coral reef tanks involve technologies that range from the Romans to today's most advanced methods. |