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Thread: Automated Xenopus Rack Build

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    Contributor SludgeMunkey's Avatar
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    Default Automated Xenopus Rack Build

    Putting together a large rack to better handle our Xenopus colony here at the labs. Thought some of you might find the build interesting. Full parts list will be at end of thread after build is done!
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    Lots of PVC!

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    Assembly in installation of Water Supply "manifolds"

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    A bit more detail on the inlet system. Yes, those are Cambro polycarbonate food boxes with sliding lids....lots of drilling to do!
    Each bin has a 4 US gallon capacity, when completed the rack holds 21 individual bins. More detail on those later when I Start putting the inlets and outlets in them.


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    Slowly coming together!

    You can see the up to 800GPH Little Giant three stage filter with integral UV-C lamp in that last picture.

    System is pumped by a non-metallic 1/3Hp 120VAC, 720GPH continuous duty unit. More on that later!
    Watching FrogTV because it is better when someone else has to maintain the enclosure!

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    Contributor SludgeMunkey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Automated Xenopus Rack Build

    UPDATE: Here are some more "WIP" photos. Hope to have this system cycling this weekend!
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    The pump and motor. This is a custom pump- no metallic elements...gotta keep that copper out of the system!

    Putting in the drain return lines today, now that the inlet feeds are in place.
    Watching FrogTV because it is better when someone else has to maintain the enclosure!

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    Contributor SludgeMunkey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Automated Xenopus Rack Build

    Made quite a bit of headway this week. Got one tier assembled for testing purposes, will finish other two tiers when more materials arrive. (I didn't want to buy all of the cambros at once just in case they didn't work out for our application.)


    So you are asking, why is the water pink? Leak testing, flow regulation and such....a few mL of red food coloring is a critter safe way to do this, and easily removed with a bit of sodium thiosulfate.
    But anyway, here is the system running with 6 bins.
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    A close up illustrating the drain risers. Thats just 1/2" schedule 40 PVC. They are not glued into the coupler so they can be swapped with different lengths.
    Each cambro has a 7/8" hole drilled in the dead center of the injection mold mark, which then has a 1/2" PVC coupler on the inside and a 1/2 male hose barb
    on the outside. This sits in a hole drilled into the shelf. Then the hose barb is connected to the drain system.

    They system is running in this picture, howver the slide tod lids are not drilled out for the inlet yet. Normally these would all be covered though. I'll install those later.
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    Here is the pump. Had one minor issue- it has 3/4" outlet and inlet threads....so had to make adapters to attach to the 1/2" feed and 1" drain circuits. Yes, I know the hoses and such are in odd places...They are just in there for testing purposes.
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    The pump motor is wired up for 115VAC on a 15A fuse protected system. All off the shelf parts....easy to hook up. The motor is probably too load for most folks, but this ain't my living room folks...
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    You can also see the gravity drain system in this shot!
    Watching FrogTV because it is better when someone else has to maintain the enclosure!

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    Default Re: Automated Xenopus Rack Build

    Sorry if photos are e displayed strangely. My work computer sucks!
    Watching FrogTV because it is better when someone else has to maintain the enclosure!

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    Default Re: Automated Xenopus Rack Build

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    Fail! This filter unit just exploded. Detailed report after I change my pants and we get the mess cleaned up...and get the shrapnel out of The ceiling....
    Watching FrogTV because it is better when someone else has to maintain the enclosure!

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