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