Discovery Collection

Aquarium Life Support Systems (LSS)
Our Life Support Systems not only create a stable and enjoyable environment for the marine life, but they are also quiet and dependable which allows for your maximum enjoyment. We take our time in establishing the most beneficial environment for the habitat that resides within your Living Color Discovery Collection Aquarium. Many of our systems are self contained, however, we can have these systems located elsewhere within your residence or facility. The size of the Life Support System is based on the size and complexity of your aquarium.

Here is an example of a Discovery Collection LSS. Please click on the individual image for a larger picture.

Take a look inside...

To see what the fish enjoy.

Included with every Discovery Collection aquarium:

• Wet/dry filter containing prefiltration
  
• Biomedia and post-filtration
  
• Magnetic drive circulation pump
  
• Polishing canister filter
  
• Venturi-driven protein skimmer equipped with its own submersible pump (saltwater only)
  
• High intensity power compact lighting
  
• Aquarium care package
  

LCEI Policy on the Philosophies of Life Support Design

The following outlines the basic philosophies and standard procedures followed in designing and building life support systems. Although the particular size of the systems may vary, the basic strategies are very similar. Therefore, the philosophies and procedures remain somewhat consistent weather it be a 300 gallon system or a 10,000 gallon system.

Design Philosophies

The life support system design includes biological, mechanical and chemical filtration, as well as, protein skimming. The design may include a single wet/dry self-contained filter, or a remote filter system. A remote life support system will usually require at least an open system, and normally include a closed system as well. The remote system will usually include a chiller and a heater as well, to control the temperature.

A) Design philosophy in regards to an open system are as follows:

• Turn over through the open system should be approximately four times per hour. Therefore, the pump should be rated for this turn over at the given head loss for the aquarium in question.
  
• The system shall require an atmospheric reservoir of approximately 10% the volume of the main aquarium (the more volume available, the better). Within the open reservoir shall be pre-filtration, typically micron polyester bag filters.
  
• The open system shall include a protein skimmer rated for the volume and load of the aquarium in question. The skimmer should be able to handle approximately 20% of the volume of the aquarium turn over once per hour, on a minimum basis.
  
• The open system shall either have a fluidized bed filter and/or a bio/de-aeration tower with a sufficient quantity of bio-balls for gaseous exchange and biological oxidation/reduction.
  

B) Design philosophy in regards to a closed system are as follows:

• Turn over through the closed system is not as critical as the open system (approximately 2-4 times per hour turn over is very adequate).
  
• The closed system provides additional circulation.
  
• The closed system provides additional mechanical filtration through a canister filter.
  
• The closed system provides chemical filtration through a carbon canister filter.
  
• The closed system is a good means to contact the chiller on a side stream.
  

Design Procedures

The initial stage of proper life support design begins with the gathering of information regarding the aquarium. Usually, the required information is disseminated by the project manager, during a kick-off meeting. It is helpful to know the following:

• What the dimensions and geometry of the aquarium are.
  
• What the dimensions of the planned life support room will be (if any).
  
• Where the life support system is going to be located (how far).
  
• What elevations are involved (same floor, the floor below, etc).
  
• What scope is included within the contract (specific equipment, details, etc).
  
• What the operating budget is.
  
• Where and when the aquarium installation is to take place.
  

Once the exact parameters and details of the proposed aquarium have been determined, the process equipment may be selected. The life support room layout is designed with respect to the space requirements of the selected equipment, as well as access for maintenance. Utility needs are determined (power, water and drain service), and air-conditioning and ventilation is specified. The life support room layout (along with all of the pertinent requirements) is then given to the Design Department for CAD generation. Upon completion of the CAD designs, the drawings are checked for accuracy, and then submitted to the project manager for approval. Once the project manager has approved the design, equipment and materials may be requisitioned and ordered through the purchasing department. Once the equipment is received and checked in by the life support department, assembly of the system will follow. Full assembly and testing is the desired goal for all aquarium systems sold by Living Color Enterprises. Once all of the components are packed, the components are then shipped to the jobsite for actual installation by the installation department.