Air Pump:
For this project I wanted to build a system that didn’t have the algae in contact with any moving parts that could harm it. Most centrifugal pumps can damage the algae we want to grow. My solution was to let air bubbles do the work for me by simply letting the air bubbles float to the top of a spiraling tube.

Bulb Mounts :
TTo securely hold our bulb in its place we used these commercially available bulb mounts. These are usually in the same section of your home improvement center that the transformers are and cost no more than 4.00USD a set.

Check Valve:
The check valve we used in this project is very important. This simple little device prevents water from flowing back into the air pump when the system is powered down. For 2.00 its worth every cent!

Brass Fittings:
To get the air from our 1/8th inch air line to our ½ inch pipe we needed a secure way of connecting the two lines together. This barbed brass fitting was the perfect fit. The threads make a strong water tight connection to the large tube.

Plastic Tee:
The main pluming for this project is dependent on one of these inexpensive fittings by allowing a path the air from our pumps into the reactor.

More Fittings:
This 90 degree “L” Bend fitting provides both drain and inlet into our storage tank. We simply drilled a hole into the tank and threaded this into the hole for our fittings. Some silicone to insure water tight seal and were set.