looking for some input on my pelagic egg collector design.

[Twitchy]

As I get closer to setting up a broodstock system, I wanted to make sure egg collection was built into the design. After researching various designs out there, from simple floating collectors to complex upwelling setups, I decided to design something that would work well with a standard overflow, and not require constant cleaning of nets and screens. I feel a Herbie style setup would work for the overflow portion, as I'm not concerned about noise. The full siphon does the heavy lifting, and the upper pipe can gently skim off the floating eggs into my collector. Final design may have a set of emergency drains added for potential clogs. What do you guys think?

 

[Pete Luna]

Egg separation is where you hatch?

 

[Twitchy]

Egg separation is where you hatch?

The eggs would be removed for hatching.

 

[Pete Luna]

So the tank the brood stock overflows into is fo?

 

[ichthyogeek]

I like it! I do worry about the drop from the tank into the weir though. There's a lot of potential for eggs to get sucked into the sump via turbulence.

I'm also not that big a fan of the 90 degree elbows. I worry about the eggs hitting the elbows and getting overly damaged. Are you averse to using 45 degree elbows instead?

I really, really like how you've incorporated the need for eggs to float into the egg collection tank! Being pushed up towards the surface of the water sounds like a lot less bruising on the eggs.

Do you plan to collect the eggs out from the collector? Or are you going to use the herbie egg collection tank for larval rearing?

Here's an interesting video on a dual overflow. Maybe you can incorporate this into the overflow for the egg separator so that the chances of eggs getting sucked into the sump is lessened?

 

[Twitchy]

I like it! I do worry about the drop from the tank into the weir though. There's a lot of potential for eggs to get sucked into the sump via turbulence.

I'm also not that big a fan of the 90 degree elbows. I worry about the eggs hitting the elbows and getting overly damaged. Are you averse to using 45 degree elbows instead?

I really, really like how you've incorporated the need for eggs to float into the egg collection tank! Being pushed up towards the surface of the water sounds like a lot less bruising on the eggs.

Do you plan to collect the eggs out from the collector? Or are you going to use the herbie egg collection tank for larval rearing?

Here's an interesting video on a dual overflow. Maybe you can incorporate this into the overflow for the egg separator so that the chances of eggs getting sucked into the sump is lessened?

I hope turbulence can be minimized by keeping the upper pipe within a couple of inches of the tanks water level, and keeping the lower drain low.

Hmmmm... good point about the 90s, maybe I should plan to use flexible PVC to keep the trip to the separator as smooth and gentle as possible.

Currently the plan is to rear the larvae in a separate system. Eventually I hope to integrate the larval rearing system into my display system. this would allow extensive biological filtration, consistent water quality, and the uneaten nauplii would provide a food source for my other fish and corals.

Interesting video, I could extend the cover pipe down close to the bottom, this would help to clean the bottom of sinking debris, and further help to keep good eggs out of the sump.