navy rule
 
navy rule
 

Mesocosm Home

Biota

Cycles

Build It

Run It

Lessons

Terms

More Info

 

Return to Munin Home

Copyright ©2000-06
P.D. Schreuders
 

Circulation

In a sealed tank, oxygen is limited. When oxygen is limited and the water is stagnant, the water turns turbid and an odiferous smell may be produced as a result of decay. There are three easy ways to prevent the water in the tank from stagnation. These are easy to build magnetic propellers: scooper, horizontal windmill, and the paddle.

Scooper      Horizontal Windmill      Paddle

The Scooper Propelling System

The Scooper is an effective propelling system that can add oxygen and circulate the water. There are four modified tablespoons that has two big magnets attached on each side. The bottom of the tablespoons were cut out and replaced with nylon meshes. The two rectangular magnets were placed on a plastic axle and were attached to the propellers. Another plastic axle with two circular magnets was connected to a motor that sat on the stand. The motor with a stand was placed against the glass of the tank. The motor was hooked to a voltage transformer (plug).The transformer provides power to the motor.

The Horizontal Windmill System

The "Horizontal Windmill" system is placed on the top of the tank. This purpose of this propeller is to circulate the water. It causes ripples in the water when it rotates. A motor rotates the outer, circular unit that has 4 small magnets. A windmill-like propeller is inserted horizontally into the tank. This propeller was made from aluminum.

The Paddle Propelling System

The "Paddle" system can be easily manufactured. Two plastic, paddles were attached with a magnet in the center. The paddle system was placed in the tank. The stand with the motor system sits on the outside of the tank. A circular magnet is placed on the big gear (green), which is attached to the motor. Batteries power the motor. To avoid the use of batteries, a voltage transformer can be used.

navy rule