Beside a software based development laboratory where I develop software I also have an ecology laboratory that I build at home. The laboratory consists of a climate chamber and a cultivation area for the cultivation of bacteria, plankton, algae and plants. An other important part are dedicated tools for the analysis of water and other components of aquatic systems.
My climate chamber is used to create a controlled environment for aquatic ecosystems such as the Autonomous Biological System. But with a volume of 380 liters there is always room for extra jars and bottles to test something new. The climate chamber is fitted with an internal heating and cooling system that is PLC controlled and a specialized lighting system that stimulates photosynthesis. Various sensors connected to a laptop running R for Statistical Computing monitor and log data measured inside the systems and the controlled environment surrounding the systems. All data is logged en visualized in real-time. Graphs displayed at the laptop's monitor display the current and past situation.
My two most used and most important tools are a multi parameter photometer and a microscope. I use my microscope to make micro organism visible such as algae and bacteria. A microscope is useful to determine algae and bacteria species or to test if a specific organism is present. I use a photometer for the analysis of the water chemistry and test for various nitrogen compounds and other nutrients. I also measure other parameters that are also used in agriculture, environmental studies but also by aquarium hobbyists such as TDS and Ph. Both parameters don't tell something about a specific substance, it can however, be used as an indicator for the overall water quality.
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