Mercer Collector Sieves
Filtration Station
Mercer Collector Sieves
Designed out of a necessity for strong and sturdy aquaculture filtration options, our stackable sieves are crafted with durable PVC framing and laboratory-grade stainless steel mesh. Mercer Collector Sieves are available in 2", 3", 4", and 5" diameters as well as 53µ, 120µ, 250µ, and 850µ mesh sizes, and are FDA approved for food contact and marine environments. The rough exterior finish and glow-in-the-dark bands enhance usability, while the stackable design reduces effort and ensures efficient filtration. Keep in mind, that each sieve is handmade, so slight variations in height and staining or discolorations are normal, and in no way affect their functionality.
Our sieves are ideal for separating organisms such as Rotifers, Copepods, Amphipods, Daphnia, Ciliates, and Artemia. They are also useful for removing larger unwanted contaminants from culture media and rinsing frozen fish food while thawing.
Table of Contents
1. What Is A Sieve?
Welcome to the wonderful world of aquaculture, where we get to nurture and grow our very own aquatic ecosystems! One of the most exciting aspects of this journey is understanding and using the tools that make it all possible. Today, let’s dive into the magic of sieves and how they play an essential role in our aqua culturing adventures.
A sieve is a simple yet incredibly powerful tool that can make a world of difference in your aquaculture setup. Essentially, it's a mesh screen, designed to separate or filter particles of different sizes. Imagine a kitchen strainer, but with the capability to fine-tune it to the specific needs of your aquatic environment. Whether you're working with phytoplankton, small invertebrates, or fish larvae, a sieve helps you efficiently sort and manage your cultures.
Now, let's talk about the essential role sieves play in aquaculture. There are many different levels of aqua culturing and you can use sieves at each level. If your main goal is cultivating organisms like phytoplankton, size differentiation is crucial. Sieves allow you to separate different stages of growth, ensuring that each group gets the appropriate care and resources they need to thrive. This precise sorting also helps prevent overcrowding and competition, fostering a healthier and more productive environment for your aquatic friends. If your path includes feeding other organisms, separating different sized food particles might be how you use your sieve.
But that's not all! Sieves are also fantastic for troubleshooting common challenges in aquaculture. For instance, if you're noticing an imbalance in your cultures, sieves can help you identify and isolate specific issues, allowing you to address them directly. Moreover, they make the harvesting process more efficient by enabling you to collect and concentrate your cultures without damaging delicate organisms.
So, whether you're a seasoned aquatic enthusiast or just beginning your journey, embracing the use of sieves can elevate your aquaculture experience. They empower you to maintain a balanced, thriving ecosystem, making every step of the process rewarding and fulfilling. Remember, you're not alone on this journey – we're all part of a vibrant community of ecosystem caretakers, learning and growing together. So grab your sieve, and let's make some waves in the world of aquaculture!
2. How to use a sieve
The general process is the same regardless of the quantity of sieves in your stack or the micron size. Liquid culture goes in one end, the mesh screen catches anything smaller than the micron size of that mesh, and the culture (less the substrate caught on the mesh) comes through the other end.
If you have a stackable set, it is best to arrange them with the largest micron size (largest holes) on top and the smallest at the bottom. This arrangement ensures efficient filtering, capturing larger particles first and allowing finer particles to be collected in the lower sieves. Think of it as a staged filtration process that maximizes the purity of your culture.
Start by pouring your culture mixture into the top sieve. Here's a golden tip: pour steadily. Time spent against the mesh screen can negatively affect some desired filtrates, so pouring fast enough to avoid that affect is ideal. Although, pouring too quickly, can overload your sieve and reduce its effectiveness, or damage any desired and delicate filtrate. Striking this balance will make the process smoother and more efficient. Remember, patience is key. If you're filtering out larger debris, you may need to pause and clean your sieve before continuing. Keeping your sieve clean during the process ensures optimal performance and prevents cross-contamination.
3. Sieve Maintenance
First things first, some warnings: NOT MIRCOWAVE OR DISHWASHER SAFE!
Phew, now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, to keep our sieves in tip-top shape, it's essential to clean and dry our sieves before and after each use. We use hot water and vinegar and it works great!
Another quick tip regarding the smaller mesh sizes. They are incredibly fragile and require a gentle touch. When handling these sieves, always be cautious to avoid tearing the mesh. If you do encounter a tear, don't worry! It's all part of the learning process. Take it as an opportunity to refine your technique and grow as an aquatic caretaker. Reach out to us and we’ll see what we can do to get you back on track.
Please note, that we do not use glue when placing our screens. In testing, we could not find a way to do it without having the glue migrate to a surface that would come in contact with your culture, and we did not want that. While the sieves are not likely to come part, some sizes can be pulled apart with some extra effort. If for some reason your screen does come loose, there may be a way to set it back in place. Again, reach out to us for some tips.
4. FAQS
Have more questions? See if other do too and check out our FAQ page here.
sieves
