System for growing aquatic organisms

Claim 1

A controlled, compatible, staged continuous-batch system for growing and producing algae in an aquatic media, comprising: a plurality of growing containers in series arranged in a exponential progression of container volumes, such that each container in the series is a fixed volume ratio larger than each preceding container, each container being at least 30 percent larger than the preceding container; conduit means connecting said growing containers, such that a fixed percentage of the total container volume may be transferred from smaller container to larger container in the series; means to transfer said aquatic media from container to container through said conduit means; a source of nutrient for the algae; and a source of water having chemical and physical properties suitable for the growth of said algae; whereby, when the concentration of the algae in a first container reaches 106 to 107 cells/cm3 a portion of aquatic media containing said algae is transferred to the next larger container in thE series wherein the algae concentration again reaches said level, after which a fixed volume of algaecontaining aquatic media is transferred to the next largest container and so forth until the last container in the series wherein the algae may be removed for its intended use.

Claim 4

A method for growing C. nana algae in an aquatic medium to maturity and to a concentration suitable for feeding oysters, comprising continuously transferring said auqatic medium containing said algae at a concentration of 106 to 107 cells/cm.3 from a growing container to a next larger growing container of a series of containers arranged in an exponential volume progression with each container being at least 30 percent larger than the preceding container, and diluting said medium by addition thereto of further aquatic medium and nutrient while illuminating at about 200 lumens per gallon, maintaining the temperature within the range of 18* to 25* and aerating the medium at a rate of approximately 1 cubic foot of air per hour per gallon of medium; and removing said medium and algae at said concentration from the final one of said growing containers to an oyster feeding area.

Claim 5

A method for growing C. nana algae in an aquatic medium to maturity and to a concentration suitable for feeding oysters, comprising continuously transferring said auqatic medium containing said algae at a concentration of 106 to 107 cells/cm.3 from a growing container to a next larger growing container of a series of containers arranged in an exponential volume progression with each container being at least 30 percent larger than the preceding container, and diluting said medium by addition thereto of further aquatic medium and nutrient while illuminating at about 200 lumens per gallon, maintaining the temperature within the range of 18* to 25* and aerating the medium at a rate of approximately 1 cubic foot of air per hour per gallon of medium; and removing said medium and algae at said concentration from the final one of said growing containers to an oyster feeding area.