Construction of an Affordable and Easy-to-Build Zebrafish Facility

Summary

A Zebrafish facility suitable for breeding and in vivo research is built in an easy and affordable manner. Maintenance is minimal. This facility is ideal for student involvement and independent research.

Abstract

In vivo biomedical research is pivotal to translate in vitro findings into clinical advances. Small academic institutions with limited resources find it virtually impossible to build and maintain typical rodent facilities for research. Zebrafish research has been demonstrated to be a valuable alternative for in vivo research in pharmacology, physiology, development and genetic studies. This article demonstrates that a functional zebrafish facility can be built in an easy and affordable manner. We demonstrate that such a facility could be built in about one working day with minimal tools and expertise. The cost of the 27 1.8 L fish tank zebrafish facility constructed in this study was approximately $1,500. We estimate that the maintenance of an initial working 150 fish colony for 3 months is $1,000. This project involved students, who were introduced to aquaculturing of zebrafish for research proposes.

Introduction

In vivo models are essential in conducting comprehensive biomedical research since they allow in vitro research to be translated at the system and organismal level. For example, research with small mammals, namely rodents, has been proven necessary in the development of drugs and in the improvement of available drugs. However, the complexity (financially and logistically) might make it virtually impossible to build and maintain rodent facilities for experimentation proposes at small research academic institutions. Nonetheless, in vivo research can be performed using other animal species that require less elaborate logistics. Zebrafish (D....

Protocol

NOTE: These protocols follow the guidelines of IACUC of Presbyterian College.

1. Acquire Materials Listed in Table 1.

2. Assemble the 5 Shelf Chrome According to the Manufacturer’s Instructions. This will be used to House the Facility.

3. Construct the water reservoir and filtration system (Figures 1A and 2).

1. Using Figure 1A as a guide, layout the 18 gallon bucket, pump, filters and UV lamp to determine final installation location and size.
2. Once parts are laid out, measure and cut the ¾” PVC pipe to the length needed for assembly. Var....

Results

Construction of the Pump and Flters System
Once the rack is assembled and set up the first step is to build the pump and filter system. The filters are connected to the system pump and are located above the bottom level of the first shelf, which allows for easy filter maintenance and replacement. Similarly, the UV lamp is connected with PVC pipe to the filter and held in place with plastic wire ties to allow for easy replacement of the UV lamp as needed (Figure 4A). Immediately following the.......

Discussion

The main purpose of this article is to demonstrate that the construction of a functional zebrafish facility is not complicated and can be built by novice fish researchers with minimal construction knowledge. Furthermore, this article shows that the materials for this functional zebrafish facility can be acquired readily and affordably from local pet supply stores or hardware stores. Once all the materials and tools have been acquired the construction of the system and the fish tanks takes about one working day. The 72 hr.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Item	Brand	Quantity
74-in H x 48-in W x 18-in D 5-shelf Steel Freestanding Shelving Unit	Style Selections	1
18-Gallon General Bucket/Tote	Centrex Plastics: LLC Rugged Tote	1
6-Outlet Power Strip With 15-Ft. Cord	Master Electrician	1
9-Watt UV Water Garden Clarifier FiIter and UV lamp	Smartpond	1
Whole House Water Replacement Filter	Whirlpool	6
Opaque Whole-House Pre-Filtration Housing	Whirlpool	2
Thread Seal Tape	William H Harvey	1
8-fl oz LO-VOC PVC Cement	Oatey	1
8-fl oz LO-VOC Primer	Oatey	1
1/4-in x 100-ft Vinyl Drip Irrigation Distribution Tubing	Mister Landscaper	1
1/4-in Barbed Drip Irrigation On/Off Valve	Mister Landscaper	33
9-Port NPT Irrigation Manifold with Filter	Mister Landscaper	6
Drop-In Filter with House	Whirlpool	6
2-in Dia 90-Degree PVC Elbow	LASCO	3
2-in Dia 90-Degree Tee	LASCO	3
3/4-in Dia 90-Degree Slip Elbow	LASCO	15
3/4-in Dia PVC Adapter	LASCO	7
3/4-in Dia PVC Tee	LASCO	12
2-in Dia PVC Cap	LASCO	3
1-in Dia x 3/4-in Dia PVC Adapter	LASCO	2
3/4-in PVC Socket In-Line Ball Valve	American Valve	5
1/2-in Dia x 3/4-in Dia PVC Adapter	Lasco	8
3/4-in Dia PVC Cap	Lasco	1
2-In x 5-Ft Pvc Pipe	Charlotte Pipe	4
¾-In x 10-Ft Pvc pipe	Charlotte Pipe	3
11/16x1-7/80 PVC ring	SXT	10
½” PVC male adapter	SXT	1
¾” PVC coupling	SXT	1
½” PVC female adapter	SXT	1
link
1.8 L Dual Beta Keeper	Top Fin	27
¾” PVC male adapter (w/ #18 O-ring)	SXT	28
90-degree ¾” threaded PVC elbow	SXT	27
Fine Mesh	N/A	1 yard
Bulkhead Connector	N/A	1
Hacksaw	N/A	1
Drill	N/A	1
Hole saw	N/A	1
Adjustable Wrench	N/A	1
Pliers	N/A	1
Tape Measure	N/A	1
Safety Glasses	N/A	1
Work Gloves	N/A	1