Welcome to Ajinomatrix BioSphere Home Design Studio

Your first-time guide to unboxing, installing, and cycling your kit...

Welcome to the Ajinomatrix BioSphere Home Design Studio! You’re about to unbox a small, living world—gentle water, soft light, and a calm routine that fits beautifully into your home or classroom. Every kit is designed to be simple, safe, and satisfying: place it on a level surface, follow a few quick steps, and watch your ecosystem settle in. This guide will walk you from first switch-on to a healthy, ready-to-host environment. And if you ever need a hand, we’re just a message away. Enjoy the moment your BioSphere comes to life—one bubble, sprout, and ripple at a time.

TL;DR (10 steps)

1. Unbox + verify parts → 2) Choose a stable, level spot near power/light → 3) Assemble dry → 4) Leak test with tap water → 5) Place solar (optional) + set schedules → 6) Prep water (dechlorinate) → 7) Add substrate/hardscape/plants → 8) Seed beneficial bacteria → 9) Cycle for 2–4 weeks (test weekly) → 10) Add life slowly.

   
   

Before delivery: get these ready

• Water treatment: dechlorinator (or aged water), and a bacteria starter (optional but helpful).

• Tests: simple ammonia / nitrite / nitrate test strips or drops.

• Plants/hardscape: hardy starter plants (e.g., Anubias, Java fern, mosses) and clean stones/wood.

• Power & safety: a socket with RCD/GFCI protection, drip loops for cables, and a towel/bucket nearby.

• (Optional) Solar: a bright window or balcony spot for the panel; a way to keep the panel face stable (no wobble).

  
  

What happens when you buy

• Order confirmation by email with your kit, lead time, and tracking.

• “What’s in the box” list + quick-start PDF link.

• Delivery arrives in one or more boxes (tank + accessories + solar may be separate).

• Support: you can reply to your confirmation email for help, photos, or quick questions.

  
  

Unboxing & parts check (5–10 min)

Lay everything out and compare with “What’s in the box.” Typical items:

• Tank or bowl, pump, tubing/fittings, LED/hood (model-dependent), power adapter or solar pack, and a quick-start card.If something’s missing/damaged, take photos and contact support before installing.

  
  

Placement & safety (5 min)

• Choose a level, rigid surface that can hold the weight of water (1 liter = 1 kg).

• Keep adapters off the floor and create drip loops on all cables (cable dips below the socket, then rises).

• Avoid direct blasting sun on the tank (algae) but give the solar panel good light if you’re using Solar/Full.

  
  

Dry assembly first (10–15 min)

• Route tubing with gentle curves; avoid tight kinks.

• Fit the pump, outlet, and any prefilters.

• Place LED/hood or backlight as instructed.

• If you have the IoT/Wi-Fi switch, plug the pump into it now (you can schedule later).

  
  

Leak test (20–30 min)

1. Fill the system ~80% with tap water.

2. Run the pump 5–10 minutes; check all joints.

3. Wipe any drips, re-seat tubing, and only then top up to the recommended level.

4. Drain if you want to re-arrange hardscape; otherwise proceed to water prep.

   
   

Power & solar setup (5–10 min)

• Base kits: plug directly to mains; keep a clean cable route.

• Solar kits: connect the panel → power bank/PSU → pump/LED. Place the panel by a bright window; angle toward the sun.

• Scheduling: start simple (e.g., pump 15 min ON / 45 min OFF during daytime). You can tighten later.

  
  

Water prep (5–10 min)

• Dechlorinate tap water (follow bottle dose) or use pre-aged water (24–48h standing).

• Aim for room-temperature water.

• If your kit has substrate, rinse as directed; for bowl displays (B1), rinse stones and plants gently.

  
  

Seeding & planting (15–30 min)

• Add a bacteria starter (optional but recommended) to jump-start the nitrogen cycle.

• Plant easy species early (they help stabilize water).

• Start the pump and confirm a calm, steady flow that reaches its intended height.

Cycling 101 (2–4 weeks)

Cycling grows beneficial bacteria that convert toxic ammonia → nitrite → nitrate. Until this is mature, don’t add fish/shrimp.

• Week 1: run the system with plants and pump schedule. Test ammonia and nitrite at the end of the week.

• Week 2–3: keep testing weekly. You’ll see ammonia drop, then nitrite rise and fall.

• When is it cycled? Ammonia 0 ppm, Nitrite 0 ppm, Nitrate present (>0).

• AquapoNano tip: a micro-pinch of fish food every few days (or a pure ammonia source) feeds the bacteria. Don’t overdo it.

• Water change: if ammonia or nitrite spike, change 20–30% of water (treated) and resume.

• Solar users: ensure the panel gets daily light; consider a slightly longer pump OFF duty cycle while cycling to save energy.

  
  

Adding life (slow & gentle)

• Start with snails or hardy shrimp (if planned), then a small number of nano fish after the cycle.

• Add livestock in small batches 1–2 weeks apart; test after each addition.

• Feed sparingly—overfeeding is the #1 cause of issues in new systems.

  
  

Kit-specific notes

• B1 Bowl (BioArt): display for plants/hardscape and gentle water motion. Not recommended for fish. No nitrogen cycle needed if there’s no livestock; still keep water clean and change small amounts weekly.

• S1 Aquarium: all-in-one freshwater kit. Cycle fully before adding fish/shrimp. Keep the hood vents clear, and check the filter media monthly.

• AquaPoNano: aquaponic micro-ecosystem. Plants are your friends—plant early and keep the flow intermittent. Cycle as above before livestock.

• Shrooly (mushroom pod): not aquatic. Wipe down, add water to the tray, insert the block per instructions, and run the climate program. No nitrogen cycling; do not place near direct sun or above radiators.

  
  

Routine care (simple schedule)

• Daily, 30 seconds: quick look—flow OK, no leaks, fish/shrimp behaving normally, LEDs on/off as expected.

• Weekly, 10–15 min: wipe glass, prune plants, clean prefilter, top up evaporated water with treated water, test strips if new.

• Monthly, 20–30 min: clean pump impeller, inspect tubing, refresh any carbon/media (S1), verify solar connections.

  
  

Troubleshooting quick wins

• Cloudy water (new tank): normal in Week 1–2; reduce feeding; partial water change.

• Algae bloom: too much light → shorten photo period, move away from direct sun, add fast-growing plants.

• Pump noise/vibration: ensure it’s fully submerged and not touching glass; add a soft pad under the pump.

• Low solar charge: move panel, clean the surface, consider slight duty-cycle increase or an additional panel/power bank.

  
  

For schools & classrooms

• Assign roles (Water Captain, Test Lead, Plant Keeper).

• Post a weekly checklist near the kit; have students log tests (ammonia/nitrite/nitrate).

• Use the cycle as a living lab on ecosystems, energy budgets, and design.

• Ensure adult supervision when handling electricity/water; keep adapters high and dry.

  
  
  
  
  
  

When to contact support

• You see persistent ammonia/nitrite above 0.5 ppm after Week 4.

• Repeated pump failure, leaks, or electrical concerns.

• Replacement parts (pumps, tubing, LEDs) or solar expansion advice.