Analysing water quality is an essential protocol for aquatic research centres, such as those for integrated multi-trophic aquaculture, aquaponics facilities, public aquariums, and conservation centres. At Luxaqua, we specialise in providing state-of-the-art water testing equipment as part of our fish tank monitoring solutions. In this post, we’ll delve into the essentials of water testing lab equipment and how Luxaqua’s expertise ensures your aquatic research facility operates at its best.
Essential water testing equipment
A water testing lab needs a comprehensive range of meters and kits to measure dissolved oxygen (DO), acidity (pH), redox potential (ORP), alkalinity, nitrites/nitrates, CO2 and eventually ozone levels. Controlling these parameters is essential for ensuring the health of aquatic life within controlled environments.
Lab testing equipment and meters
Aquatic research centres need a sampling laboratory with regular manual checks before getting to the most advanced automated solutions. Most water testing labs now use handheld and benchtop electronic meters. You’ll find below a list of typical equipment and meters to test different water quality parameters:
- WaterLink Spin Touch FX (8 parameters)
- BAMO handheld pH meter BWM 102
- OxyGuard handheld Redox meter H04RP
- Colorimetric test kits (nitrites, nitrates, or sulphites)
It’s important to note that all manual measurements need to be thoroughly recorded. While papers and spreadsheets can do the job, an information management system such as our fish colony software LXA_FishLab will help you with reliability. The parameters of each fish tank, each water loop, can be recorded and controlled later in a streamlined workflow.
Water sensors for automated quality monitoring
As part of its fish tank monitoring solutions, Luxaqua uses an array of sensors to analyse your facility’s parameters in real-time. We mainly use sensors and probes from brands such as Hach, OxyGuard, Bamo, Aqualabo, S+S Regeltechnik, C2AI & Fischer. Here are the usual sensors monitored by the systems we design and install:
- ORP / pH digital sensors: these immersion probes are typically installed inside buffer tanks or sumps.
- Dissolved oxygen (DO) digital sensors: these immersion probes are typically installed inside buffer tanks or sumps.
- Dissolved CO2 digital sensors: these immersion probes are typically installed inside buffer tanks or sumps.
- Water conductivity/salinity digital sensors: these immersion probes are typically installed inside buffer tanks or sumps.
- Total chlorine digital sensors: these immersion probes are typically installed inside buffer tanks or sumps.
- Water temperature sensors: these PT1000 or PT100 thermocouples are passive resistance thermometers, usually installed in titanium thermowells connected to the water pipes.
- Water temperature digital sensors: these immersion probes are typically installed inside buffer tanks or sumps. We usually add PT1000 thermocouples on the piping to double-check measurements.
- Paddle flow controllers: Besides flow indicators allowing direct on-site readings, these sensors are mounted on pipes and send an ON/OFF signal.
- Pressure transmitters: Equipped with a ceramic measuring cell, the electronic of these sensors can translate the pressure into a 4-20 mA or 0-10V signal. They are typically mounted on pipe.
- Float level controllers: These sensors send an ON/OFF signal. They are typically installed inside the sump reservoir at the desired water level.
- Optical or ultrasonic level sensors: Equipped with infrared or ultrasound cells, the electronic of these sensors can translate the water level into a 4-20 mA signal. They are typically mounted above the sump reservoir to accurately calculate the water’s height.
All sensors are wired to our centralised controller and managed by our fish tank monitoring software. LXA_DATATECH software allows you to log, display and analyse your facility’s real-time data.
Things to consider about testing water quality
Creating water testing capacities requires proper planning to integrate them seamlessly within your research facility. At Luxaqua, we consider workflow efficiency, space use and energy consumption to ensure your lab operates efficiently. But, of course, the point is to keep your fish healthy by maintaining their ideal water parameters.
Reliable contaminant identification
Accurate water chemistry measurements are critical in designing effective water treatment systems, especially when identifying the concentration of nitrites, nitrates, or chlorine. Don’t go for the cheapest option in terms of testers and instrumentation. To ensure precise measurements of critical parameters such as pH and ORP, here are reliable benchtop meter brands we recommend:
- Hach
- Aqualabo
- OxyGuard
Multiple capabilities and modularity
To avoid creating unnecessarily complicated systems or going overboard with your budget, investing in equipment and sensors which can do at least two things can be a game-changer in gaining efficiency on workflows and finances.
As part of our fish tank monitoring solutions, Luxaqua’s software LXA_datatech can be programmed to use sensors’ information in multiple ways. Thanks to our solutions, as your research protocols evolve, so can your fish tank monitoring system.
Luxaqua is more than an equipment provider – we’re your partner in ensuring your aquatic research facility’s success. Our expertise in aquatic life support systems, along with our consulting services from design to commissioning, helps you build an aquatic lab that meets the highest standards of accuracy and reliability. For more information on our water testing solutions, contact us today.