Flume systems



Artificial River

Pre-assembled, calibrated and tested at our factory, this river is quick to install and allows you to start your test without delay and with confidence.
Operating within a wide range of water velocities, it can be used for burrowing organisms as well as for fish. In this case, sand-filled plugs are installed on the unit floor to accommodate them.



Figure 1: Artificial River, 16 ft long chanel



General Specifications

  • Channel is made of acrylic with the following dimensions: 50 cm (20’’) deep, 50 cm (20’’) wide, 488 cm (16’) long ;

  • The water current is driven by a variable speed electric motor (1HP), shaft and propeller. Water returns through a 12”pipe.

  • Honeycomb cores (¼" diameter cells) eliminate turbulent flow at the inlet, and prevent fish from escaping the experimental area at the outlet. An assembly of anti-vortex plates enhances the symmetry of the flow within the channel.

  • The mean water velocity (centre/centre) is manually adjusted from 5 to 50 cm/s through a digital speed controller.

  • The velocity calibration curves are done with an Acoustic Droppler Velocimeter (ADV) Probe.

  • This river operates as a standard open circuit. Simply connect the water inlet. The effluent flows through the overflow pipe already in place.



Options

  • Adjustment of flume length to fit available space (8’, 16’, 24’, 32’)

  • Plastic cores can be inserted on the floor of the flume for studies on benthic fauna.

  • Semi-open operation for water chilling.
    A chiller assembly set on a plastic pallet can be added. It includes a glycol compressor with titanium heat exchanger, pump and piping. The pallet can be located away from the flume to eliminate noise and vibrations close to the animals.



Figure 2: Flume linked for Recirculation with Biofiltration System (REBF) for closed circuit operation



  • Closed system operation.
    For long-term rearing under controlled water temperature (25°C down to 10°C). This water filtration system is set on a plastic pallet and operates in parallel with own pump. Compact and easy to maintain this recirculation with biofiltration (REBF) system includes everything necessary to maintain water quality, regardless of their level of recirculation (90 to 99.9% of flow). The biological filter is pre-activated with active nitrifying bacteria (saves 4-6 weeks of maturation). Its holding capacity: up to 6 kg of fish and 60 g dry feed per day.

    Enviro-Monitron to measure and data log dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature. Can be linked to a Central Server for Internet access.


Option associated with closed system operation:

  • A precision pump that controls the % of make-up water (v/v) in the system via the Monitron.