UQAR – Eight Independent Flumes

UQAR – Eight Independent Flumes

Institution:	Université du Québec à Rimouski
Location:	Rimouski, Québec, CANADA
Contact:	Dr Simon Lamarre
Habitat:	Saltwater
Type of rearing unit:	EIGHT FLUMES OPERATING IN CLOSED CIRCUIT WITH INDEPENDENT TEMPERATURE AND WATER VELOCITY CONTROL
Unit description:	Cast ½” acrylic channel of 7.2 litres (60 cm L x 15 cm l x 12 cm h) with polystyrene isolation ; Biofiltration media positively charged with high affinity for attracting gram-ve bacteria such as nitrifyers. Biofilter self-cleaning and pre-activated with freshwater nitrifying bacteria; Water current within flume is driven by one variable speed electric drive motor with speed controller; Water speed: 0.5 to 2 cm/s; Thermoelectric modules control the temperature from 25°C to 1°C (+0.3°C);
Mandate:	Conception Fabrication

• UQAR – Eight Independent Flumes

• Eight swimming channels are grouped in pairs, each operating independently of each other and having their own water recirculation system with Bio-Filtration (REBF).
• REBF units recycle water up to 99.9% of the flow. However, at low temperatures, the only makeup water allowed will be to compensate for evaporation (recirculation greater than 99.9%);
• The physical / biological filtration system is composed (for each pair of channels):
  – a pump,
  – a foam filter,
  – a submerged biofilter.
• The thermal control is composed (for each pair of channels):
  – two thermoelectric modules,
  – a thermal probe,
  – a control box (Enviro-monitron).
  – For all channels, there is a glycol cooling system.
• The control of the velocity of the water is composed (for each of the channels):
  – a 12VDC motor with a propeller,
  – an optical sensor checking the operating frequency of the motor,
  – a control box (Enviro-monitron).
  – a grid set to linearize the current.
• In order to optimize the working space, the channels are arranged on a working level (61 cm wide x 183 cm long x 89 cm high). This two level shelf is entirely made of fiberglass and plastic. The upper tier supports swim channels, while the lower tier supports biological filtration systems and the cooling system;