Cawthron Institute – PC2 Research Facility

In early 2022 we completed the installation of several RAS systems for New Zealand’s largest aquatic PC2 facility at Cawthron Institute in Nelson, NZ.

These systems will be used for a variety of research applications relating to aquatic animal health. These systems will be used for finfish, shellfish and other aquatic species.

The facility includes:

Intake Water Filtration System including:

·      3 x 5000L Promax Liquid Management Solutions storage tanks
·      3 x GRUNDFOS Vertical Multistage Pumps with built in VFD’s
·      3 x Digital Flowmeters
·      1 x Waterco Limited WD700 Carbon Filter

9 x independent PC2 RAS systems each including:

·      1000 L Polymaster Group tank with dual drain and tank lid
·      FBD Swirl Separator
·      Custom-built FBD Filter sump with MBBR
·      Mag Drive Pump
·      Oasis Technologies Titanium Coil Heat Exchanger
·      Pentair Aquatic Eco-Systems, Inc 50W UV Steriliser
·      Reef Octopus Protein Skimmer
·      AST Bead Filter.

4 x  PC2 aquarium rack systems and 1 x PC1 Rack system designed for invertebrate research each including:

·      30 x 8L Zebrafish Tanks
·      316SS Rack
·      Custom-built FBD Filter sump with Bag filters and MBBR
·      Pentair Aquatic Eco-Systems, Inc 40W UV Steriliser
·      Oasis Titanium Coil Heat Exchanger
·      Waterco Limited Recirculation Pumps and Carbon Filters
·      Reef Octopus Protein Skimmer
·      OxyGuard International Monitoring and Control Systems

Centralised Temperature Control System

Water temperature in each of these systems is precisely controlled using a facility-wide hot and cold loop providing water to a heat exchanger at each system which is controlled using solenoids linked to the control systems. This system includes:

·      4 x Oasis SuperChill Inverter Heat Pumps
·      2 x GRUNDFOS Vertical Multistage Pumps
·      1 x Waterco Limited supply pump
·      4 x 1000L Promax Liquid Management Solutions buffer tanks

This is the 4th project we have completed for Cawthron Institute and we feel very fortunate to have worked with them again and providing aquaculture systems for key industry research.

“When Cawthron Institute set out to build New Zealand’s largest and most advanced PC2 aquatic facility, Fresh By Design were one of the first contractors we engaged with. We chose Fresh By Design as we have a great relationship with them after several large projects over the years, and they didn’t disappoint.

Faced with a highly unique and unusual task of designing a number of aquatic holding systems with individual temperature control, as well as an incoming water delivery system, to comply with strict PC2 rated legislation, Fresh By Design have delivered a set of fantastic solutions. We are absolutely thrilled with the outcome and we have already started aquatic research in the facility.”
–       Chris Ensor, Aquaculture Operations Manager, Cawthron Institute.