In early 2022 Fresh By Design completed the installation of several RAS systems for New Zealand’s largest aquatic PC2 facility at Cawthron Institute in Nelson. The systems are used for a variety of research applications relating to aquatic animal health, across finfish, shellfish and other aquatic species. The facility includes an intake water filtration system, nine independent PC2 RAS systems, four PC2 aquarium rack systems and one PC1 rack system designed for invertebrate research, and a centralised temperature control system. Water temperature in each system is precisely controlled using a facility-wide hot and cold loop providing water to a heat exchanger at each system, controlled using solenoids linked to the control systems. This is the fourth project Fresh By Design has completed for Cawthron Institute.
Cawthron needed a number of aquatic holding systems with individual temperature control, plus an incoming water delivery system, all complying with strict PC2 rated legislation – described by the client as a highly unique and unusual task.
Intake water filtration system with 3 x 5000 L Promax storage tanks, 3 x GRUNDFOS vertical multistage pumps with built-in VFDs, 3 x digital flowmeters and a Waterco WD700 carbon filter. 9 x independent PC2 RAS systems, each with a 1000 L Polymaster tank with dual drain and lid, FBD Swirl Separator, MBBR, mag drive pump, Oasis Technologies titanium coil heat exchanger, Pentair 50 W UV steriliser, Reef Octopus protein skimmer and AST bead filter. 4 x PC2 aquarium rack systems and 1 x PC1 rack for invertebrate research, each with 30 x 8 L zebrafish tanks on a 316SS rack, custom-built FBD Filter sump with bag filters and MBBR, Pentair 40 W UV steriliser, Oasis titanium coil heat exchanger, Waterco recirculation pumps and carbon filters, Reef Octopus protein skimmer and OxyGuard monitoring and control. Centralised temperature control via a facility-wide hot and cold loop with 4 x Oasis SuperChill inverter heat pumps, 2 x GRUNDFOS vertical multistage pumps, 1 x Waterco supply pump and 4 x 1000 L Promax buffer tanks, with solenoid control at each system’s heat exchanger.
New Zealand’s largest and most advanced PC2 aquatic facility was delivered and aquatic research had already commenced in the facility, with the client reporting they were thrilled with the outcome.
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.
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.