Louisiana State University – Tide Simulator

Louisiana State University – Tide Simulator

Institution:
Location:	Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
Contact:	Dr. Tracy Quirk
Equipment:	TIDAL CONTROL SYSTEM
	This instrument allows the adjustment of all the characteristics of natural tides: low water, high water, the duration of flood or ebb, and more. With its wide range of water temperature (2-30°C ± 0.3°C), it is designed to accommodate burrowing and non-burrowing animals. Up to 10 cm (4″) of sediments can be added.
Habitats:	Fresh water, Seawater ;
Temperature:
Description:	Louisiana State University – Tide Simulator This tide control system is custom-designed to generate tide cycles within a 63 pi3 tank. A custom-built level sensor will be located within a pipe, protected from large particles by a screen. Contrary to a pressure sensor, this hydrostatic sensor rules out the risk of having its port blocked by sediments. A VDC pump will be provided for the transfer water from the tidal chamber to the storage tank, creating a sinusoidal flux, as it occurs in the field. A similar pump will return water from the storage tank to the tidal chamber via a sinusoidal flux. Pumps will be linked to universal plumbing, and flexible tubing for linking tanks by client. A bench test will be set up to simulate client’s tidal chamber. The pumps, power supplies, level sensor, and Tide Monitron will be assembled and tested for planned operating specifications. Pumps will be calibrated to the required flow (at least 4 hour tides) during that phase and fastened to a 2’x2’ board before delivery to ease installation. The client should be able to install and commission the system on his own.
Water recirculation level:
Work done:	Conception Fabrication

Louisiana State University –  Tide Simulator

The University will locate plants in pots suspended in the tank (called Tidal chamber) at an appropriate depth and the water level in the tank will ebb and flow.  Each Tidal chamber is controlled independently and link to a storage tank, also provided by the University.

This tide control system is custom-designed to generate tide cycles within a 63 pi3 tidal chamber.  A custom-built level sensor will be located within a pipe, protected from large particles by a screen.   Contrary to a pressure sensor, this hydrostatic sensor rules out the risk of having its port blocked by sediments.

A 24 VDC magnetic drive pump will be provided for the transfer water from the tidal chamber to the storage tank, creating a sinusoidal flux, as it occurs in the field.  A similar pump will return water from the storage tank to the tidal chamber via a sinusoidal flux.

For a given experiment, the user must enter the following specifications in the Tide Monitron:

• Height of low water.
• Height of high water.
• Duration of flood or ebb (minimum of 4 hours).
• The number of consecutive tides.
• Depth of the benthic substrate if any (0-8 cm).
• Renewal rate of fresh seawater (0-100% of total water volume per day).