Fish ponds usually run short of oxygen at night, when no one is watching. Using three short clips from one night, this article shows how paddlewheel aerators, a dissolved oxygen sensor, a power meter and remote monitoring work together as one system: when oxygen drops, the aerators start on their own and you are notified at home.
All three clips are illustrative. They show how the system handles problems during the night. The night’s dissolved oxygen, water temperature and power readings are all kept in the built-in log and can be exported.
Someone has to take measurements at the pond in the dark, so the only option is to keep the aerators running all night.
RIO detects that dissolved oxygen has fallen below the set threshold and switches on the contactors, so the aerators run and oxygen recovers. An email notification goes out at the same time.
Without a monitoring system, the only way to check oxygen and the aerators is to go out to the pond, even at night.
The control logic runs on RIO and does not depend on the network, so the aerators keep running. Oxygen and power readings are still written to the CGate log and are sent once the network is back.
It is only discovered on the morning pond check, by which time oxygen has already fallen too low.
CGate reads the Modbus power meter. When an aerator that should be running draws no current, an alert goes out immediately.
Behind that night is a single system: the dissolved oxygen sensor sends two 4~20mA signals (oxygen and water temperature) to RIO, which controls the aerators on site; the power meter connects to CGate for power logging; and CGate forwards data and alerts to a computer.
RIO Expandable I/O Module Controller
AI inputs read the DO sensor and a relay module drives the contactor coils; a built-in DDC program switches the aerators by the oxygen threshold on site
The system needs power too, so during an outage a generator with an automatic transfer switch (ATS) has to supply it. Once power returns, RIO resumes control according to its settings.
It keeps logging water temperature and can send a low-temperature alert, giving you early notice. Cold-protection measures still need to be prepared in advance.
The sensor needs regular cleaning and calibration, which the system cannot do for you. When a reading looks wrong, someone still has to check it.
Yes. The power panel keeps its manual/auto selector switch, so manual operation works as before, even if the system has a problem.
Yes. On-site control does not need a network: RIO keeps switching the aerators by oxygen level and CGate keeps logging. For remote viewing and alerts, add the 4G option.
The number of aerators, voltage and phase, alarm conditions, notification methods (such as LINE) and control logic can all be tailored to your site. Tell us about your pond and power panel, and our sales team will help you plan the setup.
