Water quality (O₂, pH, ammonia, temperature, etc.).
Equipment operation (pumps, filters, UV/O₃ dosing).
Fish health & feeding.
Energy efficiency.
These systems reduce labor, prevent disasters, and maximize productivity in commercial RAS
1. Core Components of an Intelligent RAS Control System
A. Sensors & Real-Time Monitoring
Parameter | Sensor Type | Why It Matters |
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) | Optical DO probe | Prevents fish suffocation |
pH | Glass-electrode pH sensor | Critical for biofilter health |
Ammonia (NH₃/NH₄⁺) | Ion-selective electrode | Detects biofilter failure |
Temperature | PT100/thermocouple | Affects O₂, metabolism, and bacteria |
ORP (Oxidation-Reduction Potential) | Redox probe | Controls ozone/chlorine dosing |
Turbidity/TSS | Optical backscatter | Monifies filter performance |
CO₂ | NDIR sensor | High CO₂ suffocates fish |
B. Automated Equipment Control
Variable-speed pumps (adjust flow based on demand).
Smart valves (regulate water exchange, backwashing).
O₂/ozone injectors (AI adjusts dosing based on sensor data).
Auto-feeders (computer vision or acoustic sensors optimize feeding).
C. Central AI Controller (Brain of the System)
Machine learning algorithms predict:
Ammonia spikes before they happen.
Optimal feeding times based on fish behavior.
Energy-saving schedules (e.g., running pumps at off-peak hours).
Cloud-based dashboards (remotely monitor RAS via phone/PC).
2. How Intelligent Control Works in RAS
Step 1: Data Collection
Sensors send real-time data (e.g., “DO = 4.2 mg/L”) to the central controller.
Step 2: AI Analysis
The system compares data to safe thresholds (e.g., “DO < 5 mg/L → risk”).
Uses historical trends to predict issues (e.g., “Ammonia will spike in 2 hours”).
Step 3: Automated Response
Example 1: Low DO → O₂ injector turns on + alarm sent to manager.
Example 2: High ammonia → Increase biofilter flow + reduce feeding.
Example 3: Fish not eating → Adjust feed type/schedule via auto-feeder.
Step 4: Reporting & Optimization
Generates daily reports on:
Water quality trends.
Equipment efficiency.
Feed conversion ratios (FCR).
3. Benefits of Intelligent RAS Control
✅ Prevents Fish Losses (e.g., stops O₂ crashes before they happen).
✅ Saves Energy (e.g., pumps run only when needed).
✅ Reduces Labor (no manual testing/equipment adjustments).
✅ Improves Feed Efficiency (AI optimizes feeding, reducing waste).
✅ Early Disease Detection (AI spots abnormal fish behavior).
4. Future Trends in RAS Automation
Blockchain traceability (track fish from egg to harvest).
Robotic harvesters (AI-guided grading/culling).
Predictive maintenance (AI detects pump failures before they happen).
Do You Need an Intelligent Control System?
For small RAS: Basic PLC + sensors.
For commercial RAS: Invest in AI-driven systems