Insights & Science

The ADEC Journal

Science-based articles on recirculating aquaculture systems and aquarium life support engineering, written by the ADEC team.

Biofouling Control in Marine Life Support Systems

Aquarium LSS

22 August 2026

Biofouling Control in Marine Life Support Systems

The science of biofouling inside marine aquarium LSS pipework and heat exchangers — how biofilms form, why they threaten flow and heat transfer, and the control strategies research supports.

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RO/DI Water Treatment for Marine Aquariums Explained

Aquarium LSS

11 August 2026

RO/DI Water Treatment for Marine Aquariums Explained

Why source water quality matters before it ever reaches a marine aquarium — the science of reverse osmosis and deionization and what they remove that tap water leaves behind.

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Aquarium Lighting Science: Spectrum, PAR and Photosynthesis

Aquarium LSS

4 August 2026

Aquarium Lighting Science: Spectrum, PAR and Photosynthesis

The peer-reviewed science of coral photosynthesis — how light spectrum and PAR intensity drive zooxanthellae activity, and why aquarium lighting is a biological system, not just illumination.

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Protein Skimming Explained: The Chemistry Behind It

Aquarium LSS

17 July 2026

Protein Skimming Explained: The Chemistry Behind It

The science of foam fractionation — how protein skimmers remove dissolved organic compounds from marine aquarium water before biological filtration ever has to process them.

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Designing a Life Support System: Turnover and Redundancy

Aquarium LSS

12 July 2026

Designing a Life Support System: Turnover and Redundancy

How LSS engineers determine turnover rate, redundancy and sizing for public aquarium exhibits — treating design choices as life-safety decisions for the collection.

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Aquarium LSS

7 July 2026

UV vs. Ozone Disinfection in Aquarium LSS: A Comparison

A science-based comparison of UV sterilization and ozone disinfection for aquarium life support systems — mechanisms, effectiveness, and the trade-offs behind each technology.

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Quarantine and Biosecurity Systems for Public Aquariums

Aquarium LSS

23 June 2026

Quarantine and Biosecurity Systems for Public Aquariums

How quarantine system design and biosecurity protocols protect public aquarium collections from disease outbreaks, grounded in veterinary and fisheries research.

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Biological Filtration in Public Aquariums: The Science

Aquarium LSS

15 June 2026

Biological Filtration in Public Aquariums: The Science

How nitrifying bacteria colonize aquarium biofilters, why media selection matters, and what peer-reviewed research reveals about the microbial communities keeping exhibits stable.

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What Is a Life Support System (LSS) in a Public Aquarium?

Aquarium LSS

13 June 2026

What Is a Life Support System (LSS) in a Public Aquarium?

The engineering behind every public aquarium exhibit — how life support systems combine mechanical, biological and chemical filtration to keep marine and freshwater collections alive.

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Drum and Mechanical Filtration in Large Aquarium Systems

Aquarium LSS

12 June 2026

Drum and Mechanical Filtration in Large Aquarium Systems

How drum filters and mechanical filtration remove suspended solids in large-scale aquarium life support systems, and the particle-size science behind sizing them correctly.

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Water Chemistry for Coral Reef Aquariums: The Science

Aquarium LSS

11 June 2026

Water Chemistry for Coral Reef Aquariums: The Science

The carbonate chemistry behind coral calcification — calcium, alkalinity and aragonite saturation — and why balancing them is essential for coral reef aquarium life support.

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