Light and current generation system for measuring the behaviour of the Norway lobster

• The electronic system implemented allows the study of marine species chronobiology.
• The system consists of a custom electronic board, circulation pumps and LED lighting.
• The configurable water flow and light conditions recreate different sea bed scenarios.
• Wireless interfaces reduce cost and installation complexity in aquariums.
• The infrared lighting enables the study of species in the dark with cameras.

Patterns of how the Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus L.) emerges from its burrow in relation to sea currents at different times of the day–night cycles is currently unknown. The degree of influence of these variables when simulated in controlled laboratory conditions entails great technical and technological difficulties. This paper presents the development of an integrated control system that manages a set of aquariums generating water currents and patterns of light. The solution proposed combines the use of commercial equipment and a custom electronic design in order to achieve the required specifications with cost-minimization. The control system has circulation pumps and visible and infrared LED lighting to recreate different currents and light conditions. Preliminary results show the control system works properly and all components responded as expected during the experiments.