Neptune Systems Acquires Rights to Alkalinity Monitoring Invention
28 Oct, 2016
This APEX plotting of alkalinity shows the measurements coming in from two prototype alkalinity monitoring units running on the same sample. Note the DKH range of the plots. With today’s announcement of a deal between inventor Jim Welsh and Neptune Systems, the aquarium world moves one step closer to alkalinity automation.
Neptune Systems acquires rights to automated alkalinity monitoring invention in their quest for the holy grail of reef keeping
Morgan Hill, October 28, 2016—For a number of years, Neptune Systems sought to crack the code and provide their customers with a device capable of regular, automated alkalinity monitoring for marine aquariums. With this announcement, Neptune Systems believes that they are finally on the right track with an acquisition of the patent pending technology and methods from inventor Jim Welsh of Angwin, CA.
Importance of Alkalinity
Terence Fugazzi, VP Sales & Marketing, Neptune Systems
For marine aquarium enthusiasts, and specifically those who keep living reefs, the monitoring aquarium of alkalinity is arguably the most important thing after salinity and temperature. Without proper and stable alkalinity, corals and other invertebrates will neither thrive nor grow. Until now, measuring alkalinity required breaking out a test kit, counting drops, watching colors change, and looking up numbers on a chart. This level of inconvenience meant that for most hobbyists, frequency of testing was at best twice a week. While this may not seem to be an obvious problem, in fact, alkalinity can fluctuate dramatically in a matter of hours, not days. Improving that frequency of alkalinity testing to twice a day would change not just the understanding of what the aquarium needs, but enable more refined adjustment of the aquarium, using alkalinity supplementation methods such as auto-dosing or a calcium reactor. “By far the most asked question we get from our customers is ‘when will my Apex be able to measure alkalinity'”, said Terence Fugazzi, Neptune Systems Vice President of sales and marketing.
Enter Jim Welsh
As an avid reef keeper, Jim had for years contemplated how to do ongoing alkalinity measurement of his aquarium. In early 2016, Jim set himself a goal—he would build an alkalinity monitoring device and bring it to MACNA (Marine Aquarium Conference of North America) that same year. Jim has an extensive background in information technology and software development. As is often the case with inventors, Jim found himself having to expand his base of knowledge along the way. He succeeded in building the device, and, after much testing and refinement, he put it into the hands of Richard Ross (Senior Biologist, Steinhart Aquarium and MASNA Aquarist of the Year 2014) to test on his 300-gallon reef aquarium. Rich recently had this to say about his experience with Jim’s invention: “This thing is dreamy. In reef keeping, the benefits of continually monitoring alkalinity are obvious and important, but honestly we don’t yet even know how great this could be. It opens so many doors for so much automation and stability. I have run this prototype for a couple months and I’m blown away at its ease of use, not to mention its accuracy and precision. No you can’t have it back!”
The prototype Alkalinity Monitor out for testing at the “secret home lab” – image courtesy Richard Ross
MACNA
Jim finished his project on time and made the trek to MACNA. Through private meetings, public demonstrations, and filmed interviews, he showed that the device provided reliable, accurate and precise alkalinity measurements of marine aquarium water. News of the device was the buzz of the event.
Marc Levenson of Melev’s Reef interviews Jim Welsh (right) about the Alkalinity Monitor invention at MACNA 2016. Watch the video here.
Jim Welsh, Neptune Systems and the path forward
After MACNA, Jim and Neptune Systems came to an agreement; Neptune Systems obtained the exclusive rights to develop, build, and market an automated alkalinity monitoring solution based on Jim’s invention. Terms of the agreement will not be disclosed. Jim will also work closely with Neptune Systems as a private consultant to assist in moving the project forward. At this point there is no official product being announced related to this technology acquisition. When/if a related product is put onto the product roadmap, Neptune Systems may provide additional insight at that time.
Apex Fusion graphing of alkalinity levels, something many aquarists will be eager to see become a reality. Courtesy Neptune Systems
Founded in 1996 in San Jose, CA, Neptune Systems is the market-leader in aquarium monitoring and automation. Its Apex AquaController® monitoring and control system, combined with the Apex Fusion cloud-based interface, keeps tens of thousands of aquariums running safely worldwide. In recent years, Neptune Systems has branched out into providing other key aquarium components such as dosing systems and water moving pumps that tightly integrate into its Apex ecosystem. For more information go to www.neptunesystems.com or email pr@neptunesystems.com.
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About the author
Reef To Rainforest
Reef to Rainforest Media, LLC is the publisher of award-winning magazines and books in the fields of aquarium keeping, aquatics, and marine science. It is the English-language publisher of CORAL Magazine and is based in Shelburne, Vermont, USA.
