Knowledge Base

DanioVision Temperature Control Unit in a Nutshell

Connecting the DanioVision System

• Connect the color-coded tubes to connectors with the same color on both the Temperature Control Unit and the Observation Chamber.
• Make sure that both the Drain tube in the DanioVision Temperature Control Unit (blue color code) and the Overflow tube in the DanioVision Observation Chamber (red color code) end in a sink or container.
• Connect the cable with cinch plugs on both ends to the temperature sensor connectors on both the Temperature Control Unit and the Observation Chamber.
• Optionally, connect the network cable to the TTL port on the DanioVision Temperature Control Unit and one of the TTL ports 1 to 4 on the Observation Chamber. This allows you to log "low" and "high" temperature alarm messages and use them in the Trial Control in EthoVision XT, for example to stop tracking when the temperature is too low.

Setting Up the Temperature Control Unit

Before you start using the system for the first time, we recommend first flushing the system. Fill and drain the system with demineralized or distilled water. To do this, first fill the system with water, then drain the system. See below for how to fill the system and the draining section for how to drain the system.

To set up the DanioVision Temperature Control Unit and the Observation Chamber:

1. Turn on the DanioVision Observation Chamber at least 15 minutes before you start EthoVision XT.
2. Locate the switch inside the chamber at the right of the camera, and set the anti-condensation mode to:
   • On when the room temperature is lower than the desired water temperature.
   • Off when the room temperature is higher than the desired water temperature.
3. On the DanioVision Temperature Control Unit, set the Operation switch to Fill/Drain and turn the Drain tap completely to Closed.
4. Slowly start pouring demineralized or distilled water into the basin of the Observation Chamber. If necessary, repeat this until the basin and all tubes are filled. The water level in the basin should be just below the indicated edge. Close the Observation Chamber when done.
5. To set the desired water temperature, set the Operation switch to On.
6. Hold the Set button for about 1 second; the display shows the set temperature.
7. Use the arrow keys to set the desired water temperature and press Set.
8. Wait until the set temperature has been reached. This takes on average 10 minutes. After that, the system turns to Ready.

Using the Temperature Control Unit

1. Insert a well plate into the basin. To prevent air getting trapped underneath the well plate, put the back of the well plate against the shaped wall and place it on the basin floor, then tilt the front of the well plate down to the floor. As you do this, water flows into the overflow part of the basin.
2. Lower the lens and close the DanioVision Observation Chamber.
3. Carry out an experiment as usual.

Draining the DanioVision System

After you have carried out an experiment, remove all the water from the system by draining it. This prevents contamination of the system. Before you drain the system, make sure that both the Drain tube in the DanioVision Temperature Control Unit (blue color code) and the Overflow tube in the DanioVision Observation Chamber (red color code) end in a sink or container.

1. Set the Operation switch to Fill/Drain and turn the Drain tap to Open.
2. When the basin is empty, turn the Drain tap to Closed to remove all remaining water from the tubes and let it flow into the basin.
3. Turn the Drain tap to Open again to completely drain the DanioVision Observation Chamber.

For More Information

For more extensive information on the Temperature Control Unit, see the Temperature Control Unit – DanioVision User Manual. For information on how to use the DanioVision system, see the DanioVision DVOC-0040 User Manual. You can download all documentation from www.noldus.com/downloads.

Source: DanioVision Temperature Control Unit in a Nutshell, Noldus Information Technology