Franklin Park Zoo African Penguin Coast UV Sterilization System

Public zoo and aquarium exhibits place demanding requirements on aquatic life support equipment. Systems must maintain dependable water quality for animal health while also supporting clear viewing conditions, reliable operation, and straightforward management for LSS staff.

These requirements are particularly important for a high-profile penguin habitat where aquatic conditions play a central role in both animal care and the visitor experience. Franklin Park Zoo describes African Penguin Coast as a state-of-the-art habitat emphasizing conservation and sustainability, including its partnership with SANCCOB to support African penguin conservation in the wild.

The new exhibit required robust water-treatment equipment capable of supporting the long-term operational demands of a professional zoological facility.

The Integrated-Aqua Solution

IAS supplied a SITA PE200 UV Sterilizer for integration into the African Penguin Coast Life Support System.

The PE200 is part of SITA’s Amalgam Polyethylene Series and features a non-corrosive High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) vessel designed for demanding saltwater applications. The PE200 configuration utilizes six 200-watt low-pressure amalgam lamps for 1,200 watts of nominal lamp power. SITA’s PE Series is designed to provide high-output UV treatment while offering the corrosion resistance and durability required for commercial aquatic systems.

Within an LSS application, UV sterilization provides an important treatment barrier by exposing circulating water to germicidal ultraviolet light, helping manage waterborne microorganisms without introducing additional treatment chemicals into the exhibit water.

For public aquariums and zoological institutions, this provides an effective complement to the mechanical and biological filtration processes that form the foundation of a complete life support system.

Integrated Monitoring and Control

In addition to the UV sterilizer, IAS supplied an AEGIS II Control Platform for the project.

AEGIS II provides a flexible platform for real-time water-quality monitoring and control, with configurable sensor capabilities, communications, remote access, and alarming functions designed for aquaculture, aquatic research, and Life Support System applications.

For LSS operators, centralized monitoring and control can provide greater visibility into system conditions and help personnel respond quickly when operating parameters change. Incorporating instrumentation alongside treatment equipment creates a more integrated approach to maintaining consistent aquatic environments.

Engineered for Public Zoo and Aquarium Applications

The Franklin Park Zoo project demonstrates how purpose-selected UV disinfection and modern control technology can support the specialized requirements of today’s public aquatic exhibits.

By providing the SITA PE200 UV Sterilizer and AEGIS II Control Platform, Integrated-Aqua contributed key water-treatment and monitoring components to an exhibit designed around animal care, conservation, sustainability, and an engaging visitor experience.

For zoo and aquarium LSS professionals, selecting equipment that combines treatment performance, material compatibility, serviceability, and operational visibility is essential to building systems capable of reliable long-term operation.

Integrated-Aqua is proud to support Franklin Park Zoo and Zoo New England as they bring the new African Penguin Coast habitat to life.