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Case Study: Dongrun Instrument Smart Aquaculture Solution Empowers a Leading Aquaculture Group
This aquaculture group ranks as an industry leader in tilapia fry production, with annual sales exceeding 1 billion fry, generating an end‑market economic value of up to 3.6 billion RMB.
Yet rapid business expansion exposed major bottlenecks in traditional farming management. How can operators precisely regulate water environments across thousands of acres of water bodies? How do they guarantee optimal growing conditions for every valuable fry? And how can experienced farming know‑how be converted into stable, replicable data‑driven standards? This case study dives deep into the farm base and shows how Shandong Dongrun Instrument delivers a fully‑integrated “Sensing‑Connecting‑Managing‑Controlling” smart aquaculture solution to bring digital transformation to this aquaculture giant.
Core Pain Points Before Digital Upgrade
Before the project launch, the group’s technical teams relied heavily on manual site inspections and empirical judgment to manage extensive indoor workshops and outdoor ponds. This created three major challenges:
Blind spots in water‑quality data Water‑quality fluctuations such as sharp nighttime drops in dissolved oxygen could not be captured in real‑time. Risks were only identified after losses had already occurred.
Heavy labour burden Technicians travelled non‑stop between numerous pond sites to manually operate aerators and water pumps. Response was slow and coordinated operations were difficult to achieve.
Experience‑driven barriers High‑quality farming techniques depended heavily on senior operators’ personal know‑how. There was no standardised, traceable data framework to support performance review and large‑scale replication of proven practices.
Dongrun’s Solution: An AI‑powered steward for every water body
Working closely with on‑site farming teams, Dongrun Instrument delivered a tailor‑made smart aquaculture solution with tightly‑integrated hardware and software.
1. Sensing nerve endings: 24/7 real‑time water‑quality perception
Multi‑parameter water‑quality sensors are deployed across key water zones to continuously monitor core parameters including dissolved oxygen, pH, water temperature and conductivity. These sensors act as sharp “eyes” for every pond.
2. Smart actuators: Automated “hands‑and‑feet” for unmanned operation
Well pumps, aerators, electric tube openers and other field equipment are retrofitted for remote and automatic control. Devices can start and stop automatically according to pre‑set logic or remote instructions, freeing staff from repetitive manual work.
3. Long‑term reliable measurement: Patented anti‑fouling cleaning system
Sensor fouling caused by algae and biofouling is a long‑standing industry headache that distorts readings and increases maintenance workload. Dongrun applies patented automatic cleaning technology together with UVC anti‑biofouling equipment. This preserves measurement accuracy over long operating cycles and greatly cuts routine maintenance costs.
4. Centralised smart brain: One‑screen unified management
All field devices and monitoring data converge within the Dongrun smart aquaculture management platform. Via central control displays or mobile APPs, managers gain full site visibility at any location. They can trigger one‑click equipment control and receive instant alarm notifications, enabling modern remote‑first and semi‑unmanned aquaculture operations.
Project Outcomes: From experience‑led farming to data‑driven operations
The successful Phase‑1 deployment delivered tangible, measurable improvements:
✅ Early risk warning When key indicators such as dissolved oxygen approach safety thresholds, the system triggers automatic alerts and can even start aerators automatically, eliminating risks before they escalate.
✅ Cost reduction & higher operational efficiency Equipment runs only when required based on real‑time measured water quality, delivering substantial overall energy savings. Operators no longer need constant site travel; management coverage and work efficiency multiply.
✅ Documented farming know‑how Complete full‑cycle water‑quality and environmental datasets are recorded automatically. This builds a solid data foundation for optimising farming workflows and establishing internal enterprise production standards.
✅ Traceable product lifecycle via QR code QR‑code traceability covers full production records: fry source information, production batches, origin, feed records, veterinary drug usage, water‑quality inspection reports throughout rearing, plus logistics data. This supports organic‑certified production and improves market trust.
Impressed by Phase‑1 results, the group has already kicked off Phase‑2 cooperation with Dongrun Instrument. The next stage will unify previously isolated third‑party devices across all farm zones, breaking down data silos. Goals include unified platform access for all equipment, consolidated data analytics and cross‑site coordinated scheduling.
Dongrun believes smart aquaculture is far more than simple hardware stacking. It requires deep understanding of aquaculture workflows plus effective exploitation of data value. We deliver not merely sensors and cloud platforms, but long‑term partnership alongside industry leaders.
This real‑world project illustrates a clear transformation path for China’s modern aquaculture sector shifting from labour‑intensive to technology‑intensive modes. Shandong Dongrun Instrument will keep innovating to empower more aquaculture enterprises on their digital and intelligent growth journey.
Help every fry grow under ideal conditions. Dongrun smart aquaculture solutions deliver shared value for the whole industry.
