Low-Maintenance Water Quality Instruments for Continuous Deployment

What comes to mind when you think of continuous coastal water quality data collection? Most likely, trips to the field are high up on your list. We all know data is what we’re after, and getting instrumentation in the field is just a means to that end. But sometimes it can feel like the work it takes to keep it there—traveling out to sites, cleaning and recalibrating sensors to keep them drift-free—fills the lion’s share of our time.
Intuitive design and a shared ecosystem of products make Aqua TROLL sondes easy to set up, deploy, and maintain. (Image credit: In-Situ)

Enhanced Coastal Reliability

In-Situ kept these frustrations top-of-mind when designing the Aqua TROLL 700 and 800 Multiparameter Sondes. Active and passive antifouling features make these instruments ideal for low-maintenance, long-term deployments in coastal nearshore environments, where biofouling is often the limiting factor on sonde endurance. In addition to six water quality sensors, the Aqua TROLL 700 and 800 contain a central port for an antifouling wiper. The wiper clears sensor faces and the inside of the sonde restrictor to reduce biogrowth and extend intervals between maintenance visits.

Intuitive design and a shared ecosystem of products make Aqua TROLL sondes easy to set up, deploy, and maintain. (Image credit: In-Situ)

The sensors—which are interchangeable to fit in any Aqua TROLL sensor port—also interlock, preventing fouling growth between them. For extra security on battery-powered deployments, the Aqua TROLL 800 offers internal logging and a micro-SD card for backup data storage with a battery life that lasts nine months or more, depending on the recording interval.

All Aqua TROLL models are available in vented and non-vented options and support short-term deployments and spot-check readings as well as long-term installation. An onboard LCD screen displays battery life, sensor status, and overall instrument readiness for easy setup and deployment.

Sondes also include a multi-chamber design to protect sensor electronics in case of flooding. These and other features enhance the reliability of Aqua TROLL sondes, so you can make fewer trips to the field and spend more time, energy, and resources working with your data.

A Complete Monitoring Solution

When instrumentation, software, and accessories all work together, it’s easier to get equipment to collect data in the field. All In-Situ instruments are compatible with telemetry, software, cables, and accessories in our shared ecosystem for maximum flexibility and efficiency.

Our powerful software makes it simple to collect, access, and manage your data.

The VuSitu mobile app provides intuitive, step-by-step instructions for seamless setup, calibration, report creation, and more. VuSitu automatically backs up files to our cloud-based data management platform, HydroVu, for secure, redundant storage of field data. A HydroVu account provides free instant access to all logs, live recordings, calibration reports, and other critical files in a central location.

And our support teams are always ready to assist. Three tiers of optional service plans designed specifically for multiparameter sondes ensure optimal performance while taking maintenance off your plate.

With antifouling features to reduce drift and a shared ecosystem of In- Situ software and accessories to simplify deployment, the Aqua TROLL 700 and 800 are designed to deliver quality data for a low cost of ownership, freeing up time and resources for you and your team.

To find out more, visit: in-situ.com

This spotlight was featured in the 2024-2025 Marine Instruments Buyers’ Guide, read more here.

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