Morris Water Straight Swim Channel
Acrylic swimming channel accessory for Morris Water Maze platforms, enabling directional navigation training and escape platform protocols in rodent behavioral research.
Louise Corscadden, PhD
Director of Science · ConductScience
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The Morris Water Straight Swim Channel is an acrylic behavioral testing apparatus designed for rodent swimming assessments and directional navigation training. This channel system attaches to Morris Water Maze platforms to create linear swimming pathways for escape platform training, forced swim protocols, and swimming performance evaluation.
Available in full-length and half-length configurations for 4, 5, and 6-foot diameter tubs, the channel features fitted ends that secure to the tub rim with platforms positioned 1 cm below the water surface. The standardized 100 cm x 15 cm x 26 cm channel dimensions provide consistent testing conditions for spatial memory research and aquatic behavioral assessments.
How It Works
The Morris Water Straight Swim Channel operates by constraining rodent movement to a linear pathway, eliminating spatial navigation variables while maintaining the aquatic environment essential for water maze protocols. The channel walls guide directional swimming toward a submerged escape platform positioned 1 cm below the water surface.
This design isolates swimming motivation and motor performance from spatial cognitive demands, enabling researchers to distinguish between navigation deficits and swimming impairments. The fitted attachment system ensures stable positioning within the tub while maintaining consistent water depth and platform accessibility across testing sessions.
Features & Benefits
channel_lengths
- ['Full Length', 'Half Length']
tub_sizes
- ['4 Feet', '5 Feet', '6 Feet']
platform_submersion_depth
- 1 cm below water surface
attachment_method
- Fitted ends secured to tub rim
Length
- Full Length
- Half Length
Color
- Black
- Blue
- Clear
- Grey
- White
Behavioral Construct
- Spatial Navigation
- Swimming Performance
- Escape Learning
- Motor Function
- Behavioral Despair
Automation Level
- manual
Material
- Acrylic
Species
- Mouse
- Rat
Dimensions
- 100 cm x 15 cm x 26 cm
Research Domain
- Aging Research
- Anxiety and Depression
- Behavioral Pharmacology
- Learning and Memory
- Neurodegeneration
- Neuroscience
Compatible Tracking Software
- ConductVision
Weight
- 21.0 kg
Dimensions
- L: 43.2 mm
- W: 38.0 mm
- H: 27.9 mm
| Feature | This Product | Typical Alternative | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Material | Acrylic construction with clear visibility | Basic models often use opaque plastic or metal materials | Clear acrylic enables continuous behavioral observation and video analysis throughout swimming trials. |
| Size Configuration Options | Full-length and half-length options for 4, 5, and 6-foot tubs | Single-size configurations limit experimental flexibility | Multiple size options accommodate varied experimental designs and different animal capabilities within the same system. |
| Platform Integration | Standardized 1 cm submersion depth positioning | Variable platform positioning requires manual adjustment | Consistent platform depth ensures reproducible escape conditions across testing sessions and research groups. |
| Attachment System | Fitted rim attachment without additional hardware | Clamp systems often require external mounting hardware | Streamlined attachment prevents hardware interference with animal behavior while maintaining secure channel positioning. |
| Color Options | Available in black, blue, clear, grey, and white | Limited color selection in standard models | Multiple color options support visual contrast optimization for different experimental lighting conditions and tracking requirements. |
The Morris Water Straight Swim Channel offers comprehensive size configurations, clear acrylic construction, and standardized platform integration for consistent directional swimming assessments. The fitted attachment system and multiple color options provide experimental flexibility while maintaining reproducible testing conditions.
| Model | SKU | Listed price | Status | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Half Length | ME-3152 | $1,580.00 | Available | 43.2 x 38.0 x 27.9 cm |
| Full Length | ME-3152 | $1,580.00 | Available | 43.2 x 38.0 x 27.9 cm |
Practical Tips
Test channel stability and platform accessibility before each experimental session to ensure consistent escape conditions.
Why: Pre-session verification prevents mid-experiment equipment failures that could confound behavioral data.
Clean acrylic surfaces with alcohol-based solutions between subjects and inspect for stress cracks in high-use areas.
Why: Regular cleaning prevents odor cues between animals while crack inspection ensures continued structural integrity.
Verify platform submersion depth at 1 cm below water surface using a ruler measurement at the platform location.
Why: Consistent platform depth ensures standardized escape difficulty across all testing sessions and research groups.
Position tracking cameras perpendicular to the channel length to capture complete swimming trajectory data.
Why: Proper camera positioning enables accurate measurement of swimming speed, latency, and directional consistency.
If animals avoid the platform area, check for proper submersion depth and eliminate visual cues above water level.
Why: Platform avoidance often indicates depth miscalibration or visible platform cues that alter natural escape behavior.
Ensure channel edges are smooth and free of sharp points that could injure animals during swimming trials.
Why: Edge inspection prevents animal injury and maintains welfare compliance during behavioral testing protocols.
Setup Guide
What’s in the Box
- Morris Water Straight Swim Channel (acrylic construction)
- Fitted rim attachment hardware
- Installation guide
- Maintenance instructions (typical)
Warranty
ConductScience provides a standard one-year manufacturer warranty covering materials and workmanship defects, with technical support for installation and operation guidance.
Compliance
How does the channel attachment system ensure stability during testing?
The fitted ends secure directly to the tub rim without requiring additional clamps, providing stable positioning that prevents channel movement during animal swimming without creating protruding hardware that could affect behavior.
What is the optimal platform submersion depth and how is it maintained?
The escape platform is positioned 1 cm below the water surface to maintain concealment while ensuring reliable accessibility. This depth is maintained through careful water level adjustment during channel installation.
Can the channel be used with existing Morris Water Maze tracking systems?
Yes, the channel is designed for compatibility with ConductScience platforms and standard video tracking systems, allowing behavioral analysis within the linear pathway using existing recording equipment.
How do I select between full-length and half-length channel configurations?
Full-length channels provide maximum swimming distance for endurance and motivation assessments, while half-length channels offer shorter escape routes for animals with motor impairments or when testing multiple trial blocks.
What cleaning protocols are recommended for the acrylic construction?
The acrylic material allows standard laboratory disinfection protocols between subjects, with compatibility for alcohol-based cleaners and mild detergents that maintain material clarity.
How does the channel width accommodate different rodent sizes?
The 15 cm channel width provides adequate swimming space for standard laboratory rodents while preventing turning behaviors that would confound directional swimming assessments.
Can multiple channels be used simultaneously in larger tub configurations?
The channel system is designed for single-channel installation per tub to maintain controlled linear swimming conditions, though multiple tubs can be operated simultaneously for increased throughput.
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