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Bugcount® Ballast

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2nd Generation ATP

Bugcount® Ballast

The LuminUltra Bugcount® Ballast (formerly BQUA Plus Ballast Water Monitoring Kit) provides rapid and accurate insight into the microbial count in ballast water.

It’s the only ballast water test kit that can provide indicative analysis on each of the three regulatory fractions in less than 20 minutes. Used in on board of the vessel or in a laboratory for a ballast water management plan.

Requirements
Bugcount® One ATP Analyzer

Quantity
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BQUA Plus Test Kit for Ballast Water
BQUA Plus Test Kit for Ballast Water
Product Description

Test your ballast water with our efficient, versatile and accurate testing solution, measuring all fractions within 20 minutes.

Luminultra’s on-board testing solution is the result of a robust R&D program and has been validated extensively by customers in real-world applications. It’s used by shipowners, shipyards and laboratories worldwide.

Bugcount Ballast is based on the measurement of ATP using Luminultra’s 2nd Generation ATP® technology.  Avoid the risk of non-compliance by verifying the installation of your ballast water treatment system and prevent critical environmental contamination by verifying the total microbiological concentration of your ballast water.

The Bugcount® Ballast kit includes:

  • A three-membrane microfiltration system to separate organisms by fraction size category (organisms greater than 50 µm (e.g., zooplankton and phytoplankton); organisms between 10 and 50 µm (e.g., phytoplankton and micro-zooplankton); less than 10 µm)
  • An extraction method that ensures complete extraction of the cellular ATP present in marine organisms, including those protected by a mineral shell, a rigid exoskeleton or a tough outer wall (crustaceans, diatoms, microalgae, etc.)
  • A second-generation microbiological analysis kit designed to detect ATP in high-salt samples (up to 300‰ NaCl or 300 PSU)
Key Benefits
  • Be confident in your commissioning test by using a proof method referenced in the International Maritime Organization regulations
  • Accurate results for any type of BWTS technology (active substances or UV) and any type of water (untreated or treated)
  • Save money by avoiding sending samples to a shore facility
  • Prevent delays in ship operations by providing detailed results within 20 minutes
  • Generate additional revenues and add greater value services by offering more on-board testing, including with drinking water, fuel and sanitary networks.
Components
  • All required reagents, including: UltraLute, UltraLyse, freeze-dried Luminase, UltraCheck
  • Required consumables including tubes, syringes, filters, pipet tips
Specifications

Sample types

  • Treated ballast water
  • Untreated ballast water

Commonly used applications and industries

  • Compliance with marine discharge regulations
  • Ballast water management (on board of vessels or in laboratory)

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Explore Luminultra resources

Make confident decisions with trusted expertise.

Discover webinars, whitepapers and expert articles focused on microbial control.

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Energy
White Paper

Protect Performance, Operations and Profit: The Service Company’s Guide to Microbial Risk Management

Service companies are under growing pressure to help operators maintain production reliability, meet stricter service expectations and control risk without compromising margins. This guide explains why proactive microbial monitoring is becoming an important part of service quality and how data-backed insight can help providers protect profitability, validate their impact and strengthen client relationships. Learn why…
Oil and gas , Energy ,

Bugcount , Genecount , Labs , Polytechnic , Relay ,

Stay ahead of MIC , Keep source water clean , Protect reservoir quality , Prevent biofilm build-up , Optimize biocide performance , Unified testing and reporting ,

worker inspecting pipelines
Read more
Energy
Webinar

Webinar on demand | Two-part series: Microbial risk mitigation and biocide application mechanics

This two-part webinar series with LANXESS and Luminultra, co-presented by LANXESS Energy Technology Fellow, Ken Wunch, Ph.D. and Luminultra Market Development Director, Marc Demeter, Ph.D. explores practical, science-based strategies for microbial risk mitigation and biocide optimization in oil and gas operations. Together, the sessions provide a comprehensive framework for understanding microbial risks throughout the well…
Oil and gas , Energy ,

Bugcount , Genecount , Labs , Polytechnic ,

Stay ahead of MIC , Keep source water clean , Protect reservoir quality , Prevent biofilm build-up , Optimize biocide performance ,

Read more
Energy
Webinar

Upcoming Polytechnic webinar | Reservoir-focused microbial risk mitigation strategies

Wednesday, June 17 11 a.m. Central Register now Note that this is part one of a two-part series with LANXESS and Luminultra. The second webinar will be Wednesday, June 24 at 11am Central. This application-focused webinar examines microbial risk through the lens of hydraulic fracturing—following the journey from source water to the reservoir and highlighting […]

Oil and gas , Energy ,

Bugcount , Genecount , Labs , Polytechnic ,

Stay ahead of MIC , Keep source water clean , Protect reservoir quality , Prevent biofilm build-up , Optimize biocide performance ,

Read more
Water
Webinar

Webinar on demand | Better microbial testing for paints and coatings

In paints and coatings manufacturing, product quality is everything, but teams are often forced to make critical decisions with incomplete information. Traditional culture-based testing can take days to deliver reliable results, leaving you uncertain whether contamination is present until your product is already packaged or even shipped. That uncertainty comes at a cost, including rework,…
Water , Speciality products ,

Bugcount ,

Biocide management and optimization , Protect product quality , Keep lines running ,

yellow paint in a vat
Read more
Energy
White Paper

Protect Performance, Preserve Production: The Operator’s Guide to Microbial Risk Management

Operators are under growing pressure to protect production reliability, extend asset life and prove stronger control across increasingly complex operations. This guide explains why microbial monitoring is becoming a critical part of asset stewardship and how a proactive strategy can help reduce uncertainty across the production lifecycle. Learn why microbial risk management can no longer…
Oil and gas , Energy ,

Bugcount , Genecount , Labs , Polytechnic , Relay ,

Stay ahead of MIC , Keep source water clean , Protect reservoir quality , Prevent biofilm build-up , Optimize biocide performance , Unified testing and reporting ,

Read more
Water
Energy
Food and beverage
News and Awards

Luminultra introduces the Bugcount® analyzer ATP measurement platform, redefining the standard in microbial testing

The company’s flagship product combines 30 years of microbial expertise with trusted user feedback to produce a next-generation device built to streamline testing, accelerate decisions and strengthen control across critical systems.

Water , Energy , Food and beverage ,

Bugcount ,

Wastewater treatment , Drinking water , Legionella management , Microbial contamination , Efficiency loss and biofilm buildup , Biocide management and optimization , Protect product quality , Keep lines running , Stay ahead of MIC , Keep source water clean , Protect reservoir quality , Prevent biofilm build-up , Optimize biocide performance , Commercial aviation , Non-commercial aviation , Marine , Fuel storage ,

Close-up of bugcount device, with results on a screen of testing
Read more
Food and beverage
Webinar

Webinar on-demand | Beyond compliance: smarter hygiene monitoring for safer food processing

What you’ll learn This session delivers science-backed insights grounded in real-world processing experience. Led by industry experts with deep knowledge of diagnostics and QA, you’ll walk away with a clear understanding of: Why traditional ATP-only hygiene verification can underestimate residual contamination How adenylate molecules behave during processing and cleaning Where total adenylate testing adds value…
Food Safety & Hygiene Monitoring , Food and beverage ,



A more complete picture of cleanliness ,

two food technicians running a test
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Energy
Water
Webinar

Webinar on demand | Bugcount® analyzer product demonstration

In this session, our team walked through the complete Bugcount platform, including how to run a test from sample to result in just minutes on the new analyzer. See how the Bugcount platform connects testing, results and data management through seamless integration with Relay™, turning microbial measurements into clear operational insight. Hosted by Market Sales…
Oil and gas , Municipal and environmental , Fuel , Commercial and industrial , Speciality products ,

Bugcount ,

Wastewater treatment , Drinking water , Legionella management , Biocide management and optimization , Stay ahead of MIC , Keep source water clean ,

woman testing with bugcount analyzer device
Read more
Water
Webinar

Webinar on demand | Using ATP to monitor regrowth in drinking water distribution systems

This concise, practical webinar provides a foundational understanding of how Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) testing can be used to monitor microbial regrowth and support operational decision-making in drinking water distribution systems. Designed for operators, water quality professionals, and laboratory teams, the session explores how microorganisms respond to treatment processes and how utilities can use ATP as…
Municipal and environmental , Water ,

Bugcount ,

Drinking water ,

drinking water tap
Read more
Energy
Webinar

Webinar on demand | Oilfield Microbiology 101 – Foundations for microbial control in oil and gas

Oilfield Microbiology 101 is a concise, introductory webinar designed to provide a practical foundation in oilfield microbial management. This session is a streamlined primer based on Luminultra’s Oilfield Microbiology Basics Polytechnic, intended to introduce key concepts, terminology, testing technologies and microbial control fundamentals. It is well suited for those new to oilfield microbiology or as…
Oil and gas , Energy ,

Bugcount , Genecount , Labs ,

Stay ahead of MIC , Keep source water clean , Protect reservoir quality , Prevent biofilm build-up , Optimize biocide performance ,

Energy
Read more

Industries powered by Bugcount ®

Helping critical sectors act with clarity and control.

For teams who need fast, defensible results.

Luminultra works across water, energy and food and beverage to solve complex microbial challenges. We provide the insight to detect threats early, guide effective action and strengthen operational performance.
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