We can try to define the actual sound level, but matching may not be easy since the Portland and Albany enclosures are already in place. The Albany boxes require sliding the monitors in and out so that the top of the test chamber can be accessed. Thus the chamber is moved into place with the mouse inside it and the door then closed before the switch is thrown for session initiation. Omnitech monitors should have acrylic tops on during testing since some motivated mice can actually emerge from the top. With these tops in place, additional sound dampening is available, diminishing the impact of the fans.
Testing is done in the dark.
Room light normal if possible. Computer control should be set up so that each squad's information is set up immediately following the completion of the prior squad. This permits direct movement of the succeeding squad from the colony room into the test room and into the monitors without delay for computer setup. Lighting is normal room lighting. Mice are tailmarked before testing begins.