Water quality Flashcards
Why is water quality important?
-> affects health of fish
-> increases chance of disease
-> increase mortality rate
What parameters need to be measured and monitored?
-> temperature
-> pH - acidity / alkalinity
-> Water hardness - amount of dissolved minerals
-> Salinity
-> Ammonia/ nitrites/ nitrates - Nitreogen cycle
What is temperature measured with and where should it be located?
-> Measure with thermometer.
-> Should be kept away from heating or cooling devices.
What does pH measure
Is a measure of the hydrogen ion levels in the water
-> measures on scale 0-14
-> 7.0 is neutral
-> less than 7 = acidic
-> more than 7 = alkaline
What pH can fish typically live in
6-9
What does more minerals in a solution suggest
The water is harder
What does general hardness of water mean
Measures the amount of dissolved calcium, magnesium and other minerals
What is Carbonate Hardness
Measures the amount of carbonate or bicarbonate in water
What is water hardness measured in
parts per million (ppm)
What can incorrect salinity cause
Physiological stress
Lower immune function
How is Salinity measured
Measured with a hydrometer - measures specific gravity of the water
What is the normal range of saltwater
1.012 - 1.024
What does the nitrogen cycle do?
As aquarium bacteria builds up the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate breaks down the wastes
What is ammonia caused by
Decomposition of fish waste, decaying food and dead fish
How does ammonia effect fish health
Causes the blood to lose its ability to carry oxygen around the body
-. Damage the gill membranes - affecting breathing
-> reduced hatch and growth rates
How is nitrite produced
Produced by nitrifying bacteria nitorsomonas in the biological filter as it breaks down ammonia
How is nitrite measured
Test kits or electrical probes
Should always be 0
Effects of nitrite on fish health
-> binds to haemoglobin - reduced ability to carry oxygen
Leads to
-> gasping
-> death
-> weak immune system
How is nitrite converted to nitrate and where does it take place
Converted by the bacteria nitrobacter
Occurs in biological filter
What does beneficial bacteria do
Convert toxic ammonia and nitrite into non toxic nitrate
What are the effects of nitrate of fish health
Less toxic than nitrite and ammonia
-> affects growth and breeding
-> causes stress which weakens immune systems
How to reduce the risks?
-> test water regularly
-> perform water changes to reduce levels of ammonia
-> if possible to obtain some gravel, tank decor, plants or filter media
What are daily aquarium checks
-> check that all livestock is alive
-> visually check fish for signs of disease, injury, aggressive behaviour
-> check that all lighting is working
-> check tank temperature
What are cleaning routines
-> turn off electric to tank you are working on
-> use a siphon to clean the substrate whilst removing 10-25% of water from tank
-> with water removed wash all ornaments, filter sponges and media
-> refill with correct water
-> turn all electric back on
-> tidy the work area
