Water Quality and Filtration Flashcards
How long should a tank be running before introducing the fish?
At least a week in order for the bacteria to establish and remove any harmful components.
This can be longer depending on tank size and water hardness.
Plants can be added immediately.
What harmful chemicals occur in fish tanks?
Ammonia
Nitrite
Nitrate
Chlorine
Fluoride
Why is ammonia bad for fish?
High concentrations make it difficult for fish to eliminate ammonia from their bodies. This build-up of ammonia can cause stress, ammonia burns, gill and internal organ damage, and eventually death.
Why is nitrite bad for fish?
It binds with the haemoglobin in fish’s blood to form methaemoglobin.
Haemoglobin carries oxygen through the body while methaemoglobin does not,
So the fish will suffocate even if sufficient oxygen is present.
Why is nitrate bad for fish?
It’s only toxic at incredibly high levels and can be reduced sufficiently through periodic water changes. Some nitrate will also be used by plants. In natural systems and some aquarium systems, nitrate is converted to nitrogen gas by denitrifying bacteria.
Why is chlorine bad for fish?
It kills living cells, which damages fish’s gills and their skin. Causes respiratory problems and may suffocate or be unable to breathe properly.
Why is fluoride bad for fish?
Fluoride ions act as enzymatic poisons. They inhibit enzyme activity which affects metabolic processes such as glycolysis (source of energy) and synthesis of proteins.
What is the nitrification process?
Step 1 – Organisms inside the tank produce waste which turns into ammonia.
Step 2 – Ammonia is removed from the system using a filter (the most effective is a biofilter).
Step 3 – The filter provides a substrate which allows nitrifying bacteria to grow.
Step 4 – The nitrifying bacteria consume the ammonia in the system and in turn produce Nitrite.
Step 5 – Additional bacteria, established inside the filter, consume Nitrite and producer Nitrate.
Step 6 – Any live plants inside the tank will feed off the Nitrates produces and use that to grow, producing oxygen in the water for the animals.
What is filtration?
Filtration is the removal/straining of solid particles (waste) within the water.
Biofilters also remove harmful chemicals which is why they are more commonly used.
How often should you do water changes?
A 20-30% water change every 2 weeks is done to manage levels of harmful chemicals.
No more than 50% should be removed as this removes too much bacteria.
Also clean the glass and siphon any waste from the bottom of the tank.
