Aquarium Ecosystem Lab

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Aquarium Ecosystem Lab

• Setting up and maintaining a healthy aquarium
  ecosystem

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I. Safety

• Electrocution!!!!!!!!!
• Glass aquariums can break
• Slipping on water on the floor
• Cleanliness

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II. Cleaning

• Siphon out the water and remove contents
• Do not use chemicals to clean in or
  outside-residues can remain in scratches
• (NO windex near tanks!)
• Rinse anything you clean with and place in net
  soak to avoid tank contamination

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Maintaining Cleanliness

• Dont overfeed your fish!
• Make a 25 water change once a month
• Clean gravel periodically

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III. Tank Set-up

• Situate tank where it will stay before adding
  anything!
• Add in gravel, water, decor, then fish!

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Set-up

• Use natural or aquarium décor - simulate habitat
• ALWAYS add water conditioner to remove chlorine
  chloramine from tap water (usually 5mL/10 gal
  read directions!)

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Light

• Natural lighting is best for fish
• Florescent/UV lights are also acceptable
• Black lights can be harmful do NOT use

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Hood/Cover

• Aquariums must be covered so that fish dont
  leap out
• A hood can also house the lighting
• Be careful not to get light in the
  water.electrocution!!!

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Air

• Aquatic organisms breathe dissolved oxygen
• Air must be pumped in with a compressor or can
  be put in with a powered filter
• Air stones increase surface area of bubbles O2
  content

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Temperature

• Most fish can live at a range of 72-80 degrees F
  (22-27 C)
• An aquarium heater can be placed in tanks that
  need higher temperatures (tropicals)

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3 types of Filtration

• Biological filtration
• Created by bacteria in gravel and on fish
• Beneficial bacteria breaks down waste products in
  the nitrogen cycle
• Fish food (protein N)? Ammonia/ fish waste
  (NH3)?Nitrite (NO2)?Nitrate (NO3)?h20 change
• You can use an under gravel filter to facilitate
  bacterial growth

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Filtration

• Mechanical filtration
• Removes accumulated solids (mulm) from aquarium
• Usually accomplished with mesh in an electric pump

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Filtration

• Chemical filtration
• Purifies water using activated carbon-dissolved
  impurities are absorbed by holes in carbon
• Activated carbon must be replaced
• Minimize use of chemical/medicines to rid tank of
  problems

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Water tests

• pH-
• Measures acidity or alkalinity of water
• Range should be 6.6-7.6 for FW 7.8-8.4 for SW
• A buffer can be added in to maintain a pH or
  make a 25 water change

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Water tests

• Ammonia?Nitrite?Nitrate
• Released from gills of fish and decaying wastes
• Range should be 0 ppm
• Change 25 of water to lower nitrate level

http//saltwater-aquarium-guide.net/
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Conditioning period

• A conditioning (waiting) period of 1 month
  should be allowed for new tank without a natural
  bacteria population established
• Seed with old gravel

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Saltwater

• Saltwater can be obtained from the ocean (risky)
  or from a salt mix Instant Ocean!
• Saltwater - Concentration 32 ppt or .022
  specific gravity
• Freshwater - add 1 tsp /5-10 gallons for health

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Water level

• Add water to within 1 of top
• Water must be added every so often due to
  evaporation
• Dont forget water conditioner!

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Aquatic Organisms
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How to buy

• Find a reputable fish dealer and establish a
  buyer relationship
• Never buy from a tank with dead or sick-looking
  fish
• Be sure to ask questions- these guys are experts!

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How many?

• General rule- 1 inch of fish/gallon
• Ex. A 30 gal tank can have
• 1- 30 inch fish
• 2-15 inch fish
• 3-10 inch fish
• 30-1 inch fish

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What to get?

• Try to utilize all the areas in your tank by
  adding fish that live in different parts of the
  water column
• Ex. a bottom feeder (scavenger), a mid-water
  swimmer, a top feeder

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How to add?

• Dumping fish in your tank from a bag can shock
  them
• Float the bag for 15-20 minutes to gradually
  adjust the temperature
• Then, pour out half of the water in the bag and
  add in water from your tank
• After 15-20 more minutes the fish should be
  acclimated to your tank

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How to add?

• Also, feed the resident organisms in the tank as
  you are releasing new fish from a bag, to keep
  them preoccupied
• This allows the new fish to enter gently,
  without being harassed by current resident
  bullies

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How much to feed?

• Feed fish only what they will consume in 5
  minutes, twice a day (once for us)-cover food!
• Remove excess food, so as not to pollute the tank
• One day of fasting is recommended (feed 6 out of
  7 days)
• ASK what the fish eats when your buying them!

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Sickness

• If an organism appears sick, it should be
  removed from the tank so as not to contaminate
  the rest of the organisms
• A separate hospital tank can be set up to help
  or medicate a fish

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Plants?

• Just like land plants, aquatic plant need natural
  light to survive, as well as minerals from a
  substrate
• Aquatic plants are often hard to maintain without
  adequate lighting and can deteriorate in your
  tank
• My advice. Go plastic!

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Remember!!

• SAFETY!!
• NO AQUARIUM WATER DOWN the Sink! Dump it outside
  in the drain.
• Dont let the sink run continuously.
• No rocks in the sink.
• Clean up after yourself.

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Day 1

• Remember safety.
• Clean inside and outside of tank, using only
  salt and water.
• Clean lid with water
• Clean light fixture with damp paper towel
• Make sure light works!

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Clean Gravel

• Whether using old or new, you need to wash.
• Clean with running water at least 3 times before
  adding to tank.
• DO NOT let gravel go down sink!!

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Clean décor

• Wash any decorations and artificial plants that
  you will add to your tank with soap and water.

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Day 2

• Safety!!!!
• Clean your filter and make sure all parts all
  assembled.
• Prime with water!
• Plug it in to make sure it works!
• Clean your air compressor.
• Make sure you have the compressor, the tubing
  and the air stone.
• Plug it in to make sure it works!
• In observations, record your filtration type and
  describe how your air is supplied (where is it
  running from?)

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Day 2

• Add water to tank.
• Within 1 from the top
• Remember to add water conditioner!
• Plug in your filter and air compressor and get
  those working.

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Day 2

• Add lid to top
• Put light on.
• Turn on.
• Make sure your tank is labeled with all group
  members names!!

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Day 3

• SAFETY
• NEVER mess with another persons tank
• If you are doing a saltwater tank, add one box
  of Instant Ocean (you will measure salinity
  tomorrow)
• Everyone should work on JOURNAL and LAB WRITE
  UP!!!

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Day 4

• Water tests
• Freshwater ensure filter and air compressor
  are working properly
• Saltwater measure salinity

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Day 5

• Add fish Follow all rules to ensure safety!!
• From here on out, you will need to feed your
  fish when needed
• Every Friday will be maintenance day clean
  inside and out, check filter, add water if
  needed.