Water quality

Question 1

Why is water quality important?

Answer 1

-> affects health of fish
-> increases chance of disease
-> increase mortality rate

Question 2

What parameters need to be measured and monitored?

Answer 2

-> temperature
-> pH - acidity / alkalinity
-> Water hardness - amount of dissolved minerals
-> Salinity
-> Ammonia/ nitrites/ nitrates - Nitreogen cycle

Question 3

What is temperature measured with and where should it be located?

Answer 3

-> Measure with thermometer.
-> Should be kept away from heating or cooling devices.

Question 4

What does pH measure

Answer 4

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

Question 5

What pH can fish typically live in

Answer 5

6-9

Question 6

What does more minerals in a solution suggest

Answer 6

The water is harder

Question 7

What does general hardness of water mean

Answer 7

Measures the amount of dissolved calcium, magnesium and other minerals

Question 8

What is Carbonate Hardness

Answer 8

Measures the amount of carbonate or bicarbonate in water

Question 9

What is water hardness measured in

Answer 9

parts per million (ppm)

Question 10

What can incorrect salinity cause

Answer 10

Physiological stress
Lower immune function

Question 11

How is Salinity measured

Answer 11

Measured with a hydrometer - measures specific gravity of the water

Question 12

What is the normal range of saltwater

Answer 12

1.012 - 1.024

Question 13

What does the nitrogen cycle do?

Answer 13

As aquarium bacteria builds up the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate breaks down the wastes

Question 14

What is ammonia caused by

Answer 14

Decomposition of fish waste, decaying food and dead fish

Question 15

How does ammonia effect fish health

Answer 15

Causes the blood to lose its ability to carry oxygen around the body
-. Damage the gill membranes - affecting breathing
-> reduced hatch and growth rates

Question 16

How is nitrite produced

Answer 16

Produced by nitrifying bacteria nitorsomonas in the biological filter as it breaks down ammonia

Question 17

How is nitrite measured

Answer 17

Test kits or electrical probes
Should always be 0

Question 18

Effects of nitrite on fish health

Answer 18

-> binds to haemoglobin - reduced ability to carry oxygen
Leads to
-> gasping
-> death
-> weak immune system

Question 19

How is nitrite converted to nitrate and where does it take place

Answer 19

Converted by the bacteria nitrobacter
Occurs in biological filter

Question 20

What does beneficial bacteria do

Answer 20

Convert toxic ammonia and nitrite into non toxic nitrate

Question 21

What are the effects of nitrate of fish health

Answer 21

Less toxic than nitrite and ammonia
-> affects growth and breeding
-> causes stress which weakens immune systems

Question 22

How to reduce the risks?

Answer 22

-> test water regularly
-> perform water changes to reduce levels of ammonia
-> if possible to obtain some gravel, tank decor, plants or filter media

Question 23

What are daily aquarium checks

Answer 23

-> 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

Question 24

What are cleaning routines

Answer 24

-> 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