Tuesday, November 04, 2014Tuesday, November 04, 2014

AquaticsAquatics Finish copying notes from Finish copying notes from

yesterdayyesterday We will be gin going over We will be gin going over

them as soon as the bell them as soon as the bell ringsrings

BiologyBiology

Aquarium Aquarium LabLab

Setting up and maintaining Setting up and maintaining a healthy aquariuma healthy aquarium

SafetySafety

Electricution!!!!!!!!! No Drip Loops on plugsElectricution!!!!!!!!! No Drip Loops on plugs

Glass aquariums can breakGlass aquariums can break

Slipping on water on the floorSlipping on water on the floor

CleanlinessCleanliness

CleaningCleaning

Siphon out the water and remove contentsSiphon out the water and remove contents Do not use chemicals to clean in or outside-Do not use chemicals to clean in or outside-

residues can remain in scratches (NO windex residues can remain in scratches (NO windex near tanks!)near tanks!)

Rinse anything you clean and soak in water Rinse anything you clean and soak in water to avoid tank contaminationto avoid tank contamination

Maintaining CleanlinessMaintaining Cleanliness Don’t overfeed your fish!Don’t overfeed your fish! Make a 25% water change once a monthMake a 25% water change once a month Vacuum gravel periodicallyVacuum gravel periodically

Tank Set-upTank Set-up

Situate tank where it will stay before adding anything!Situate tank where it will stay before adding anything!

Add in gravel, water, decor, then fishAdd in gravel, water, decor, then fish

Use natural or aquarium decor- simulate habitatUse natural or aquarium decor- simulate habitat

ALWAYS add water conditioner to remove chlorine & ALWAYS add water conditioner to remove chlorine & chloramine from tap waterchloramine from tap water

LightLight

Natural lighting is best for fishNatural lighting is best for fish

Florescent/UV lights are also acceptableFlorescent/UV lights are also acceptable

Black lights can be harmfulBlack lights can be harmful

Hood/CoverHood/Cover

Aquariums must be covered so that fish don’t Aquariums must be covered so that fish don’t leap outleap out

A hood can also house the lightingA hood can also house the lighting

Be careful not to get light in the Be careful not to get light in the water….electricution!!!water….electricution!!!

AirAir

Aquatic organisms breathe dissolved Aquatic organisms breathe dissolved oxygenoxygen

Air must be pumped in with a compressor Air must be pumped in with a compressor or can be put in with a powered filteror can be put in with a powered filter

Air stones increase surface area of Air stones increase surface area of bubbles & O2 contentbubbles & O2 content

TemperatureTemperature

Most fish can live at a range of 72-80 F (22-27 C)Most fish can live at a range of 72-80 F (22-27 C)

An aquarium heater can be placed in tanks that An aquarium heater can be placed in tanks that need higher temperatures (tropicals)need higher temperatures (tropicals)

3 types of Filtration3 types of Filtration

Biological filtrationBiological 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

Use an under gravel filter to facilitate bacterial growth

FiltrationFiltration

Mechanical filtrationMechanical filtration Removes accumulated solids (mulm)

from aquarium

Usually accomplished with mesh in an electric pump

Can also be manually removed with a gravel vacuum

FiltrationFiltration

Chemical filtrationChemical 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

Water testsWater tests

pHpH Measures acidity or alkalinity of water Range

• FW 6.6-7.6 • SW 7.8-8.4

A buffer can be added in to maintain a pH or make a 25% water change

If pH is too high/basic – lower pH• Peat moss• pH decreasing chemical from pet store

If pH is too low/acidic – increase pH• Baking soda: has bicarbonate ions which is a base

Water testsWater tests

AmmoniaAmmoniaNitriteNitriteNitrate-Nitrate- Released from gills of fish and decaying

wastes

Range should be 0 ppm

Change 25% of water or replace carbon to lower level

Conditioning periodConditioning period

A conditioning (waiting) period of 1 week should A conditioning (waiting) period of 1 week should be allowed for new tank without a natural be allowed for new tank without a natural bacteria population establishedbacteria population established

Seed with old gravelSeed with old gravel

SaltwaterSaltwater

Saltwater can be obtained from the ocean or from a salt mix

Concentration: • 32 ppt

• Specific gravity = 1.021 - 1.024• ½ cup marine salt / gallon

Freshwater- add 1 tsp / 5 gallons for health

Water levelWater level

Add water to within 1’’ of top

Water must be added every so often due to evaporation

Don’t forget water conditioner! !

Aquatic OrganismsAquatic Organisms

How to buyHow 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!

How many?How many?

General rule- 1 inch of fish/gallonGeneral rule- 1 inch of fish/gallon Ex. A 30 gal tank can have:Ex. A 30 gal tank can have:

1- 30 inch fish1- 30 inch fish2-15 inch fish2-15 inch fish3-10 inch fish3-10 inch fish30-1 inch fish30-1 inch fish

What to get?What to get? Freshwater:

Plecostamus (sucker fish) Tetra Platties Guppies Mollies Beta Gouramis Danios Tiger Barbs Bala & Red Tail Sharks Catfish Angel fish NO CICHLIDS!!!!

Saltwater: Damsels Tangs Wrasse Puffers (brackish-low salt) Snow Flake Eels Crab Shrimp

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

Helpful Websiteshttp://freshaquarium.about.com/od/fishspecies/tp/fishprofiles.htm

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/Saltwater-Fish_c_15.html

http://fishprofiles.com/  

How to add?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

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”

How much to feed?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)

Signs Clamped fins, fins held close to the body Frayed fins Bloating Enlargement of the eyes Erratic swimming and shimmying Drifting close to the bottom or gasping for air at surface Scraping themselves on plants or filters Loss of appetite White spots on fins or body Parasites on body Cottonlike patches on fins or body Fish that are normally active remaining still

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

SicknessSickness

Plants?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!

SubstratesSubstrates

Fill tank ¼ inchFill tank ¼ inch Coral gravelCoral gravel

Crushed coral; porous Crushed coral; porous Easy to cleanEasy to clean InexpensiveInexpensive Bacteria growthBacteria growth

FlouriteFlourite Enhanced with nutrients to sustain plantsEnhanced with nutrients to sustain plants

SandSand

*Safety!!!!* *Safety!!!!* Pull out all décor clean/rinse, and put on table Wash and rinse out the empty aquarium. Do not allow any gravel to go down

the drain! Wipe off the lid. Plug it in and make sure the light works. Wash the filter. Remove as much algae as possible. Wash any gravel you want to use thoroughly before you put it in your aquarium.

Do not allow any gravel to go down the drain! Put the gravel in the aquarium. Fill the aquarium with water. Attach the filter to the side of the aquarium. Prime it (put water in it). Plug it in to

see if it works. Wash and rinse any and all toys you plan on putting in your aquarium. Place them in the aquarium. Remember, fish like “structure” so that they can

hide and play! Get an air compressor, hose and air stone from me. Use only hose to allow you

to put the air stone on the bottom where you want it. Plug in the air compressor. Put the lid on your aquarium and allow to set up. If you have a marine aquarium, calculate how much salt you’ll need and get your

calculations checked by me before adding salt to the tank, then be sure and check the level daily. Use a hydrometer to measure the salt levels. The recommended specific gravity is 1.020 to 1.024.

Set Up Day 1Set Up Day 1

Day 2Day 2

Drain 50%Drain 50% RefillRefill Add water conditionerAdd water conditioner Marine aquariums add live rockMarine aquariums add live rock

How to Reseal a TankHow to Reseal a Tank

Empty the aquarium of water and dry it Empty the aquarium of water and dry it completely with absorbent paper towels. Set completely with absorbent paper towels. Set the aquarium on a table or flat surface where the aquarium on a table or flat surface where you can easily reach into and around it.you can easily reach into and around it.

Scrape away the old silicone from inside the Scrape away the old silicone from inside the corners and bottom of the tank using a razor corners and bottom of the tank using a razor blade or utility knife. Be careful not to scratch blade or utility knife. Be careful not to scratch the glass. Dispose of the old silicone when the glass. Dispose of the old silicone when you are finished.you are finished.

How to Reseal a TankHow to Reseal a Tank

Wipe down the surfaces of the tank with Wipe down the surfaces of the tank with rubbing alcohol and a paper towel or rubbing alcohol and a paper towel or cotton swap. Pay particular attention to the cotton swap. Pay particular attention to the corners of the tank and feel for any bits of corners of the tank and feel for any bits of silicone that you may have missed. Scrape silicone that you may have missed. Scrape away any leftover silicone with a razor away any leftover silicone with a razor blade and clean the tank thoroughly with blade and clean the tank thoroughly with the alcohol, then let it dry.the alcohol, then let it dry.

How to Reseal a TankHow to Reseal a Tank Fill a small container with rubbing alcohol and place Fill a small container with rubbing alcohol and place

it inside the tank. Coat your fingers with the alcohol it inside the tank. Coat your fingers with the alcohol before spreading the silicone so it does not stick to before spreading the silicone so it does not stick to your fingers.your fingers.

Cut the tip off the silicone tube with your razor blade Cut the tip off the silicone tube with your razor blade or utility knife and apply a generous bead of silicone or utility knife and apply a generous bead of silicone all the way down one edge of the tank. Quickly dip all the way down one edge of the tank. Quickly dip your fingers into the rubbing alcohol then use them your fingers into the rubbing alcohol then use them to spread the silicone into the cracks and corners to spread the silicone into the cracks and corners and to smooth away any air bubbles. Wipe your and to smooth away any air bubbles. Wipe your fingers on a paper towel before moving on.fingers on a paper towel before moving on.

How to Reseal a TankHow to Reseal a Tank

Finish the other sides of the aquarium in the Finish the other sides of the aquarium in the same manner by applying the silicone and same manner by applying the silicone and spreading it with your fingers. Pay extra spreading it with your fingers. Pay extra attention to the corners, being sure to press attention to the corners, being sure to press the silicone as far into the corners of the tank the silicone as far into the corners of the tank as possible to prevent leaks.as possible to prevent leaks.

Allow the silicone to dry for 24 hours then Allow the silicone to dry for 24 hours then examine the tank. If you see any areas where examine the tank. If you see any areas where the silicone is layered too thin add another the silicone is layered too thin add another coat and allow it to dry for another 24 hours.coat and allow it to dry for another 24 hours.

How to Reseal a TankHow to Reseal a Tank

Allow the silicone to cure for a full 48 hours Allow the silicone to cure for a full 48 hours before going back and cleaning up your work. before going back and cleaning up your work. Scrape away any spills with rubbing alcohol Scrape away any spills with rubbing alcohol and a razor blade.and a razor blade.

Rinse the tank well to remove any traces of Rinse the tank well to remove any traces of rubbing alcohol then fill it to test it for water rubbing alcohol then fill it to test it for water tightness. If the tank does not leak after being tightness. If the tank does not leak after being full for 24 hours it is considered safe to use.full for 24 hours it is considered safe to use.

Tips and WarningsTips and Warnings To get silicone off your hands, coat them with mineral spirits or To get silicone off your hands, coat them with mineral spirits or

rubbing alcohol and wipe them with paper towels. After you have rubbing alcohol and wipe them with paper towels. After you have removed the silicone, wash your hands normally with soap and removed the silicone, wash your hands normally with soap and water.water.

Execute all tasks in a well-ventilated area to prevent the inhalation Execute all tasks in a well-ventilated area to prevent the inhalation of fumes from the rubbing alcohol. Wear protective eye wear.of fumes from the rubbing alcohol. Wear protective eye wear.

Only 100 percent rubber silicone sealant or aquarium sealant is Only 100 percent rubber silicone sealant or aquarium sealant is recommended for use on your tank. Other types of silicone sealant recommended for use on your tank. Other types of silicone sealant may contain ingredients that could be harmful to your fish.may contain ingredients that could be harmful to your fish.