Water Quality Anyalysis

 Why analyze nitrate?  High concentrations of nitrate indicate high levels pollution, and promote the growth of algae.  Concentrations over 100 mg/L increases stress and decreases the capacity to fight disease.  Where is it produced?  Nitrate gradually increases over time in our aquarium.  Excess food, fecal material “POOP”, and dead plant/animal matter all decompose to produce nitrates through the nitrogen cycle.  Caused from over-feeding and over-population.  How fixed  Partial water changeout. Nitrate (NO 3 )

 Why analyze nitrite?  Concentrations that are high inhibit oxygen transport in the blood. Nitrite binds with hemoglobin causing suffocation. Nitrite levels greater than 0.3 mg/L (0.3 ppm) are potentially dangerous.  Where is it produced?  Generated through ammonia oxidation by nitrifying bacteria. Nitrite is usually high when the aquarium is initially set up. A sudden spike in nitrite indicates a dangerous imbalance in the system.  How fixed  Immediately perform a 20% water change out. Nitrite (NO 2 )

 Why analyze Ammonia?  The presence of ammonia in aquariums can be a source of many problems. Ammonia should not be measureable. Levels above 1.2 mg/L (1.2 ppm) in an alkaline (pH above 8.0) tank are toxic to aquatic organisms.  Where is it produced?  Produced by fish respiration and the decay of waste products. The decomposition of excess food, dead leaves and fish also produces ammonia. The pH of the water can increase levels of toxic ammonia. Toxic ammonia will increase exponentially with increasing pH.  How fixed  A 20% water changeout the first day ammonia is noticed. Followed by no feeding and consecutive 20% changeouts each day until ammonia is not present. Ammonia (NH 3 )

 Why analyze Dissolved Oxygen?  Dissolved oxygen is important to salmon as they need oxygen to survive. In the process of respiration salmon take in oxygen and glucose to create energy.  Where is it produced?  Dissolved oxygen is dissolved from the atmosphere. Aquatic plants produced oxygen that is then dissolved in water. In the process of respiration fish and other organisms use dissolved oxygen.  How fixed  Decrease the tank temperature. The colder water is the more dissolved gasses that it absorbs. An aerator may help supply atmospheric oxygen to the water as well. Dissolved Oxygen (O)

 What is pH?  pH represents the concentration of H+ ions in a liquid solution. This concentration of H+ ions determines if water is acidic, neutral or basic (alkaline). The scale of pH is from Neutral is 7.0. Acidic pH is under 7.0 and alkaline (basic) is over 7.0.  Why analyze pH?  pH is extremely important in our tank because many biological processes depend on it. pH plays an important role in the blood systems of aquatic organisms. It also affects the toxicity of ammonia present. When pH is high, the concentration of toxic ammonia (NH3) is greater. When pH is below 7.0, most of the ammonia is in a nontoxic form (NH4+).  How fixed  20% water change-outs help regulate pH to an appropriate amount. Potential Hydrogen (pH)

 Why analyze Temperature?  Temperature is one of the most critical factors in salmonoid incubation. Salmon at any stage need cold, clean, oxygenated water to survive and optimal temperatures vary depending on the species and life stage. The cooler the water, the slower the development, while warmer waters cause development to speed up.  How fixed  If water temperature becomes too high it is easy to cool by collecting ice from the ice machine in the weight room and placing it in a large trash bag (unused). Ice should not be put directly into the tank as we cannot assure the safely of the water from this water source. Temperature (°F / °C)