My Water Quality Data

My data is all over the place on this chart. It goes up and down constantly on here. The nitrate levels are too up and down to be linear. The levels started high, then stayed good for a little bit until they finally moved too high up. However the ammonia level are pretty consistent around a 0.25ppm, so that line could be linear as shown with the black line. They never really changed far from a 0.25, unless it was a level of 0 or 0.5. The nitrate and ammonia were still acceptable levels no matter how drastic they went up because they were always under the standards of each. Overall my data was good for a great environment.  

Aquarium Changes

Overtime an ecosystem changes and it doesn’t have to be drastic. My fish tank has changed over the past eight weeks. The nitrate levels have gone up, then down, and up again. The ammonia levels for the most part stayed constant at 0.25ppm. The temperature was always around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. My partner and I really didn’t make any changes to our aquarium. The fish at first did not get along really well, but as the weeks went on they grew to like each other. Throughout the eight weeks there was not much algae growth. There may have been a little, but not a major change. The plants, however, changed a lot. They had plenty of leaves and were straight up in the tank. After weeks had passed, the leaves grew less and they gravitated towards the sunlight. When we put the organisms in the tank they immediately hid and then we couldn’t find them afterwards. The water level even dropped at the seventh week. Other than that, our tank didn’t change much. The water stayed clean and healthy for the fish.

Things I've Learned

The aquarium project has come to an end. I have learned a lot about aquariums and other things throughout this time. Here are just a couple of things I have learned and remember from these past weeks. 

1.  I learned how to evaluate a body of water and the order of the steps. 
2. The nitrogen cycle was also something I learned throughout this project. I was taught on how the plants, animals, and bacteria work together to create a healthy environment in the fish tank. 
3. Not only did I learn the nitrogen cycle, but that the nitrite in the cycle is the most toxic out of them all. It can kill the fish and the ecosystem. 
4. Besides that, I learned how to make more in depth observations by observing my aquarium for weeks. You notice how things change in a period of time. 
5. I also learned about pH levels, which are good and bad for an environment. You ideally want a 6.5-7.5 level so it is nearly neutral. I learned that a pH 3 kills adult fish and pH 4 affects reproduction. 

     As for next year, I would not change anything about this project. It was fun to take care of a fish and learn at the same time. I really enjoyed it and the students next year will too. 

Aquarium

My aquarium is doing well for its last week. The water level dropped again after we had just filled it up. However, that is the only problem as of now. The plants are still alive and thriving. They are green and doing their job of controlling nitrate and producing oxygen for our fish. The two Molly fish are also doing great. They swim around the tank a lot and finally get along well. They were hungry today when we fed them. The water is still clean too with no particles. There is still not much algae in the aquarium and I can't find the organisms we put in at the beginning.

Today's water check went great though. The temperature was a nice 76 degrees Fahrenheit. Both the ammonia and nitrate levels were 0ppm. Having this perfect level means that my fish will not die because of high ammonia and nitrate levels. The plants, animals, and bacteria are doing a terrific job at keeping these levels balanced. As a result, my partner and I did not have to change our aquarium today.

Invasive Plants

Water Hyacinth

An invasive plant is a plant that is moved on purpose or accident. It is not a natural plant for the area it is found in. Generally an invasive plant is moved for food and it's unusual appearance. They have to be managed intensively or they will overgrow crops and completely take over natural ecosystem. An example of an emergent invasive plant is the Purple Loosestrife. This plant has purple flowers, grows six feet tall, and is added to wetlands for color. The Purple Loosestrife replaces native vegetation, clogs irrigation canals, and is a problem in all 50 states except Florida. A submergent plant is the Hydrilla. This invasive plant grows more than one inch per day, has no seeds, and is a submersed perennial. The problems this plant causes are impeding navigation and shades out desirable native vegetation. The free floating plant is a Water Hyacinth. The Water Hyacinth has a lavender flower, up takes nutrients in the water,the fastest growing plant, and feeds cattle. This plant causes problems by reducing oxygen levels and blocking waterways. These invasive plants are not a problem in their native areas because that is why they are there. If it's their native area, the plant is in their natural environment. However,these plants are invasive to any other area besides Eurasia, Southeast Asia, and South America. Those three plants come from those areas so it is natural for them to be there and wouldn't cause problems.

Purple Loosestrife

Hydrilla

Water Quality

Water quality is the most important thing when taking care of a fish. In order to have a fish, you need healthy water. If there is no balance, the fish will die for many reasons. The ammonia is too high over 0.50ppm and the nitrate at 40ppm. I have learned that my aquarium has stayed constant. Every time I do a water test, the results are generally in the same region each time. I have learned that your fish really do play a major role in water quality. My aquarium has had mostly success in these 7 weeks. I have not changed anything but two. I added a little extra bacteria supplement to help even out the ammonia level and added water to the tank. I have had success with everything, including the test itself. I am very good at performing the tests and have got it down. I truly have become better at keeping an aquarium. 

My Aquarium

Now it’s time for an update on my aquarium again. The fish have been doing well with each other and not fighting. They seem to be hungry everyday though because when my partner and I feed them they eat all up fairly quickly. The filter still works great and blows bubbles constantly. Our plants in the tank are green and alive with few leaves. They gravitate towards the window because of the sunlight. Along with that, the water is clean. However, last week I added more bacteria supplement because the ammonia was a little too high.

            The water was tested today and our results were terrific. The ammonia was a 0.25ppm, while the nitrate was a 5ppm. The temperature was 80 degrees Fahrenheit and no water changes were made. The levels were acceptable for the fish to be living in and survive. Having said this, the fish will not die because of high ammonia and nitrate levels. We don’t have to make any changes because right now, the aquarium is perfect. The fish are alive and the water is clean.