1. Setting up and maintaining a healthy aquarium ecosystem
Aquarium Lab
Setting up and maintaining a healthy aquarium ecosystem

2. Safety Electrocution!!!!!!!!! Need Drip Loops on plugs
Glass aquariums can break
Slipping on water on the floor
Cleanliness

3. 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
Maintaining Cleanliness
Don’t overfeed your fish!
Make a 25% water change once a month
Vacuum gravel periodically

4. Tank Set-up Situate tank where it will stay before adding anything!
Add in gravel, water, decor, then fish
Use natural or aquarium decor- simulate habitat
ALWAYS add water condition to remove chlorine & chloramine from tap water

5. Light Natural lighting is best for fish
Florescent/UV lights are also acceptable
Black lights can be harmful

6. Hood/Cover Aquariums must be covered so that fish don’t leap out
A hood can also house the lighting
Be careful not to get light in the water….electrocution!!!

7. 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

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

9. 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
Use an under gravel filter to facilitate bacterial growth

10. Filtration Mechanical filtration
Removes accumulated solids (mulm) from aquarium
Usually accomplished with mesh in an electric pump
Can also be manually removed with a gravel vacuum

11. 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

12. Water tests pH Measures acidity or alkalinity of water RangeSW
A buffer can be added in to maintain a pH or make a 25% water change

13. Water tests AmmoniaNitriteNitrate-
Released from gills of fish and decaying wastes
Range should be 0 ppm
Change 25% of water or replace carbon to lower level

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

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

16. Water level Add water to within 1’’ of top
Water must be added every so often due to evaporation
Don’t forget water conditioner!

17. Aquatic Organisms

18. 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!

19. How many? General rule- 1 inch of fish/gallon 1- 30 inch fish
Ex. A 30 gal tank can have:
1- 30 inch fish
2-15 inch fish
3-10 inch fish
30-1 inch fish

20. What to get? Helpful Websites
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
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 Websites  

21. How to add? Dumping fish in your tank from a bag can shock them
Float the bag for minutes to gradually adjust the temperature
Then, pour out half of the water in the bag and add in water from your tank
After 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”

22. 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 buying them!

23. 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

24. 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 advise……. Go plastic!

25. Remember!!
**SAFETY!!**
NO AQUARIUM WATER DOWN the Sink! Dump it outside in the drain.
Don’t let the sink run continuously.
No rocks/gravel in the sink.
Clean up after yourself.

26. Set Up Day 1
*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 is 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, add 2 boxes of salt and check the level daily. Use a hydrometer to measure the salt levels. The recommended specific gravity is to
If you have a fresh water aquarium, you may add fish after the filter and air compressor has been running for 4 days.
In observations, record your filtration type and describe how your air is supplied (where is it running from?)
Must bring in at least one of the following: towels, fish, décor, gravel, rocks

27. Day 2
Drain 50%, refill, water conditioner, C