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What is Water Quality?
We all mention “maintain good water quality” or “that fish needs prefect water quality”. So what’s water Quality? Water Quality may be defined in terms of the biological needs of its inhabitants of the aquarium.
If the physical and chemical parameters of the marine water are within acceptable ranges for the community of species housed in the tank, then your aquarium is said to have appropriate water quality. Target water parameters are based upon knowledge of the habitants and there needs. For coral reef aquariums the water parameters can be precisely defined.
Determining the carrying capacity of a marine aquarium, that is estimating the total number of fish that can be maintained successfully. There are many variables ranging from design of filtration system, metabolism of individual species, etc. Most experienced hobbyists will base there calculations on experience and they will advise beginners to start slowly and add fish progressively.
It’s easier to check if the system is running under capcity by doing simply tests for nitrogen compounds, pH, dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide. Comparing these values with the given normal reading will show you if your system is under capacity, acceptable ranges of water quality has been established with years of experience and research.
There is 3 major biological activities that operate within an established marine aquarium, that is:
- Nitrogen Cycle
- Photosynthesis
- and food web formation.
Nitrogen cycling is the exchange of compounds containing nitrogen among organisms in a food web It is facilitated by bacterial activity as wellas the metabolism of higher rganisms manily fish. Photosynthesis is the process by which plans and algae use sunlight to form food mocules from carbon dioxide and water. A food web can be defined as organisma that are ecologically related to each other as prey and predator.
The above 3 processes constantly change the water chemistry of the water within a confined marine aquarium. When we find the equilbrium between these processes the changes are relatively minor over the course of time. Regular maintainence wil ensure they stay within the limits. When the aquarium is operating below its maximum capcity, chemical tests at regular intervals will show that the levels are relatively constant, but if the aquarium is over loaded and the toxic waste from the fish will overload the system and the levels of carbon dioxide and ammonia typically accumulate over time.
Marine Aquarium Water Quality Parameters can be found here.
For more information on Marine Aquarium Water Chemistry or Marine Aquarium Beginners Guide click here.
Marine Aquarium Water Quality Parameters
Marine environments are extremely stable, particularly where corals live. Significant deviations outside the range given for any of the parameters may lead to problems in the aquarium.
- Temperature: 74 to 82F (23-28 C)
- Salinity 34-36 ppt (1.0250-1.0270)
- pH 8.15-8.6 (optimum 8.2-8.3)
- Alkalinity 2.0-5.0 meq/L (6-15 dKH)
- Ammonia (NH3)-zero
- Nitrite (NO-2)-zero
- Nitrate (NO-3)-<20 mg/L (as nitrate ion)
- Nitrate (NO-3)-<4.55mg/L (as nitrate-nitrogen)
- Phosphate (PO³)-<0.05mg/L
- Calcium (Ca²+) - 375-475mg/L
- Dissolved Oxygen (O2)->6.90mg/L
For more information on Marine Aquarium Water Chemistry or Marine Aquarium Beginners Guide click here
Batfish
These usually deep bodied batfish require at least a two foot deep and wide aquarium. Young batfish are more colourful than adults and once established in their aquarium will grow quickly.
Despite their big size they are not aggressive towards other fishes but avoid species that can nip their elaborate fins. Large batfish can be destructive in a reef aquarium.
Wrasse
Wrasses are lively, active fish found in most warm seas, though the majority come from tropical waters. They tend to be colourful, displaying elaborate patterning on their bodies.
Their shape varies from elongated to deep and compressed, and significant range of sizes within the group. Larger species are too big for the home aquarium.
They are hard to maintain, feed readily, but even tame species can give a painful bite if offered food by hand. Their fanglike teeth are usually applied to cracking into invertebrates, such as sea urchins which form their natural diet.
Lionfish and Scorpionfish
Lionfish and Scorpionfish are beautifully but potentially deadly, the members of this family are equipped with a painful venom. Their tank needs to be serviced with great care, because it is easy to catch your hand on one of the stinging spies.
Transferring fish between tanks also needs to be carried out with caution. Never be tempted to use your hands, so use a net that large enough to hold the whole fish and transfer, remove the fish by inverting the net carefully to let the fish swim out on its own.
