Aquarium Water Chemistry

Introduction

Coral Reefs are the source of colourful fish and invertebrates for marine aquariums. Coral reefs are found only where specific physical and chemical conitions occur in the sea. Understanding the reef environment is fundamental to successfully maintaining coral reef animals in our aquariums.

Topics to cover: Basic saltwater management, understanding what is water quality, basic chemistry. Table giving the marine aquarium water quality parameters.

Sea Water

Our world is 75% water, despite this our sea water is quite similar in chemical composition thoughout. Understanding the special properties is an important skill for marine aquarium keeping.

Topics to cover: Water Hardness and Alkalinity, Natural sea water, synthetic sea water and salinity.

Bio Chemical Cycles and Fluctuating Conditions

Marine Aquariums develop into miniature ecosystems that will copy the ocean to a remarkable degree. In the marine aquarium dynamic cyclical processes affect aquarium water chemistry. Waste detoxification and acid base balance are critical to the survival of marine life.

Topics to cover: Effects of mircoscopic life, Nitrogen Cycle, Carbon Cycle and acid base balance.

Dissolved Components

Substances dissolved in the sea water can have profound biological effects. Oxygen, calcuim, phosphorus, iodine and trace ions each affect marine organisms, depending on the concentrations. Relatively small fluctuations in the concentrations of dissolved components can have a large effect on marine life.

Topics to cover: Oxygen, calcuim, phosphorus, iodine and trace ions

Water Analysis

Proper marine aquarium management requires periodic testing. Selecting good test kits and using them properly is therefore an important skill to master. Besides chemial tests, aquarists can use electronic instruments for fast and accurate assessments of the aquarium water chemistry.

Topics to cover: Water Analysis - How often?, choosing your Water Analysis test kits, water analysis testing techniques, record keeping, instrumentation and electronic monitoring, how to perform a chemical water test.