Interpreting Water Quality Data

Unfortunately, the line graph I created on the computer cannot be uploaded due to some technical difficulties that I do not understand (this is aquatic science, not computer science, after all). I have decided to list my data in different colors, because that's always a blast.

Ammonia (ppm): 

• 4/9: 0
• 4/12: 0
• 4/15: 0
• 4/18: 0.13
• 4/21: 0
• 4/24:0
• 4/27: 0
• 4/30: 0
• 5/3: 0
• 5/6: 0.13
• 5/9: 0.13
• 5/12: 0.13
• 5/15: 0.13
• 5/18: 0
• 5/21: 0
• 5/24: 0

Nitrate (ppm):

• 4/9: 0
• 4/12: 0
• 4/15: 10
• 4/18: 20
• 4/21: 0
• 4/24: 0
• 4/27: 0
• 4/30: 0
• 5/3: 10
• 5/6: 10
• 5/9: 10
• 5/12: 10
• 5/15: 20
• 5/18: 0
• 5/21: 10
• 5/24: 0

As shown by the data above, my ammonia and nitrate levels remained relatively low throughout the duration of the project. This is due to the fact that I paid close attention to my water quality and regularly changed Benson's water. Nitrate levels were generally higher than ammonia levels because nitrate is not nearly as toxic as ammonia. Plus, ammonia is converted by nitrosomonas bacteria into nitrites, which are then converted by nitrobacter into nitrates. This means that nitrates are more abundant than ammonia in healthy water where the bacteria are doing their jobs.

Changes in Benson's Ecosystem Over Time

Until recently, Benson's ecosystem never changed much; most of the interesting observations I took note of were about Benson himself. Since his old tank was miserably small, I couldn't fit many decorations in there, so I usually just moved his decoration and plants around a bit whenever I changed his water to spice things up a tad. But Benson didn't truly know the meaning of spice until I got him his new tank, which was when his ecosystem drastically changed. His water quality is still in check, which is something I always kept a close eye on, but now he has more space, more things to explore (more plants and decorations), and an overall happier and more stimulating environment.

Before: Benson's boring old ecosystem

After: Sassy fresh! Fabuuuuloooouuuus!

5 Things I've Learned From the Aquarium Project

1. Bettas are actually intelligent, interactive animals and are aware of their surroundings. They can be trained   to do tricks such as jumping and swimming through hoops.

2. Though bettas can survive in small spaces (such as store containers) for short periods of time, it is best to keep them in larger tanks to give them plenty of space and keep them happy and healthy. Betta fish can survive, but not thrive, in smaller spaces.

3. Fish can't survive in plain tap water. Tap water contains chlorine, which will kill fish instantly. Water needs to be treated with dechlorinator before it is safe for fish.

4. Water changes are important because they reduce the levels of toxins such as ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates.

5. It is beneficial to have plants in your aquarium because they remove nitrates and increase levels of dissolved oxygen.

I have learned a lot from this project, and caring for Benson has been an amazing journey that I look forward to continuing. The only thing I would change for next year would be to give just a little more time to spend with our fish. Some days we had more sufficient amounts of time, but sometimes there wasn't enough time to feed our fish, record observations, practice training our fish, play with our fish, test water quality, and change the water within a limited frame of time.

Benson's New Crib

I'd been counting down the days until I could finally take Benson home for good, so by the time that sweet day finally came, I was prepared. I had all sorts of stuff waiting for him at home, but while I was at school and on the way to my house, he had to chill out in a plastic cup. Evidently, I seem to have accidentally failed to save the picture I took of him in the cup, but fortunately, there is the power of imagination. It was clear, plasticy, cuptastic, and had water and a fish in it. It's not a picture, but you get the idea. Anyway, Benson didn't seem too thrilled to be in such a tiny space, but I knew he'd only be that much happier to be in his brand new tank!

Before I poured all of the water out of his tank, I did one last water check. Since I had just cleaned the tank, ammonia and nitrate levels were at 0 ppm. It didn't matter a whole lot since he would be in his new tank within an hour and a half or so, but I at least felt secure in the fact that he'd be traveling in a cup of clean water on the way home.

And now, for the exciting part: Benson's bouncin' new crib!

In order to give him some more space, I upgraded him to 3 gallons. His new tank features a filter, a bubbler, and an LED light that changes colors automatically. It's quite the party! He also has two live plants and a little "house" to swim through. I plan to switch out the decorations every now and then to keep things exciting for him, but for now, his current set-up is working out splendidly. I have added a thermometer into his tank as well, and I plan to get some overhead lighting to brighten up the area where his tank is. So far, Benson has had fun exploring his new home and is adjusting well, so I look forward to having more fun adventures with my bubble blowin' betta buddy!

Invasive Plants

Invasive plants are non-native weeds that take over the areas they inhabit and are nearly impossible to get rid of. They are not an issue in their native environments because certain conditions, such as consumers, keep them in check. However, the animals that ate the plants in their native region are not abundant here or would cause further problems (such as eating native plants) if they were introduced here.

Eurasian Watermilfoil, originally from Eurasia and introduced to America in the 1950s, is a submergent green plant with a red stem when actively growing. It reproduces by seed fragments and is spread by boats, trailers, and birds. In addition to impeding navigation, it shades out and displaces native vegetation.

Eurasian Watermilfoil

Alligator Weed is an emergent plant from South America. It has white flowers and is a mat-forming perennial, which leads to the displacement of native vegetation and impedes navigation. It spreads through seeds or plant fragments.

Alligator Weed

Giant Salvinia is a free floating aquatic fern with hairlike structures that resemble egg beaters. This South American weed is also known as "Plant from Hell" because it decreases dissolved oxygen levels in water, kills organisms in lakes, displaces native vegetation, impedes navigation, and is nearly impossible to eradicate. It reproduces through buds.

Giant Salvinia

My Ecosystem's Water Quality

The main thing I've learned about water quality in Benson's ecosystem is how important it is to maintain clean water in order to prevent levels of certain toxins from becoming too high. For example, even a tiny trace of chlorine in water will kill fish, so it is crucial to add dechlorinator to water (unless you're a psycho fish killer, but that's not the cool thing to be). Ammonia is extremely toxic to fish in high amounts, so it is important to keep an eye on ammonia levels as well. If the ammonia level seems too high, adding bacterial supplement can help to break down the ammonia into nitrites, which are then further broken down into nitrates.Nitrates can be regulated and removed by adding plants and changing water. Other than the time some dirty, rotten criminal clouded up my water by dropping a bunch of food in my tank, I have had no problems with water quality. My ammonia levels have never risen above about .13 ppm, and my nitrate levels have stayed at 20 ppm or less (though they were usually between 0 and 10 ppm).

Something Mighty Fishy Occurred....

It all happened on a seemingly normal afternoon. I walked into the aquatic science room, eager as ever to see my beautiful fish baby. I pranced happily to his tank to feed him and play with him, but upon observing the surface of the water, I stopped dead in my tracks. Floating on the surface of the water were about 50 pellets of food (I feed him 4 a day), and let me tell ya: I did NOT put them there! My tank has a lid with a hatch that closes, so someone had to go out of there way to deliberately tamper with MY fish. My tank literally has my name on it, so I don't know what kind of whippersnapper thought it would be a good idea to try to involve me and Benson in such wacky and unnecessary shenanigans. I was mad-- REAL mad. My blood boiled and bubbled as I skimmed the pellets off of the surface of the water, muttering lots of words under my breath that are not appropriate for a school blog.

My fiery blood was bubbly, kind of like Benson's bubble nest.

The following day, I found that Benson's water was terribly cloudy, which struck me as odd since I had JUST CLEANED IT TWO FREAKING DAYS AGO! I instantly figured that it was a result of food pellets that had settled on the bottom of his tank and dissolved in the water. I was irritated that I had to clean up the mess made by some sicko, but at least I was able to restore my water to perfect quality: 0 ppm of ammonia and nitrate. Though I was upset that someone had messed with my tank, I was ultimately relieved and happy to see that Benson was unharmed.