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Learning Intention: Student learn about how to monitor the water quality in their aquarium. Students will learn to test the water for the following:
– nitrate concentration
– phosphate concentration
– temperature
– pH
– nutrients
– protein
– sediment
Teacher to give students a copy of a coloured version of a water testing cheat sheet. This should be glued into their book and used throughout the semester when testing the water quality of their fish tank.
Taking water samples readings accurately
When you take a water sample from the tank to be tested, it is important to:
Use a clean container to collect your sample - a clean, washed plastic canister.
Never put your fingers or hands into the tank water - particularly if you have recently used or handled soap, deodorants or chemicals etc.
Ensure you have enough sample to perform the tests.
Rinse out the test tubes before and after use (use testing kits test tubes).
Accurately measure and use 5 ml samples for each test (ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, pH and high range pH if applicable).
If you get a reading of 7.6 for pH you will need to do an extra test for high range pH and use that reading in your logbook.
Place the correct lids on the reagent bottles.
Return all of the kits to the correct area and report any bottles that might be low or missing.
Record your readings in your aquarium logbook as you go ( ammonia and nitrate are similar colours so make sure you know which one is which.
Wash your hands thoroughly.
Extension
Research the following questions and write the answers into your workbook?
What is an aquarium?
What are two things that animals produce that can affect water quality?
Why must town water be checked before using it in an aquarium?
What happens to the dissolved oxygen as water is boiled?
What does the term ' water conditioning' refer to and for how many weeks should water be conditioned?
What is an under- gravel filter and what should it contain?
What are some common micro-organisms found in the under-gravel filter of a marine aquarium?
What is a trickle filter and how is it different from an under-gravel filter?
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