Week 6 BPN1

The final results

NO3: 0-10
NO2: 0
GH:0
KH: 3-6
pH:6.4-6.8

Nitrate  is not nearly as toxic as nitrite, and is used by plants or algae to help them grow.

Nitrate (NO₃): An important plant nutrient that is soluble in water and may cause health problems if consumed in large amounts.

Nitrate-nitrogen (NO₃-N): Relates to the actual nitrogen in nitrate. Multiply NO₃-N values by 4.4 to convert to nitrate.

A range between 0-10 is enough for the plant inorder for it to live and grow yrt little enough for the fish not to be affected.

• Nitrites is  toxic to fish aswel and must be converted to nitrate by bacteria.

Ammonia,  are a byproducts of waste breaking down in an aquarium, and all are toxic at some level to your fish and plant life. A significant amount of fish and plant waste can accumulate in any tank, as well as uneaten food, algae, and bacteria. As in all environments, this waste needs to be broken down and either eliminated or turned into something which can be utilized by another organism. In an aquarium, there is a population of bacteria that is responsible for this process.

This ammonia is very toxic to fish and must be converted to nitrite by bacteria.

Because high levels of ammonia and nitrite are lethal for fish, it is critical that these products be efficiently removed or converted to nitrate. Nitrate, nitrite and ammonia can also be removed through weekly water changes

• pH

pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a substance. pH is measured on a scale of 1-14 with 7 being neutral. Something with a pH lower than 7 is acidic. Something with a pH higher than 7 is basic. Water has a pH of 7 naturally, but the water you are using in your tank will be different because of the chemicals that are suspended or dissolved in the water. These chemicals fall into three categories: acids, bases, and buffers. Acids are chemicals that lower the pH, or make the water more acidic. Bases are chemicals that raise the pH of the water, or make it more basic (or alkaline). Buffers are chemicals that can 'tie up' acids or bases and keep the water at a specific pH. Different buffers will keep the pH at different values.

Ours is between 6.4 and 6.8 which is a bit acidic but still tolerable for both the fish and plant.