updated 29-5-05
The Aquarium Hobbyist Forum
Home Tank
Setup features and tips
World ecology is a very interesting field but, in this paticular forum, we will examine personal enjoyment of many species of aquatic life that can be kept in a home aquarium. Both fresh and brackish water strata will be addressed (as I have limited experience with saline or salt water). My specific training is in water chemistry so questions of a technical nature will be entertained.
Postings will be ongoing and will appear here without notification.
posted 21-4-05 by Exomerlin
pH or the 'power of hydrogen' is the single most important factor of aquarium water chemistry. This is the simple measurement of the alkalinity or acidity of the water (or stratum). In technical terms, it is a measurement of the number of free hydrogen ions that can attach to other contituants in the stratum to 'dissolve' or contain them in the solution.
Why is it important? It is the single regulator for all the other materials that will be introduced into the water - oxygen, carbon diaoxide, fish wastes, decaying food wastes etc.
If only one concept is realized from this posting it should be something called 'preferential reaction'. Carbon dioxide prefers to dissolve in water, like it does in your favorite carbonated soft drink. When you aggitate or shake your soda, it fizzes, releasing the carbon dioxide to the air. This is the simple prefered reaction that must occur in your fish tank only to a lesser degree.
We will discuss that in some detail here with the use of illustration in a future posting may 15, 2005.
posted 29-4-05 by Nemrus
But fish need oxygen, how can so much carbon dioxide be good for them?
The author has a personal interest in aquaria and closed eco-system aquatic studies. An acomplished aquarist and captive breeder of freshwater tropicals for over 20 years, some of the practical tips may be of interest
Your interest is appreciated and I would prefer if you will use the link below to email me directly at(comments are valued also) :
Contributions by the moderator will have the signature "Exomerlin"
To send email - fish@briendale.mailshell.com
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