How do live plants affect the nitrogen cycle of a freshwater aquarium?
Project Introduction:
For this project as a group we are experimenting with fish in freshwater aquariums. We each came up with an idea that we wanted to execute and test on our fish. Each group has a role that you are assigned. We are learning all about ecology and specifically we learned about the anatomy/behavior of fish. We learned about enviormental sciene and how organisms affect us. Our experiment was to see which specific plants would work better for our freshwater aquarium and if the live plants will show a drastic change in our water chemistry. This was impotant for us do to because we get to see both sides of the animals behavior and the water chemistry. We had to come up with schedules and methods on how we were going to accomplish this experiment. It was a month long experiment.
Group Members:
Research Question:
How do live plants affect the nitrogen cycle of a freshwater aquarium? |
Hypothesis:
Live plants will decrease nitrite levels in the tank compared to artificial plants. |
Alternative:
Live plants will increase nitrite levels compared to artificial plants. |
Null:
There will be no difference in nitrite levels in the aquarium with live plants compared to artificial plants. |
Variables for our Experiment:
Controlled Variable:
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Independent Vocab:
This word mean what the scientist changes in their experiment to get different results. Our experiments independent variable: We changed the the fake plants to real plants in our tank to see how it would affect the water levels and the fishes health. |
Dependent Vocab:
This word mean what the scientist focuses on during this experiment through observation. Our experiments dependent variable: We observe the ammonia, ph, nitrite and nitrate levels. While also observing the fishes health every day to see if their are any changes. |
Methods:
Artificial Plants
Week 1: Specifically collecting data of nitrite, nitrate, pH and ammonia Collect data every day with water test (Mon-Fri) Feed fish every morning (Mon-Fri) Water Change w/siphon and top off tank (Friday) Week 2: Specifically collecting data of nitrite, nitrate, pH and ammonia Collect data every day with water test (Mon-Fri) Feed fish every morning (Mon-Fri) Water Change w/siphon and top off tank with water hose (Friday) Make graphs of data collected |
Real Plants
Week 3: Specifically collecting data of nitrite, nitrate, pH and ammonia Switch out artificial plants to natural plants Feed fish every morning (Mon-Fri) Collect data every day with water test (Mon-Fri) Water Change w/siphon and top off tank with water hose (Friday Week 4: Specifically collecting data of nitrite, nitrate, pH and ammonia Feed fish every morning (Mon-Fri) Collect data every day with water test (Mon-Fri) Make graphs of data collected Compare data of artificial plants with natural plants |
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Experiment Results:
Live/Artifical Ammonia + pH Levels
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Live/Artificial Ammonia + pH Levels
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Figure 1. Chart of Ammonia & PH levels in our tankThis graph represents the results we got from having live and artificial plants in our tank. The results specifically show the ammonia and pH levels. We combined all the data together.
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Figure 2. Chart of Nitrite & Nitrate levels in our tankThis graph shows the results of having artificial and live plants in our aquarium. We show the nitrite and nitrate results and we combined them together.
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Literature Review:
- Dockett, Eric. “Live vs. Artificial Aquarium Plants: Which Is Better?” PetHelpful, PetHelpful, 8 Sept. 2017, pethelpful.com/fish-aquariums/Live-vs-Artificial-Aquarium-Plants.
- Dr.Fosers and Smith educational staff. “10 Reasons to Aquascape with Artificial Plants.”Untitled Document, Drs. Foster & Smith Educational Staff, 2017, www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?articleid=945.
- Kenneth E. Corpron David A.Armstrong. “Removal of Nitrogen by an Aquatic Plant, Elodea Densa, in Recirculating Macrobrachium Culture Systems.” Aquaculture, Elsevier, 3 Oct. 2003, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0044848683902326.
- Sharpe, Shirlie. “The Pros and Cons of Real Aquatic Plants Vs Artificial Aquarium Plants.”The Spruce, The Spruce , 1 Sept. 2017, www.thespruce.com/real-or-artificial-aquarium-plants-1378702.
- Xian-NingLiaHai-LiangSongaWeiLiaXi-WuLuaOsamuNishimurab. “An Integrated Ecological Floating-Bed Employing Plant, Freshwater Clam and Biofilm Carrier for Purification of Eutrophic Water.” Ecological Engineering, Elsevier, 16 Dec. 2009, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S092585740900281X