Authors: John H. Tullock, Michelle Earle-Bridges
ISBN-13: 9780764120381, ISBN-10: 0764120387
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Barron's Educational Series, Incorporated
Date Published: March 2002
Edition: (Non-applicable)
Written by an expert on marine biology, this title is must reading for the marine aquarium hobbyist. Keeping ocean-dwelling fish and other marine life forms thriving in the synthetic environment of an aquarium requires special knowledge and care, especially in regard to water quality. The author discusses the properties of natural seawater, then gives details on how to create and maintain high-quality synthetic seawater. He describes biochemical cycles and fluctuating conditions that are normal in a flourishing marine aquarium, instructs on adding needed chemical components, and advises on water analysis test kits, instrumentation, and record keeping. Includes illustrations plus informative tables and charts.
Introduction | 5 | |
The Marine Environment | 5 | |
Basic Water Management | 7 | |
What Is Water Quality? | 10 | |
Basic Chemistry | 11 | |
Seawater | 25 | |
Water Hardness and Alkalinity | 25 | |
Natural Seawater | 26 | |
Synthetic Seawater | 30 | |
Salinity | 38 | |
Biochemical Cycles and Fluctuating Conditions | 41 | |
Effects of Microscopic Life | 41 | |
Nitrogen Cycle | 42 | |
Carbon Cycle | 50 | |
Acid-Base Balance | 51 | |
Summary | 55 | |
Dissolved Components | 57 | |
Oxygen | 57 | |
Calcium | 58 | |
Phosphorus | 59 | |
Iodine | 62 | |
Trace Ions | 62 | |
HOW-TO: Prepare and Use Limewater | 66 | |
Water Analysis | 69 | |
How Often? | 69 | |
Choosing Test Kits | 69 | |
Testing Technique | 71 | |
Record Keeping | 74 | |
Instrumentation and Electronic Monitoring | 74 | |
HOW-TO: Perform a Chemical Water Test | 78 | |
Appendices | 81 | |
Appendix A | Tables | 81 |
Appendix B | Measurements and Equivalents | 84 |
Glossary | 89 | |
Information | 92 | |
Index | 94 |