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Periodic removal of the algae that has grown inside of an algae scrubber removes nutrients (ammonia, nitrate, phosphate) from the aquarium water, thus providing the needed filtration. An algae scrubber is a water filtering device which uses light to grow algae; in this process, undesirable chemicals are removed from the water. [1]
The processed ammonia is converted to nitrite, which is then processed to nitrate. Weekly water changes (25% of aquarium volume), while vacuuming debris from the bottom of the tank, can solve this problem of nitrate build-up, provided the tank is not overcrowded. Build-up of algae is largely related to light level and mineral imbalance.
Schematic representation of the flow of Nitrogen through a common aquarium. Ammonia poisoning is a common fish disease in new aquariums, especially when immediately stocked to full capacity. Ideally, the level of ammonia (NH 3) and ammonium compounds (i.e. those containing NH 4 +) in fish tanks should be zero.
In the natural environment these nitrates are subsequently taken up by plants as fertilizer and this does indeed happen to some extent in an aquarium planted with real plants. An aquarium is, however, an imperfect microcosm of the natural world. Aquariums are usually much more densely stocked with fish than the natural environment.
On the downside, T-5 lighting is the most expensive type fluorescent lighting available. Many times it is much cheaper per watt, especially in the long run with the multiple T-5 bulbs being replaced, to use an equivalent metal halide light setup over a T-5 setup if such high light output is required.
Human health effects of eutrophication derive from two main issues excess nitrate in drinking water and exposure to toxic algae. [43] Nitrates in drinking water can cause blue baby syndrome in infants and can react with chemicals used to treat water to create disinfection by-products in drinking water. [44]
Ingesting too much nitrite and/or nitrate through well water is suspected to cause methemoglobinemia. [17] 95% of the nitrite ingested in modern diets comes from bacterial conversion of nitrates naturally found in vegetables. [18] However, potentially cancer-causing nitroso compounds are not made in the pH-neutral colon.
Nutrient pollution, a form of water pollution, refers to contamination by excessive inputs of nutrients.It is a primary cause of eutrophication of surface waters (lakes, rivers and coastal waters), in which excess nutrients, usually nitrogen or phosphorus, stimulate algal growth. [1]