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All RAS relies on biofiltration to convert ammonia (NH 4 + and NH 3) excreted by the fish into nitrate. [4] Ammonia is a waste product of fish metabolism and high concentrations (>.02 mg/L) are toxic to most finfish. [5] Nitrifying bacteria are chemoautotrophs that convert ammonia into nitrite (NO 2 −) then nitrate (NO 3 −).
Nitrates should not exceed 2 ppm in reef tanks, or 20 ppm in fish-only tanks. It is sometimes acceptable to have a small amount of nitrate buildup, as some livestock, especially fish, are fairly tolerant of nitrate. Most corals, while able to assimilate nitrate, cannot be expected to survive, much less thrive, with high nitrate concentrations.
Canister filters were initially designed to filter drinking water, under low pressure. Canister filters for aquariums [17] use high water pressure, from a properly powered pump, to force water through the dense filter media. A pump can draw water from an under-gravel filter, and run it into a canister for double filtration.
The source of ammonia in fish tanks is fish's excretion. [1] Fish excrete ammonia as a nitrogenous waste product. A build-up of ammonia in the fish tank leads to ammonia poisoning. Species of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) can break down the ammonia and convert it to other, less toxic, nitrogen products.
A deep sand bed is commonly defined as a bed of fine sand with a minimum depth of four to six inches which ensures that a portion of the sand at the bottom will not be exposed to significant circulation of water.
However, in most cases it is necessary to frequently clean raceways. The simplest way is to lower the water level in the raceway units, which increases the speed of the water current, and then herd the fish together till they flush the waste from the raceway. [17] Solid wastes which accumulate at the raceway bottom can be removed by pumps. [19]
Nitrate levels also contribute to eutrophication, a process in which large algal blooms reduce oxygen levels in bodies of water and lead to death in oxygen-consuming creatures due to anoxia. Nitrification is also thought to contribute to the formation of photochemical smog, ground-level ozone, acid rain , changes in species diversity , and ...
Fish surgeons can also adjust the buoyancy of the fish by placing a stone in the swim bladder or performing a partial removal of the bladder. [ 2 ] In order to prevent this disease, keep the tank as clean as possible, make sure the temperature is slightly higher than normal to aid in digestion, and, most importantly, feed the fish highly ...