Nemo and Friends…Dead or Alive???

The nitrogen cycle and how to save Nemo

and his friends!!

What does Nemo need to survive?

What is different about Nemo (and other fish) living in the ocean vs leaving in your tank?

Our Closed System

• What happens to fish waste, extra food and decaying plants?

3 Stages of the Nitrogen Cycle • Stage 1

– Organic matter (aka fish poo) is broken down into Ammonia (NH3)– Toxic to fish in high levels

• Stage 2– Nitrosomonas bateria oxidize the ammonia, which eliminates it– The Byproduct of this process is Nitrite (NO2

−)– Still toxic to fish in high levels

• Stage 3– Nitrobacter Bacteria then convert Nitrite (NO2

−) to Nitrate (NO3−)

– Nitrate is less toxic to fish• Partial water changes (in addition to the bateria) help keep Ammonia levels

low.• The bacteria converting the chemical compounds is an example of biological

and chemical processes occurring in the water.

Nitrogen Cycle

Nitrogen Cycle in Nature

Human’s Impact on Nitrogen Cycle

Thoughts on Global Sustainability

• Global Sustainability: Practices that allow the earth to continue to support future generations.

• Can humans cause imbalance in the nitrogen cycle?

• Can this be harmful for sustainability?• How can we help?

Human’s Impact on Nitrogen Cycle

Water Quality Parameters for Saltwater Tanks:

• Temperate Range= 24-27 Celsius • Specific Gravity (Hydrometer)= 1.019-1.024• pH= 7.9-8.4• Ammonia (NH3)= 0ppm • Nitrite= 0ppm• Nitrate= less then 20ppm