Project Introduction
After learning about the nitrogen cycle, we became curious about how plants can play a role. This became our focus topic for our experiment and began to do some research about what other scientists have found. According to Owen James, live plants in a well kept tank should add to the dissolved oxygen levels of the water which would sustain a more natural and healthy environment(1). Additionally, another writer states that live plants can improve the quality of life for the fish; live plants provide a natural snack for the fish and keep a more clean aquarium(2). To summarize, "adding live plants in your aquarium helps recreate a natural ecosystem in miniature, and may be one of the most beneficial ways to keep your fish healthy(3)."
Our Research Question: How do live plants affect the water chemistry of a freshwater aquarium?
Hypothesis: Live plants will decrease the amount of nitrates in the water.
Alternative Hypothesis: Live plants will increase the nitrates levels in theaquarium compared to no plants.
Null Hypothesis: There will be no difference between nitrate levels in the aquarium with live and fake plants.
Alternative Hypothesis: Live plants will increase the nitrates levels in theaquarium compared to no plants.
Null Hypothesis: There will be no difference between nitrate levels in the aquarium with live and fake plants.
Our Variables
Dependent Variables:
Dependent variables are the things we will focus on to see if they depend on the independent variable. For our project we will be focusing on the water chemistry and how it's affected by the plants. |
Control Variables:
These are the quantities that a scientist wants to remain constant, and must be observed as carefully as the dependent variables. Our control variables are the UV light, the substrate and the temperature of the aquarium.
These are the quantities that a scientist wants to remain constant, and must be observed as carefully as the dependent variables. Our control variables are the UV light, the substrate and the temperature of the aquarium.
Methods
We conducted daily water tests, and kept a log of the results. For the first two weeks, we did the tests with artificial plants. For the next two weeks, we repeated the same process (steps 1-6) with live plants. Lastly, we performed water changes twice a week.
- Fill four 5 mL test tubes halfway with fish tank water.
- Nitrate: Pick one of the test tubes and add 10 drops from the nitrate bottle #1 and then 10 more drops for nitrate bottle #2. Shake test tube for 30 seconds and wait for the water to change color.
- Ammonia: Pick any of the remaining test tubes and add 8 drops from ammonia bottle #1 and 8 more from ammonia bottle #2. Shake for 5 seconds and wait for color change.
- Nitrite: Pick a third test tube and add 5 drops from Nitrite test solutions. Shake test tube for 5 seconds and wait for color change.
- pH: Add 3 drops from low pH test solutions and 5 drops from high pH test solution to the last test tube. Shake and wait for color change.
- After color change, read results according to the master test kit and write results on clipboard.
Cite
(1) James , Owe. “Oxygen levels for fish and plants in a tropical aquarium.” AquaDaily Oxygen levels for fish and plants in a tropical aquarium Comments, aquadaily.com/2009/01/06/oxygen-levels-for-fish-and-plants-in-a-tropical-aquarium/.
(2) Sharpe, Shirlie . “Switching From Plastic Aquarium Plants to Live Aquarium Plants.” The Spruce, 30 Aug. 2016, www.thespruce.com/converting-to-live-plants-1380756.
(3)Are Live Plants for Your Aquarium?” LiveAquaria.com - Quality Aquatic Life Direct To Your Door., 9 Nov. 2017, www.liveaquaria.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=93.
(2) Sharpe, Shirlie . “Switching From Plastic Aquarium Plants to Live Aquarium Plants.” The Spruce, 30 Aug. 2016, www.thespruce.com/converting-to-live-plants-1380756.
(3)Are Live Plants for Your Aquarium?” LiveAquaria.com - Quality Aquatic Life Direct To Your Door., 9 Nov. 2017, www.liveaquaria.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=93.