Hypothesis: If the water of an aquaponics system is heated from 23 degrees Celsius to an average temperature of 27 degrees Celsius, then Ocimum basilicum will have a higher average growth rate and Carassius auratus energy transfer will provide a consistent rate of below 40 ppm of Nitrate.
Literature Review:
Snyder, Gordon. Water Temperature Effects on Fish and Aquatic Life. (2011). Science Fair Water. Retrieved: January 13, 2017
http://sciencefairwater.com/physical-water-quality-parameters/water- temperature/water-temperature-effects-on-fish-and-aquatic-life
Changes in temperature affect aquatic life. Temperature determines which organisms will thrive and which will diminish in numbers and size. For each organism there is a thermal death point. Also there is a range of temperature of that produces optimal abundance. The effects of temperature upon life of a cold blooded or poikilotherm are profound. Poikilothermic animals, such as fish, are those whose body temperatures follow closely the temperature of their medium.These animals have coped with temperature problems in different ways. Not only the organism survival, but growth and reproduction of each organism have critical temperature ranges. Each organism must be favored by the proper temperature if the individual or its population are going to survive. For instance, temperature influences enzymatic reactions through hormonal and nervous control to digestion, from respiration and osmoregulation to all aspects of an organism’s performance and behavior.High and low temperatures that are lethal to individual organism of a species determines the distribution and abundance it’s populations. However, more often the distribution and abundance of populations is determined by less than lethal temperatures interacting with other environmental factors that either tend to favor or not to favor reproduction and growth.Increased water temperature is an important consideration when toxic substances are present in water. Many substances (i.e. cyanides, phenol, xylene, zinc) exhibit increased toxicity at elevated temperatures. These toxicities and other physiological interactions are also influenced by temperature acclimation or history of the species.We can gain a clearer understanding of these interactions through consideration of lethal temperature levels. In relation to the survival of individual organisms, the upper and lower lethal temperatures define the total temperature gradient. Within this temperature gradient, there is a range as shown in Figure 4 in which the species can function at or near optimum. In this range, growth and reproduction temperature requirements are met and the species will be found in greatest abundance. Outside the optimum range, there are zones of physiological stress. In these zones, organisms become infrequent because activities are limited more by temperatures that produce discomfort or stress. The period of time an organism can live under physiological stress is a function of how far the temperature is from the lethal level.Most changes in water temperature as a result of land use activity generally trend upward. An exception is the release of cold bottom water from stratified artificial impoundments that may alter the flora and fauna for many miles downstream from a dam. Most other activities generally raise the temperature of receiving waters with the following effects:
(a) Higher temperatures diminish the solubility of dissolved oxygen and thus decrease the availability of this essential gas.
(b) Elevated temperatures increase the metabolism, respiration and oxygen demand of fish and other aquatic life, approximately doubling the respiration for a 10° C. rise in temperature. Hence the demand for oxygen is increased under conditions where oxygen supply is lowered.
(c) The solubility of many toxic substances is increased as well as intensified as the temperature rises.
(d) Higher temperatures militate against desirable fish life by favoring the growth of sewage fungus and the putrification of sludge deposits, and finally
(e) Even with adequate dissolved oxygen, there is a maximum temperature that each species of fish or other organism can tolerate. Higher temperatures produce death. The maximum temperatures that adult fish can tolerate vary with the species of fish, prior acclimatization, oxygen availability and the synergistic effects of other pollutants.
Median Tolerance Limits (MTL)have been reported are shown in the following table. Species have been arranged in the order of heat tolerance. As shown by this table, Goldfish, Bass and Carp are relatively tolerant of high temperatures, whereas Trout and Salmon are more sensitive. These temperatures, however, apply to adult fish. For spawning and hatching of eggs, much lower temperatures are required. Many species spawn only above or below certain temperatures. Several species of fish and their spawning temperature ranges are shown in Figure (Cooper).
Independent Variable: Temperature of the water in degrees Celsius
Dependent Variable:The growth in inches of Ocimum basilicum over a six week period and ammonification levels of .5 ppm consistent throughout the experiment.
Control Variable: The amount of Carassius auratus in each fish tank ( approximately four), The amount of food fed to Carassius auratus ( approximately one teaspoon every two days), and the amount of water being cycled through each aquaponics system ( approximately one liter per day) , The amount of light being directed in each system ( one lamp of 60 watt Daylight power )
Experimental group: One of the two tanks will serve as the experimental group, and will be held at an average temperature of 27 degrees Celsius in order to observe Nitrate and Nitrite levels, as well as Plant Growth compared to the results of the control group.
Control group: One of the two tanks will be held at a normal room temperature of approximately 23 celsius and Nitrate/Nitrite levels will be observed in order to compare with the experimental group
Unexpected Challenges: Challenges we have encountered thus far are the way in which our variable will successfully be measured in comparison to an energy systems diagram. In addition, the inconsistency of the experiment overall, specifically referring to our hypothesis and the way in which our protocol will work. Challenges have also included the acquiring of equipment and remaining uniform throughout our group’s logic behind the experiment.
How we will know our experiment is a success:
Addressing Energy dynamics:The fish are fed food which is chemical energy and then what they excrete (potential energy) is absorbed by the plants through their roots. The plants convert the potential energy to chemical energy through nitrification. The plants also recieve light energy from the sun and convert it into chemical energy through photosynthesis. This then helps the plants grow taller, which is why we are measuring the growth of the plants. If the energy in the system is lowered, or not enough energy is getting to the plants from the fish, the plants will grow slower.
Weekly Update: We expect to begin taking measurements of the heights of the basil plants in about a week and a half which is when they should be sprouted with 23 degree celsius water. The basil being supplemented with the 27 degree celsius water may sprout more quickly. We will begin taking nitrate and pH level measurements within the next week. Once our aquaponics system is established and functional, we will take height measurements every two days, and nitrate and pH level measurements twice a week. For over the weekends or long weekends, we have bought “weekend fish feeders” that provide a food source for the fish in the tank for up to 4 days without feeding.
We ended up going over our original budget, on account of we could not find any good quality water heaters below fifteen dollars. We also just had to spend more because we have two separate aquaponic systems and that requires double the supplies. Each group member was originally supposed to only have to pay twenty dollars, but now each group member has to pay 30 dollars for a total of $120. That should also cover the cost of any replacement fish or pump we would have to buy if a fish died or a pump stopped working.
Our aquaponics system will be fully functional by Wednesday of this week, because the supplies we ordered from amazon finally came in. We will be planting the basil in the grow bed this weekend and putting the fish in the tank by Wednesday.
Literature Review:
Snyder, Gordon. Water Temperature Effects on Fish and Aquatic Life. (2011). Science Fair Water. Retrieved: January 13, 2017
http://sciencefairwater.com/physical-water-quality-parameters/water- temperature/water-temperature-effects-on-fish-and-aquatic-life
Changes in temperature affect aquatic life. Temperature determines which organisms will thrive and which will diminish in numbers and size. For each organism there is a thermal death point. Also there is a range of temperature of that produces optimal abundance. The effects of temperature upon life of a cold blooded or poikilotherm are profound. Poikilothermic animals, such as fish, are those whose body temperatures follow closely the temperature of their medium.These animals have coped with temperature problems in different ways. Not only the organism survival, but growth and reproduction of each organism have critical temperature ranges. Each organism must be favored by the proper temperature if the individual or its population are going to survive. For instance, temperature influences enzymatic reactions through hormonal and nervous control to digestion, from respiration and osmoregulation to all aspects of an organism’s performance and behavior.High and low temperatures that are lethal to individual organism of a species determines the distribution and abundance it’s populations. However, more often the distribution and abundance of populations is determined by less than lethal temperatures interacting with other environmental factors that either tend to favor or not to favor reproduction and growth.Increased water temperature is an important consideration when toxic substances are present in water. Many substances (i.e. cyanides, phenol, xylene, zinc) exhibit increased toxicity at elevated temperatures. These toxicities and other physiological interactions are also influenced by temperature acclimation or history of the species.We can gain a clearer understanding of these interactions through consideration of lethal temperature levels. In relation to the survival of individual organisms, the upper and lower lethal temperatures define the total temperature gradient. Within this temperature gradient, there is a range as shown in Figure 4 in which the species can function at or near optimum. In this range, growth and reproduction temperature requirements are met and the species will be found in greatest abundance. Outside the optimum range, there are zones of physiological stress. In these zones, organisms become infrequent because activities are limited more by temperatures that produce discomfort or stress. The period of time an organism can live under physiological stress is a function of how far the temperature is from the lethal level.Most changes in water temperature as a result of land use activity generally trend upward. An exception is the release of cold bottom water from stratified artificial impoundments that may alter the flora and fauna for many miles downstream from a dam. Most other activities generally raise the temperature of receiving waters with the following effects:
(a) Higher temperatures diminish the solubility of dissolved oxygen and thus decrease the availability of this essential gas.
(b) Elevated temperatures increase the metabolism, respiration and oxygen demand of fish and other aquatic life, approximately doubling the respiration for a 10° C. rise in temperature. Hence the demand for oxygen is increased under conditions where oxygen supply is lowered.
(c) The solubility of many toxic substances is increased as well as intensified as the temperature rises.
(d) Higher temperatures militate against desirable fish life by favoring the growth of sewage fungus and the putrification of sludge deposits, and finally
(e) Even with adequate dissolved oxygen, there is a maximum temperature that each species of fish or other organism can tolerate. Higher temperatures produce death. The maximum temperatures that adult fish can tolerate vary with the species of fish, prior acclimatization, oxygen availability and the synergistic effects of other pollutants.
Median Tolerance Limits (MTL)have been reported are shown in the following table. Species have been arranged in the order of heat tolerance. As shown by this table, Goldfish, Bass and Carp are relatively tolerant of high temperatures, whereas Trout and Salmon are more sensitive. These temperatures, however, apply to adult fish. For spawning and hatching of eggs, much lower temperatures are required. Many species spawn only above or below certain temperatures. Several species of fish and their spawning temperature ranges are shown in Figure (Cooper).
Independent Variable: Temperature of the water in degrees Celsius
Dependent Variable:The growth in inches of Ocimum basilicum over a six week period and ammonification levels of .5 ppm consistent throughout the experiment.
Control Variable: The amount of Carassius auratus in each fish tank ( approximately four), The amount of food fed to Carassius auratus ( approximately one teaspoon every two days), and the amount of water being cycled through each aquaponics system ( approximately one liter per day) , The amount of light being directed in each system ( one lamp of 60 watt Daylight power )
Experimental group: One of the two tanks will serve as the experimental group, and will be held at an average temperature of 27 degrees Celsius in order to observe Nitrate and Nitrite levels, as well as Plant Growth compared to the results of the control group.
Control group: One of the two tanks will be held at a normal room temperature of approximately 23 celsius and Nitrate/Nitrite levels will be observed in order to compare with the experimental group
Unexpected Challenges: Challenges we have encountered thus far are the way in which our variable will successfully be measured in comparison to an energy systems diagram. In addition, the inconsistency of the experiment overall, specifically referring to our hypothesis and the way in which our protocol will work. Challenges have also included the acquiring of equipment and remaining uniform throughout our group’s logic behind the experiment.
How we will know our experiment is a success:
Addressing Energy dynamics:The fish are fed food which is chemical energy and then what they excrete (potential energy) is absorbed by the plants through their roots. The plants convert the potential energy to chemical energy through nitrification. The plants also recieve light energy from the sun and convert it into chemical energy through photosynthesis. This then helps the plants grow taller, which is why we are measuring the growth of the plants. If the energy in the system is lowered, or not enough energy is getting to the plants from the fish, the plants will grow slower.
Weekly Update: We expect to begin taking measurements of the heights of the basil plants in about a week and a half which is when they should be sprouted with 23 degree celsius water. The basil being supplemented with the 27 degree celsius water may sprout more quickly. We will begin taking nitrate and pH level measurements within the next week. Once our aquaponics system is established and functional, we will take height measurements every two days, and nitrate and pH level measurements twice a week. For over the weekends or long weekends, we have bought “weekend fish feeders” that provide a food source for the fish in the tank for up to 4 days without feeding.
We ended up going over our original budget, on account of we could not find any good quality water heaters below fifteen dollars. We also just had to spend more because we have two separate aquaponic systems and that requires double the supplies. Each group member was originally supposed to only have to pay twenty dollars, but now each group member has to pay 30 dollars for a total of $120. That should also cover the cost of any replacement fish or pump we would have to buy if a fish died or a pump stopped working.
Our aquaponics system will be fully functional by Wednesday of this week, because the supplies we ordered from amazon finally came in. We will be planting the basil in the grow bed this weekend and putting the fish in the tank by Wednesday.