Self-sustaining

Self-sustaining means to be able to exist without outside help. In an ecosystem, self-sustaining means that the natural cycles that occur are able function properly without help from others. My ecosystem is not entirely self-sustaining. Without me, the fish would starve to death because there would be no source of food anymore. Also, the water would eventually evaporate, killing the fish. If there was no bubbler in the aquarium, the fish would die from lack of oxygen. If we didn't do water changes, ammonia tests, and nitrate tests, the fish would die from the pollution they created themselves. As a result of these numerous reasons, the aquarium is far from self-sustaining.

My Ecosytem's Water Quality

I believe that my ecosystem's water quality is pretty decent. Compared to a pond, I think that my ecosystem's water has less diversity in plants and insects than a pond. Ponds are shallower than my ecosystem's water, allowing plants to grow across the entire pond unlike an aquarium would. Also, because of the increased diversity, the diversity of insects would be greater.
 
On the other hand, my ecosystem's water would have a better water quality than a river because it's smaller and I can adjust it easier than changing an entire river's water quality. 

The Nitrogen Cycle

The nitrogen cycle is imperative in an aquatic ecosystem. It starts out when food is put into the water and the fish urinate. One of the main components in urine is in fact ammonia. The ammonia is then broken down into nitrite by the bacteria nitrosomonas. The nitrite is then broken down by the bacteria nitrobacter into nitrate. Once in this form, plants take up the nitrate, though this is only temporary because once the plant dies, the nitrate is then released back into the water. Without the nitrogen cycle, ecosystems couldn't function properly because the build up of ammonia will kill the fish and other organisms.

Aquarium Update

Since the start of this project, our water has been slowly decreasing. In total, it decreased about 3 inches so we decided it was about time that we add more water, making sure we dechlorinated before adding it. At first after Exstacy's death, Meep had been more social, venturing further out into the middle of the tank. However, Meep has started to become more of a recluse again, staying in his corner of the tank and avoiding the other fish. Cow and Fish have not experienced any change in their behavior at all. Our water quality test was 20 for nitrate, .25 for ammonia, 21 degree Celsius/70 degree Fahrenheit, and no water changes. The dissolved oxygen was 10 mg/L. The results of all these tests mean that our water quality is still good. As a result of this, we have made no changes.

Dichotomous Key

A Dichotomous key is used to identify something through the use of questions. To use one, read the first question. The answer describing the object you're looking at will have a number next to it. Go to that question and repeat the steps. Eventually, one of the answers that you get will have a name next to it. This is the correct identification of the object you're looking at.

To make my own, I stared out with color and moved into more specifics from there. The problems I encountered was figuring out how to phrase the descriptions into questions and how to make the questions in a way in which i wouldn't give too much information away. After thinking about how I could phrase it, I came up with the best way to construct the questions, solving my dilemma.  

Pollution Index Chart

A pollution index chart is used to determine the quality of water. To use one, count the number of a certain algae then divide by 5. If the number of algae in the sample is below before dividing, then just ignore it. Continuing, always round down when dividing. Even if the number is 4.9, it would be 4. Next, take that number and multiply it by the number in the column of the corresponding algae. Once finished, add all the algae numbers together. If the number is 20 or greater, the pollution is high, if the number is between 15-19, the level is probable, and if the number is 14 or less, the pollution is low. The benefits of using a pollution index chart include knowing what algae is in the water and what condition the water is in. However, the drawback is that it's only a pollution index for a small sample of the entire body of water so the results could be deceiving. If the population of certain algae is high but the diversity is low, the water is polluted, possibly as a result of organic pollutants. When the diversity of algae is high but the population is low, the water is cleaner and healthier.

Assesing Water Quality

There are a few steps one should follow in order to assess a body of water. The first is that you should evaluate by observation. See if there is an algae bloom that could indicate pollution, or a particular smell that could tell you what particular algae is growing in the water. Next, capture and identify algae. Certain algae will tell you what kind of condition the water is in. If it's an algae such as Anabaena, the water would be in poor quality. Next, test the pH, ammonia levels, temperature, dissolved oxygen levels, nitrate levels, and nitrite levels. Finally, run a panel of chemical tests. It's important to do the steps in this order because it can save you time as well as money. Organisms such as algae or the lack of algae could help you determine how bad/good the water just by observation instead of having to run chemical test which would be a waste of time and money.