KEY
Study Guide
Topic # 3073
Water Testing for Aquaculture Systems
Created by Edward C. Meisel III
1.) Name five things that water provides.
a. food
b. maintains body temperature
c. oxygen
d. a storage for disease causing organisms
e. an excretory site
2.) Describe pH levels of being acidic, neutral, and basic and what this means.
pH that is acidic is anything below 7. Neutral pH is considered 7. pH that is
basic is anything above 7. Every degree of logarithm is 10X more powerful
then the one before meaning that the higher or lower the number the stronger or
weaker the acid/base.
3.) Name all of the dissolved gasses in water and draw their symbols.
oxygen (O2)
carbon dioxide (CO2)
ammonia (NH4+, NH3)
chlorine (Cl2)
nitrogen (N2)
hydrogen sulfide (H2S)
methane (CH4)
4.) Why is it that all aquatic animals require dissolved oxygen for life?
They need at least 1ppm to survive and above 4-5ppm to avoid stress. This is the
easiest form for the aquatic animal to intake.
5.) What can affect dissolved oxygen levels?
Temperature, light, algae, and population
6.) How does carbon dioxide interfere with the aquatic animals?
It hinders its ability to extract oxygen from the water.
7.) What is the purpose of aeration?
A way to keep oxygen levels up and driving of carbon dioxide?
8.) The majority of ammonia in water is in what form?
It is most likely present in the non-toxic ionized form.
9.) What is the “hardness" of water is determined by?
The levels of calcium and magnesium determine the “hardness of water”.
10.) Describe colormetric and electronic testing.
Colormetric shows a variety of colors to determine the levels of an element.
These colors are represented on a scale that you read and choose the closest
combination.
Electronic is the type that most aquaculturists use. It can test almost all of the
major elements in the water and is a very accurate tool. It is used for all of the
aspects of water quality.