Chemical and Ultraviolet Abstracts
Full Abstract
A thorough knowledge of ion exchange is essential to the successful management of aquarium systems. Ion exchange occurs both before the water is added to the aquarium and within the aquarium system itself. Understanding what ions are present and how they affect your aquariums’ water quality is essential to maintaining the quality of life of the inhabitants within the aquarium. This correct balance of common ions is obtained in the water column through the use of the aquarium life support system and properly calculated chemical additions. |
Full Abstract
Activated Carbon describes a large class of materials, mainly carbon with great porosity and large surface area to volume ratio. Carbon forms very stable structures of repeating hexagonal rings called graphene. Addition of pentagons and heptagons produces curved sheets called fullerenes. Jumbled assemblages of graphenes and fullerenes probably produce the porous structure. These sheets can be one atom thick, resulting in a large surface area. Activated carbon is mostly produced from bulk natural carbon sources so it may contain other naturally occurring compounds. Adsorption on this large surface area makes it useful for removing undesired compounds from water. This wide variety of carbon sources and means of activation result in variation of adsorptive properties, thus the selection of activated carbon should be compared to target contaminant characteristics. The specific goal for use of activated carbon should be determined, leading to the selection of a suitable commercial product to achieve the best results. Catalytic dechlorination of source water is a common use. Dechlorination of chloramine is much slower so larger vessels and longer contact time is needed. Treatment to increase catalysis produce active groups to enhance the reaction. Possible adsorption of trace minerals, ability to catalyze some reactions, and production of very fine particles influence use of activated carbon. |
Use of Ultraviolet Processing in Aquatic Life Support Systems
James R. Bolton, Bolton Photosciences Inc. Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
The use of ultraviolet (UV) light as a method of disinfection in aquatic life support systems has played a key role in protecting aquatic animals against pathogenic microorganisms, controlling algal growth, and in some cases improving water clarity. The use of UV disinfection in aquatic systems, such as in public aquariums, zoos, and in aquaculture, has increased over the past two decades and has proven to be widely accepted as an alternative to other methods of disinfection. The principles of UV disinfection will be introduced, the components and technical aspects of the equipment will be described, methods for determination of appropriate UV application will be discussed, and the impact on water quality will be evaluated. The information will enable the reader to select the appropriate equipment and determine fluence (UV dose) based on the target microorganism(s) to achieve the desired level of water disinfection and/or algal control. |
Medium Pressure Ultra Violet Radiation (MPUV) Application in Aquariums and Aquatic Zoological Facilities
Chris Warner, Aquatic Environmental Systems Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
The use of UV technology in water treatment was first used in Europe in 1915 soon after the invention of the UV lamp in 1910, since then it has been used in many industrial and municipal water treatment applications. It was not until the mid-1970 that design engineers started using Medium Pressure Ultra Violet (MPUV) technology (polychromatic lamps). This technology is comparatively new to aquarium, marine mammal and aquatic zoological facilities and there is little information available regarding this application in aquariums however there has been much research into the use of MPUV for industrial, potable water, waste water, vessel bilge water disinfection, swimming pool disinfection, photo oxidization and photo disassociation. The first aquarium project that we are aware of where MPUV was used as an essential component of the life support system (LSS) was the “Shark Bay” aquarium on the Gold Coast, Australia. Since then there have been many applications of this technology in aquariums and marine mammal facilities with mixed success. MPUV does much more than provide point of contact sterilization, its capacity to photo oxidize at selective radiation frequencies can result in reduction of color, DOC, nitrate, chloramines and bromomines. |