Life Support & Water Quality Abstracts
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Survivin' and Thrivin' After Cat Fivin' Caroline Emch-Wei & Ryan Firment, Coral World Ocean Park Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
It’s rare to be hit by a hurricane of any kind in St. Thomas, let alone two back to back category 5 hurricanes. Yet in September 2017, Coral World Ocean Park sustained heavy damage from both Irma and Maria and left the aquarists with unique problems we needed to solve to keep our animals alive and get the aquarium open to the public again. As an island we were left without power for months and limited food options due to damaged shipping ports in Florida and throughout the Caribbean. At Coral World we endured damaged water lines, damaged exhibits and missing roofs, limited staff, and limited animal housing. We learned the importance of generators, rationing, water conservation, construction with limited tools, cross training, and creative animal transport and housing options. These lessons, taught the hard way to us, can passed on the easy way to you at RAW. |
Six Years in the Making: The Path to an Effective Autotrophic Denitrification System
Kyle McPheeters, Tennessee Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Autotrophic denitrification is a means of filtration that reduces nitrate without water changes, giving an inland aquarium the ability to improve the health of marine exhibits without the environmental and fiscal costs of changing synthetic seawater. Over six years four unique denitrification systems were constructed. The merits of each type of system include ease of media management through backwashing, consistent flow rates/performance with predictable results, and lower nitrates in the exhibit; shortfalls include inconsistent results, unpredictable performance, difficulty managing media and difficulty cleaning media. Trials with these systems show that to be effective two separate media vessels (sulfur and carbonate) should be used, and systems should be recirculating. Our systems and the real-world data produced from them addresses current misinformation. |
Successful Denitrification at the National Aquarium - Six Years and Counting
Andy Aiken, National Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Long-term exposure to nitrate in excess of 200 mg/L as NO3- is linked to various health problems including goiter in elasmobranchs and depressed antibody response in teleosts. Nitrate management via water changes on large, closed exhibits is often cost-prohibitive and inadequate. Since 2011, autotrophic denitrification has been used successfully at the National Aquarium. Concentrations below 10 mg/L as NO3- have been achieved in multi-taxa exhibits as large as 1,230,000 liters. No custom-built components are used. Process management is user-friendly and consists of daily olfactory inspection, 3×/week nitrite (NO2-) testing of denitrification system effluent; and weekly or monthly nitrate testing of exhibit water via ion chromatography. Automated control and monitoring (e.g. pH, ORP) is not required. Systems are backwashed weekly. Multiple improvements have advanced system reliability and ease of use. Recirculating reverse flow regime through sulfur and calcium carbonate allows daily removal rates greater than 7 kg NO3- /m3 sulfur. |
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AC/DC - The Advantages of Converting to Direct Current Pumps Barbara Bailey, National Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Traditional alternating current (AC) pool pumps have been used in the aquarium industry for decades. Although AC pumps can accomplish desired flow rates for most small aquarium systems, at a reasonable cost, they can have significant drawbacks, including: need for regular maintenance (e.g., replacement of seals); generation of excessive ambient noise, vibrations, and heat (both into the atmosphere and the water stream); and elevated rates of energy consumption. In late 2016, the New England Aquarium received funding from a Trustee to replace 17 traditional AC pumps in our Animal Care Center Quarantine Room with Abyzz direct current (DC) pumps. DC pumps (200 and 400 W) were installed over a one-year period. The intention of this exercise was to analyze the feasibility of replacing AC pumps (approx. 150) on smaller aquatic systems (exhibits, quarantine systems and holding systems) throughout the Aquarium. The following data sets were collected and compared for AC and DC pumps: energy consumption, cost to operate, noise, vibration, and system temperature changes. |
Gram-Negative Bacteria and It's Implications for Aquatic Animal Health Crystal Gentle, California Science Center Foundation Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Public aquaria are regulated by agencies such as USDA and OSHA, and may meet standards of other groups such as AZA and EPA when it comes to microbiological water quality testing. Some gram-negative bacteria are a factor in human health issues and may also contribute to non-human animal issues. Therefore, many institutions go beyond basic compliance tests for the safety of the animals, staff, volunteers, and public. The California Science Center regularly performs microbiological tests on its aquatic systems, however the relevance of the frequency of testing and corresponding response had not been formally established. In order to determine whether there is a correlation between counts of gram-negative bacteria, husbandry practices, and animal health issues, we compared our test results with our daily husbandry and veterinary records to identify and analyze patterns and trends. This information can be used to alter daily husbandry practices in order to maintain animal health. |
Laboratory Results at Hobbyist Pricing: Optimizing Water Quality Testing for Accuracy and Efficiency
Chris Emmet, Oregon Coast Community College - Aquarium Science Program Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Monitoring of water quality parameters is critical for the proper husbandry of any aquatic animal. As animal welfare and health are primary goals of any well-run facility, top-of-the-line tests are used to measure these parameters. However, these tests can be time-consuming, expensive, or potentially produce waste that requires special disposal. Despite the downsides, these tests give precise results which are essential in a professional organization. In contrast, hobbyist-grade reagents are a “quick and dirty,” solution; less expensive, less precise, but often simpler. I propose that these two methods can be combined, using hobbyist reagents in tandem with proper laboratory technique, and analyzing the resulting color with a spectrophotometer to eliminate imprecision. This process would involve using standard solutions to build a model for individual tests, and then testing with samples of tank water. If successful, this could offer institutions a less-expensive, but still accurate method to measure water quality |
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Water Quality for Herptiles; Not Just a Fishy Business
Ryan O'Shea, Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
When considering animal health and care, environmental factors should be taken as seriously as the patient. With many reptiles and amphibians we focus on environmental temperatures and humidity to ensure our patients are being maintained at their preferred optimal temperature zone and ideal humidity. For aquatic and amphibious species, water quality should also be considered while collecting environmental data. The following is a collection of recommended and suggested water quality values as they relate to reptilian and amphibian care. |