Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Ian Millichip
Aims
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Emphasise the wonders of water and some science of water. De-mystify some parts of water chemistry and show patterns Explain the meaning of common water quality parameters Show relationship between water quality parameters Discuss the measurement and relation of water parameters to fish health Set a platform for future study
Ian Millichip
Overview
Water. The Magic Chemical Directions Measurements and Meaning pH/Acidity/Basicity/Alkalinity pH Buffers Hardness Redox Methylene blue Nitrogen Cycle and filtration Water Treatment/Chlorine/chloramine
Ian Millichip
Ian Millichip
Water Is
Oxidane An Anomoly
Water Liquid at Room Temp Hydrogen Sulphide toxic gas Selenium Hydride toxic flammable gas
Ian Millichip
Water Is
Magical Great Solvent (but not for water) Specific heat capacity (High) Heat of Vaporization ~ Humidity Air Miscibility and condensation / From Ice to Gas Density of Water vs Ice (4 C) Low Compressibility Cohesion and adhesion
Surface tension (cohesive strength) Capillary action (adhesive strength)
Ian Millichip
Water Is
Life
Cradle of Life Vital Biochemical
Change
Ian Millichip
Change
HIGH ENERGY
In Short..
Chemistry is A downhill slippery and messy slope with
LOW ENERGY
Ian Millichip
Ian Millichip
Starting With
R.O. Unit
?? What is in it ??
Fish Tank
Ian Millichip
Conditioners
Dechlorination
Sodium thiosulphate (produces ammonia from Chloramides)
Other Additives
Ian Millichip
Acids/Bases et al
pH a measure of acidity/basicity
- log10 (Hydrogen ion) Affected by Temperature / Concentration / ionic strength
Acid
Donate a hydrogen ion to solution (classical understanding); OR Accepts an electron pair (eg Aluminium Chloride)
Base
Accepts a hyrdrogen ion; OR Donates an electron pair
pH Buffer
Resists changes of pH on addition of a small amount of acid or base Often mix of a weak acid or weak base and the salt of a weak acid or weak base
Alkalinity
Type of buffering. MEASURE..solutions ability to neutalise an acid. Linked in Aquaria to Carbonate buffering (and hardness)
Ian Millichip
Hardness
Classically.Hard to form a lather Temporary Hardness
Easily removed by boiling heating decomposes soluble Bi-carbonates (Hydrogen Carbonates) to insoluble Carbonates
Permanent Hardness
Removed
by
Hardness
Contributes or Affects
General stability pH pH Buffering Alkalinity RedOx and RedOx Balance Ionic balance/conductivity/TDS Diffusion/Osmosis Nutrient Uptake Supply of vital minerals: calcium & magnesium
Ian Millichip
RedOx
RedOx = Reduction and Oxidation RedOx Balance is vitally important. Complex RedOx Potential (ORP)
Potential
to Donate Electrons (Reducing Environment) Potential to Accept Electrons (Oxidising Environment) Is just a measure (and askwhat is measured?)
Reducing
Environment is ideal for fish health Oxidising Environment is good for sterilising RedOx balance can get run-down with time.
Regular Partial Water changes; good aeration Having a good buffer Monitoring and maintain pH, Alkalinity, Hardness help.
Ian Millichip
RedOx
Vital Consideration
The basis of life existing pivots around RedOx Potentials General Health and Water Quality In Aquaria(for examples).
Exchange across Gills Interaction at mucous layer Dropsy/Kidney Function/ Exploitation of substrate buffering Old-Water syndrome Biological Filtration Decay upsets RedOx Balance Treatment of Disease Treatment of certain poisonings
Ian Millichip
Methylene Blue
RedOx Agent
Photosensitiser
Stain for microscopy and clinical diagnosis Redox Indicator ** Methaemoglobinaemia / Cyanide Poisoning / Carbon Monoxide Poisoning **
Hepatitis C/ Kaposi's sarcoma/ inactivates Staphylococcus aureus Anti-Malarial Induces Cancer Cell Apoptosis ** Protects against Mustard Alkylating Agent Neurotoxicity ** Mono Amine Oxidase Inhibitorused to make antipsychotic drugs **
Ian Millichip
Test Indicators
A pH Indicator (Thymol Blue) Nitrte/Nitrate Test
Ian Millichip
Acids
Ian Millichip
pH (Strong Acid)
Hyrogen Chloride (HCl) In water = Hydrochloric Acid
(1 mole HCl = 36.5g)
Grams HCl 3700 1850 370 37 3.7 ~ pH 1.00 1.30 2.00 3.00 4.00
0.37
0.037 0.0037 0.00037 0.000037
5.00
5.96 6.70 6.96 7.00
1000 litres
0.0000037
0.00000037 0
Ian Millichip
7.00
7.00 7.00
pH (Weak Acid)
Acetic Acid (HAc)
(1 mole HAc= 60g) pKa = 4.75
Grams HAc 6000 3000 ~ pH 2.88 3.03
600
60
3.38
3.88
4.38 4.88
5.37 5.85
0.6
0.06 0.006
0.0006
0.00006
6.29
6.63 6.85 6.95 7.00
1000 litres
0.000006 0.0000006 0
Ian Millichip
{H }{ A } Ka {HA}
pK a Log10 ( K a )
pH Log10 ( {HA}K a )
Ian Millichip
Nitrogenous Compounds
Surplus amino acids need to be excreteddepends upon the bodys water demands and supply.
Reptiles > urates/uric acid with very little water Marine Fish > dimethyl amine or as urea in blood In humans > urea dissolved in plenty of water Freshwater fish > direct movement of ammonia out of gills (mainly by passive diffusion) Diffusion of Ammonia out of fish depends on ammonia in outside water and pH.
Ian Millichip
Nitrogenous Compounds
In the Aquarium
Amino Acids / Waste / Dead fish / uneaten food
Ammonification [RAPID]
Ammonia (NH3)
0.06 mg/L
Ammonia
Filter Media
Inert
{all are mechanical}
Inert Rocks/Pebbles Sponge Wool Ceramic or special glass chips Membranes {eg Reverse Osmosis; removes selected molecules}
Ian Millichip
Peat or living moss {^acids; soften; ^ organic compounds} Plants {lower nitrates} Activated Carbon {catalyst; remove certain chemicals} Clay {softens; remove chemicals; add minerals} Calcium Carbonate chips {Redox & Alkalinity Buffer} ## Aluminium oxide or Ferric oxide base. {Phosphate} ## Denitrifying Modified Beds {Nitrate Removal}
# Zeolites/Molecular Sieves {remove ammonia etc; removes and exchanges various ions}
# = Care - nutrient hazard ## = Extra Care - toxic hazard
Ian Millichip
Chloramines
To RO Unit
Ammonia (UIA)
Activated Carbon
(Low Peroxide No.)
RO Membrane
Ian Millichip
pH > 7.5
Summary
1. 2.
No amount of Knowldege can make up for poor Water Management. Water Chemistry is complex
Standard Text Book chemistry does not necessarily apply
3.
4. 5. 6. 7.
Do not mess with Water Chemistry unless one understands the implications Understanding the complexity may help explain unexplained Know the requirements of your fish Linking the Science to the Experience will help develop Aquatic Husbandry
Ian Millichip