Global Water

**Notes** · 07-28-2012, 8:02 PM

Hi everyone,
I'm pretty new here, but I have been lurking quite a bit, and I would really appreciate some input on something that I am working on. I am doing a project on aquatic issues and am trying to brainstorm some ideas.
So far, all that comes to mind are very global issues like desalination/drinking water, wastewater management/water contamination, and oil spills and pollutants; and some such as endocrine disruption
I would love it if you guys could share any aquatics problems you may have had? (anything, really)
Thank you so much

**nerdyrcdriver** · 07-28-2012, 8:10 PM

I dont know how it would tie into your report, but in aquariums the normal things to monitor are ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. Ammonia is really bad for fish. Nitrite is not as bad, but still harmful. nitrates are not too bad, but could cause stress and should be kept low.

That is what cycling a tank is about. Ammonia is produced by fish waste, so it needs to be gotten rid of. Cycling a tank is the process of building up colonies of bacteria that convert ammonia to nitrites and then another colony of bacteria to convert nitrites into the even less harmful nitrates.

Dont take my info as 100% correct. I have only been in the hobby for about a year now. But that is really what I know about anything that would be aquarium related in your project. I am sure I probably said something wrong in that post, so make sure someone else confirms or corrects what I said.

**MurphysAquarist** · 07-29-2012, 1:10 AM

I think the biggest issues that affect our hobby are "accidental" introduction of invasive species (usually by people trying to rehome pets they don't want anymore) and the debate over wild caught vs. captive bred or aquacultured as the salties call it.

**SubRosa** · 07-29-2012, 5:12 AM

Originally Posted by MurphysAquarist

I think the biggest issues that affect our hobby are "accidental" introduction of invasive species (usually by people trying to rehome pets they don't want anymore) and the debate over wild caught vs. captive bred or aquacultured as the salties call it.

You might want to do a bit more research into the topic of invasive species. More often than not the invasives are introduced on purpose, quite often by governments and other official bodies.

**MurphysAquarist** · 07-29-2012, 9:35 AM

Yes, I'm well aware of that actually. However, the few instances of it due to individuals will have a disproportionate impact when it comes time for the politicians to DO SOMETHING.

P.S. I'm not calling for more regulation or laws, only education of those outside and new to the hobby.

P.P.S. After rereading my original post I think I see the misunderstanding. My use of the word "usually" was intended only to refer to instances relating to the pet trade and aquaria in particular. NOT invasive species in general. I will try to be more specific in the future.

**garyfla** · 07-29-2012, 1:44 PM

Hi
They recently drained a pond near my home .Of 83 species 4 were native. What i don't understand is why when they do this why don't they sell them rather than destroy them?? I think if there was some money involved there would be far less introduced species An interesting one was the introduction of Peacock bass into Okeeechobee supposedly to control
Oscars.Again why not gather them up and sell them?? They have now found two Lion fish in the intercoastal!! I can see removing them but why kill them?? Those fish are worth BIG bucks!! gary

**TL1000RSquid** · 07-29-2012, 2:13 PM

I know with the invasive lionfish they've been encouraging people to eat them, I guess they're suppose to taste pretty good, the invasive lion fish are pretty bad though they've been seen as far north as near me here in NY. As far as why not sell various things instead of killing them, money its alot cheaper to just kill them then to have to harvest them alive and have a place to hold them, and supply is greater then demand.

**garyfla** · 07-30-2012, 5:12 AM

hi
Eat them??? How do you get past the venomous spines?? The two that i heard about were 4/6 inches maybe a snack ??
That would be where the various aquarium societies could fill a really use ful function?? people are out actually buying these things anyway. They have added a "reptile wing" to our local shelter as well as small mammals finally. Hope business is booming there instead of the pet shops?? gary

**TL1000RSquid** · 07-30-2012, 9:18 AM

I don't know the prep directions I guess you can probably just cut the spines away. Adults are over a foot, so thats a big enough to make a meal for one person per fish. Some have to be kulled just to many of them out there vs how many people who want them, the few people i know with lion's all have smaller varieties not volitan's.