Thinking Questions:

[Lance A. Lot]

I was recently faced with situation where a Marine Biologist was trying to get an understanding of my knowledge in the hobby. The questions increased in difficulty as he asked them (in his opinion).
Some of the first ones:

How do you calibrate a refractometer
What is PH? Why is it important?
Name three methods to alter PH
How often do you clean an aquarium filter (obviously some of these are open ended to figure out what filtration types I was familiar with)
How can you mature an aquarium
Name one method of chemical, biological, and mechanical filtration used in aquariums.

Some of the Later ones:

Explain the Sulfur denitrification process.
What would an appropriate kelvin range be for a freshwater planted tank.
And a fish disease question... how to identify a Fluke or monogenean. Along with the proper treatment of said parasite.


My question to you:
What do you do to continually expand your understanding of this hobby?
Also what is your answer to the last questions. I am pretty sure I got the last 2 only partially correct at best and that is why the process stopped after that.

 

[tew47]

I read the forums on reef central every night in br. Pick up a little more info every night

 

[Cancun]

I was recently faced with situation where a Marine Biologist was trying to get an understanding of my knowledge in the hobby. The questions increased in difficulty as he asked them (in his opinion).
Some of the first ones:

How do you calibrate a refractometer
What is PH? Why is it important?
Name three methods to alter PH
How often do you clean an aquarium filter (obviously some of these are open ended to figure out what filtration types I was familiar with)
How can you mature an aquarium
Name one method of chemical, biological, and mechanical filtration used in aquariums.

Some of the Later ones:

Explain the Sulfur denitrification process.
What would an appropriate kelvin range be for a freshwater planted tank.
And a fish disease question... how to identify a Fluke or monogenean. Along with the proper treatment of said parasite.


My question to you:
What do you do to continually expand your understanding of this hobby?
Also what is your answer to the last questions. I am pretty sure I got the last 2 only partially correct at best and that is why the process stopped after that.

What would an appropriate kelvin range be for a freshwater planted tank.....

I have no idea....I have never owned a fresh water tank....only saltwater....sorry..

And a fish disease question... how to identify a Fluke or monogenean. Along with the proper treatment of said parasite....

Ok....here goes....Fish will appear lethargic, and Breathing at the surface, or just stationary "hanging" at the surface will be observed, as the fish try's to obtain sufficient oxygen when the gills are badly infested.....a fresh water dip is commonly used to rid a fish of flukes...and checking and rechecking your water quality ...and make adjustments such as large water changes if you find your water quality to be poor....


What do you do to continually expand your understanding of this hobby?

I am constantly reading any and all things related to the hobby.... especially new and updated material.....also on more difficult topics I will read things several times if I have to so I gain a complete understanding of the subject. Also I am not afraid to ask questions of knowledgeable people such as LFS owners in the STL metro area.....and others on Reef Central. There us always something new to learn in this great hobby.

Sent from my MHA-L29 using Tapatalk

 

[mpgrant77]

The freshwater lighting one is similar to saltwater. Kelvin is the overall output of the lamp and for freshwater is typically 5000-6500K, but it is the least useful number to use. More important is the wavelengths that the bulbs put out. similar to saltwater. Since the lights are driving photosynthesis the output needs to be in the blue and red wavelengths for the most 650-700nm and 420nm areas. So more important than Kelvin is the wavelengths that the bulb is producing. Take it deeper and Par/Pur come into play. Just like saltwater. PUR being the most usable number as it refers to photon output only in the photosynthetic wavelength bands. kelvin around 5000-6500 is just for aesthetics because without the full spectrum you lose the green wavelengths that make the plants look nice to the human eye. So a full spectrum bulb makes everything look nice but hidden in the full spectrum light you want a good output of red and blue wavelengths to drive photosynthesis.