Nitrogen Cycle
What percentage of earths atmosphere is made up of nitrogen? (+- 5%)
78%
What is the name of the process that converts nitrogen gas into other organic compounds such as ammonia?
Nitrogen fixation
What part(s) of your aquarium are responsible for housing the bacteria that facilitate the aquarium cycle?
Filter and or substrate
How can live plants help make aquarium maintenance easier?
They absorb nitrates and allow you to go longer between water changes.
What do the numbers 11, 69, 88, and 96 all have in common?
They are all still read the same if you flip them upside down.
What is the most common way that nitrogen gas is "fixed" into a more usable organic compound?
Bacteria / Bacterial Fixation
What is the name of the process where animal and plant waste or dead and decaying organic matter is broken down into ammonia?
Ammonification
What is the purpose of the shrimp we added to the aquarium?
To decay and produce ammonia to feed the bacteria
How can we reduce the amount of nitrates in an aquarium without plants once the cycle is completed?
How is Europe like a frying pan?
They both have Greece/grease at the bottom
Other than bacteria, what is another way that nitrogen gas can be "fixed"?
Lightning or industrial processes to make fertilizer
What is the name of the process where Ammonia is converted into nitrites, and then nitrates by bacteria.
Nitrification
Name the three nitrogenous compounds that will appear in a fish tank as it cycles, in order of their appearance.
Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate
What is the purpose of the bubbler in your aquarium?
To increase the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water
Do you know the name of the invention that lets you look directly through a wall and see anything on the other side?
A window!
What does the formula NO2- represent?
Nitrite
What is the name of the process when plants take up Nitrates and use them to fuel their growth?
Assimilation
A tank is tested for the presence of the three main nitrogenous compounds and the results are as follows:
Ammonia - 1.5 ppm
Nitrites - 0.25 ppm
Nitrates - 0 ppm
Would you say this tank is in the beginning, middle, or end part of its cycle? WHY?
Beginning, ammonia is still present and there are no nitrates.
What is the purpose of the decoration that we have added to the tanks?
Aesthetics and structure/shelter for the fish.
In 1990, a person is 15 years old. In 1995, that same person is 10 years old. How can this be?
The person was born in 2005 B.C.
What does the formula NO3- represent?
Nitrate
What is the name of the process where bacteria in anaerobic environments turn nitrates back into nitrogen gas?
Denitrification
A tank is tested for the presence of the three main nitrogenous compounds and the results are as follows:
Ammonia - 0.25 ppm
Nitrites - 0 ppm
Nitrates - 20 ppm
Would you say this tank is in the beginning, middle, or end part of its cycle? WHY?
End, ammonia and nitrites are both very low, and nitrates are present.
Why do we need to remove any dead fish or plants as soon as we notice them?
Decaying fish/plants can lead to an ammonia spike that can harm your other fish.
I know a word. It has six letters, if you remove one letter, you’ll be left with 12. What is it?
Dozens