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Important Updates and Announcements:
 * BHSEC Queens Organismal Biology Experiment: Fathead Minnows** **(//Pimephales Promelas//) Webpage.**

CONGRATULATIONS FATHEADS!!!!

UPDATE! Please follow the link: []

MATERIALS AND METHODS Four twenty gallon glass aquarium tanks were necessary for this research, providing two control and two experimental environments. Management of the four tanks was identical, with the exception of phosphorous fertilizer treatment in the experimental tanks.
 * Professor Tu’s instructions say to “omit all explanatory information and background – save it for the discussion” but I didn’t realize that until after writing this. So, I underlined everything that maybe shouldn’t be included here. What do you guys think? **

Each tank contained ten pounds of gravel and 40,000 mL of tap water. Water conditioner and plants were added two weeks prior to the introduction of the fatheads. __Water conditioner prepared a suitable environment for the fish. Specifically, it served two purposes, neutralizing the chlorine and chloramines found in all tap water and restoring the natural slime coat of the fish, which was stripped in the stressful transportation and relocation processes.__ In each tank, 5 mL of water conditioner were added weekly.

__ Plants also played an important role in establishing a suitable habitat for the minnows. The plant specimen chosen was //Egeria Densa//, a weed from the Hydrocharitaceae family. The oxygen concentration is significantly lower in water than in air (20% v. <1%), making aquatic gas exchange much more demanding. However, plant photosynthesis increases oxygen and makes it easier for fish to conduct countercurrent gas exchange. //Egeria Densa// was chosen for its hardiness. It can survive and continue conducting photosynthesis even in unclean water. __

5 mL of tap water supplement were added to each tank. __This supplement is filled with beneficial bacteria. These metabolize excess food and nitrogenous fish waste, which contains large amounts of toxic ammonia.__ The supplement acts instantly, allowing the minnows to be introduced minutes later. The 44 specimens were divided evenly, with 11 per tank. All fish were fed Tetrafin Goldfish flakes Monday through Friday. __This food provided a nutritious balance of ground brown rice, shrimp meal, algae meal, and soybean and fish oils.__

On average, the tanks experienced a daily evaporation rate of 432.5 mL. Additionally, every week, 5000 mL of water was manually removed and replaced with water that had been pre-treated with supplement and conditioner according to the following ratio: 5 mL each of supplement and conditioner for every 10 gallons of tap water. This is the recommended amount listed on the labels of these products. The water removal/replacement procedure was conducted in each tank until the initiation of fertilizer treatment. At this point, it was continued only in the control tanks.

After two weeks, fertilizer treatment was initiated in the experimental tanks. Liquid fertilizer containing a high phosphorus concentration (12%) was used. The fist dosage was 5 mL. On subsequent days, 10 mL, 15 mL, 20 mL, and 25 mL were added. On each of the final three days of the experiment, 25 mL were added.

Please follow the link: https://docs.google.com/document/edit?id=1vS-AGzKufQqT1GNo7YAUecktRTPhjo99idHH-mTcZCE&hl=en

Time: 1pm -Everyone is requested to bring in whatever research and data they have so far.
 * || BHSEC Fathead Minnow Group 's meeting has been scheduled for tomorrow at the Starbucks location listed below.

Where: West 43rd and Broadway 1500 Broadway  New York, New York 10019 ||

Update: 5:03 PM, 5/16/2010: We conducted a small beaker experiment on Thursday with fertilizer, treated water, and tap water.
 * =  ||= Initial pH Value ||= pH value after introduction of fertilizer ||
 * = Tap Water ||= 4.5 - 5.0 ||= N/A ||
 * = Treated Water ||= 5.0 ||= 4.5 (immediately); 5.5 (one hour later) ||
 * Fertilizer || 0.5 - 1.0 || N/A ||

The small experiment was conducted in order to solve the question: whether algae growth affects the pH level of the water. Dissolved CO 2 is acidic, and algae removes it from water during the essential process of photosynthesis**. Doing so can cause the pH value to rise very rapidly, especially if it is warm.** Fertilizer also causes algal bloom.

Before the addition of fertilizer, the pH levels of all the tanks were at 6.0 - 6.5. After the addition of fertilizer, the experimental tanks went to a pH level of 7. Algae growth increased in experimental tanks (As observed). Fertilizer is acidic (as shown by our smaller experiment), and therefore when added, decreases the water pH value. Yet, if fertilizer stems algal growth*, then algal growth increases the pH value.

Effect of phosphorus (through the use of fertilizer) on the growth of algae. []
 * To clarify, conduct a experiment:

To understand: Once fertilizer addition was stopped, algae growth slowed down. A few days after fertilizer addition was stopped, pH values in both experimental dropped to 5.5. Why? ^ Another small beaker experiment?


 * Requesting members to fill in incomplete data and review claims and edit if required.

Additional data about connections between algal growth and pH levels:

[|**http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/ansci/livestoc/nm1281w.htm**] [|**http://www.nfkc.info/nfkconliine/Algae%20and%20How%20to%20Control%20It.htm**] [|**http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=52023**] [|**http://fins.actwin.com/aquatic-plants/month.9807/msg00445.html**] [|**http://www.uhttp://www.pondsystems.com/algae.htmlmich.edu/~gs265/society/waterpollution.htm**]

Update:11:09 PM- Tomorrow we will be doing a PowerPoint Presentation on the following for our project: After which we will continue to monitor our Fathead Minnows. No more fertilizer will be added. Our experiment should be wrapped up within the next 2 weeks. For now, data collection is being done. A small beaker experiment for fertilizer pH levels will be done on Thursday. Please make sure you are present.
 * Hypothesis
 * Experimental Design
 * Results

New: Check our presentation hub.

Update: 4/29/2010 1:45 PM:Fertilizer is being added since Monday. Weight, length, and height of fish are being recorded daily. Along with standard observations. Fertilizer +5ml every day

Monday: 5 ml Tuesday: 10 mL Wednesday: 15mL Thursday: 20 mL Friday: 25mL Some differences are being noticed, and ironically the death rate of fishes has slowed down. Contact Shanice or me (Junaid) to get more info on the differences.

Update: URGENT!
Chemical group: We need you to list the possible effects of Phosphorous on the Minnows. Environmental group: We need you to list all the possible effects of phosphorous on the tank's environment. General Data group: We need you to find efficient techniques for measuring the fish weight, length, and etc for Monday.

To everyone: Make sure you have all the data so far!


 * We need to collect quantitative data folks! We will be doing this on Monday and introducing fertilizer on Tuesday!**

**Update - 3:25 PM 4/18/10** **VERY IMPORTANT:** **Please visit the new page "Maintenance Scheduling" to update the days and times of your free periods before __tomorrow__ Wednesday April 21st!!**

Update - 10:46 PM 4/13/2010

Please see the Progress & Data Page. (All of today's issues and observations will be updated by tomorrow evening).

Update - 9.49 PM 04/11/2010 - Jobs for the experiment are as follows:

Water Replacement Conditioner Replacement Supplement Replacement
 * Chemical addition

^ All jobs mentioned above will be done on the __Thursday__ of each week, and therefore there is no need to assign individual group members to specific job orientated positions. ALL GROUP MEMBERS SHOULD BE PRESENT ON THURSDAY. Varied timings are accepted but must be brought to the "table" in advance. Also, if you are unable to be present to do your assigned observation and feeding, please be sure to communicate this with other members sooner rather than later so that we may be able to work around it effectively. Don't forget to bring your lab notebooks!

Daily Observation & Feeding:

Monday: Junaid Kapadia & Shanice Carr Tuesday: Shearlyn Carr & Yinette Ortiz Wednesday: Ourmela Morgan & Sama Wa Salim Thursday: All group members Friday: Margot Gasperetti & Junaid Kapadia/Shanice Carr/Shearlyn Carr/Yinette Ortiz/Ourmela Morgan/Sama Wa Salim


 * Assigned days are flexible.


 * Update - 10:39 PM 04/06/2010 - Hey folks! Hope you all had an enjoyable vacation and are ready to get back into the groove of things! Its time to regroup and get this project moving. We will be adding our supplements this Thursday, and so we will also conduct a meeting to come to a close on everyone's jobs for the rest of the semester. **


 * // Hi Everyone!! //**


 * // Here's the HW assignment that Dr. Tu wrote on the board during the exam: //**
 * // 1. Design specific experimental procedures for group projects //**
 * // 2. Make flow chart and schedule for daily work and ask group members to sign up for duties //**


 * // I was thinking we should all think about and work on this over break and compare notes when we return to school. //**
 * // Enjoy vacation! //**
 * // -margot //**


 * Note: Folks, this project requires communication and contribution from each one of the group members. Please see to it that each one of us as individuals are abiding to such an ideal.**


 * Update: 3:06PM - 03/25/2010 - We have added new pictures of plants which are placed in the aquarium. Go to the Progress & Data page to check them out !**


 * Update: 6:30 PM - 03/24/2010 - We have purchased 8/8 of our live aquarium plants which will be placed in the aquarium tomorrow when we condition the water, and add additional amounts of water which were lost due to water evaporation! Pictures of these freshwater Anacharis plants are added to the Progress & Data page.**


 * Update: 9:15 PM - 03/17/2010 - This past Tuesday we measured the evaporation levels for the tanks, the data of which can be found under the "Progress & Data Page" tab. In addition, two more bags of gravel were purchased, along with a water conditioner. Tomorrow we will be adding more gravel to the tanks.**


 * Note: Updates are continually made to the Progress & Data Page. Be sure to regularly check out the new pictures and information posted there!**

**Update: 11:34 AM - 03/15/2010 - Last week all four of our Minnow tanks were set up with gravel and etc. Conditioners and other required fluids will be purchased tomorrow and shall be applied to the tanks this upcoming Wednesday. Plants will also be (hopefully) placed into the environments before the end of this week.**

**Update: 5:19 PM - 03/11/2010 - GOOD NEWS! Two of four Minnow** **tanks have been set up and are now awaiting for the Minnows to be placed within! We will complete the purchasing of needed supplies within the next few days. Keep an eye on the Materials and Costs section which will be updated very soon with a list of items purchased/to be purchased and the reasons for why they are required.**

===Update:6:38 PM - 03/09/10 - We have resolved to begin purchasing supplies such as Aquarium Décor in preparation for our fatheads! It is necessary to commence creating this habitat so that the necessary changes can follow through before the minnows are places into their respective tanks. We have also reserved areas where the aquariums will be placed. ===

Update: **11:45 am - 03/04/2010 - From now on all meetings will take place once a week after 3:30 pm on Wednesdays. The meetings will be held at the school library.**

 **Update: 7:22 pm - 03/03/2010 - The guru of BHSEC II's (Queens) biology department-Prof. Tu-has been invited to the wiki. All minnows please bow in respect to the learned of them all!**

 **Welcome Professor!**

 Update: **6:45 pm** -03/02/2010 - Please familiarize yourself with the "Group Meetings" page. Also familiarize yourself with the new "Live Member Discussion" page.

 Update**: 5:37 pm** - 03/02/2010 - We have been able to attain the four aquariums necessary (two control, as well as two experimental groups) for our project. With this, we can begin thinking about the first steps such as planning the habitat, and having it mimic our fatheads' natural environment as closely as possible.

 If you have any ideas you would like to share in terms of research, and or have opinions on certain choices, along with issues you would like to bring up within our next group meeting, feel free to discuss with fellow members and or post your ideas here in the Wikispace Live Member Discussion tab.

**Our project ideas are now still in their tentative stages <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">final.Please feel encouraged to submit information and links here on the Wiki that can be beneficial to creating our project. This project cannot be completed without an entire group effort. **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">Site Management: Updates, communication....etc <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;"> Creator & Organizer - Junaid Kapadia <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;"> Co-Organizer - Shanice Carr <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;"> -Along with individual contributions from several members.