Science Fair ideas

[Flipturn88]

Hello everyone,

I was assigned the infamous biology project--Science Fair. The topic can be anything provided it is related to science. Because reefkeeping is practically it's own genre of science, I figured why not pick a topic about my hobby and make this project fun ?

However, my idea-sponge has run dry, and I was wondering if anyone had any ideas for a good topic related to saltwater.

There is one condition, and that is vertebrates are not allowed to be used in the expirament.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Kayla

[Lifestudent]

If it needs to be biology related with livestock, what about trying which foods work best on coral (LPS) growth. Examples could include various foods that are fed to corals such as cyclopese, mysid shrimp, brine shrimp, clam, ... You could target feed each coral specimen. To measure growth you could possibly take measurements by diameter or possibly weight.


Another idea could be a "Do It Yourself" Protein Skimmer and an explanation about what it does, how it works, why it's beneficial as well as how fractionation takes place naturally in the ocean. Perhaps expailn the different types of skimmers (e.g., venturi).

Also, what grade level are you presenting this to?

Bob

[bamann345]

humm....

since you cant use anything with a vertebrate, are corals considered vertebrates? That might be hard. Also, to keep a control and a variable group will be hard with a reef tank.

You might be able to do something on PAR of different MH, PC, VHO, and NO bulbs and different K bulbs also, what would provide the best growth and what is the closest to the sun??? Kinda dumb though.

When I was doing science fair I could use animals, so it was MUCH easier...

The project that I won state with was sound proof box. I would put a sound generator in a box with different types of insulating foam compared to "sound proof" foam to see what one, ammount, and thickness worked the best. I was measure for decibles of sound on the other side of the foam.


William

[Flipturn88]

Sorry I didn't specify this is for High School; 9th grade biology.

I'm pretty sure corals could be used since the teacher didn't say no inverts. The DIY skimmer sounds cool, but once again this is 9th grade and it doesn't need to get very complicated .

That's an interesting idea, bamann345. That is one I've never heard of before.

Thanks again

[Stanfill Reef]

With the equipment and test kits you have you could demonstrate the nitrogen cycle in your tank. It only uses bacteria, no vertabrates. Take some tank water in a 1 L container, add a measured dose of ammonia. Measure the initial concentrations of ammonia (shoot for about 100 ppm) and nitrate. Aerate. Measure decrease of ammonia over time and increase of nitrate. The amount of ammonia decrease should be equal to the amount of nitrate produced.

If you are really gung ho, when the ammonia is low you could turn off the air and keep measuring nitrate. When the oxygen is used up the nitrate will be converted to nitrogen gas and the concentrations in solution will go down. Or you could add some macro-algae and see the affect on nitrate over time (measure over several days time and continue to aerate).

You could then make a poster describing the nitrogen cycle in the tank and show all of the different pathways for nitrogen, including some of the recycle loops.

If you like this idea and you want more info, just let me know.

[georgiajams]

I was going to suggest what Stanfill did. Seems appropriate for a 9th grade project, doesn't require any corals or fish, and the test kits are readily available.

[wasabi]

come on man set up a full blown mini reef... will hold there interest alot longer.. i have a 2.5 gallon nano tank with lights and aeration i will be glad to donate for the project. i also have plenty of coral species to stock it with...

[Rick O]

Corals. Are they plants or animals? How long do they live? How do they reproduce, feed, protect themselves, etc, etc, etc. I'll bet most of your classmates think corals are plants.

[bamann345]

Wasabi, I am doing a science fair project on corals....how many freebes can I get?!?!?! Can you stock my 5.5 nano

hehehe, just joking. I like Wasabi idea, it would be fun too!

[Flipturn88]

Stanfill Reef & georgiajams: That sounds like an awesome idea that would be very informative, and I would like to get more info on that if my teacher approves the topic (I can't see why not).

But...
Wasabi: you're idea sounds really tempting . I would have to perform the experiment @ school, although that could be arranged easily. But how could I find a specific topic (hypothesis, scientific method, conclusion, etc) from setting up a mini-reef? You are right that would fascinate people--they are in love with the teacher's 10 gallon goldfish tank...and Rick O, I could show them that corals are indeed animals, not plants

Thanks everyone for all of the topics. I will talk to my teach and see what is/isn't allowed.

Kayla

[Flipturn88]

I got it:

I could explain the initial cycling of a saltwater tank and the relationship of the different components (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, etc) involving marine life; basic info to reefers, confusing "chemistry" to the others

How does that sound?

Now all I have to do is put it into a hypothesis somehow...

Thanks again,
Kayla

[wasabi]

set up the mini reef with freshly mixed water only. begin a man made cycle. after the cycle is complete add the rock and corals to prove the experiment is a success. like i said the offer of the mini 2.5 lights, and corals is always open

[Flipturn88]

Wasabi, I'll ask my teacher today and see what she says. If she approves, this would be awesome!

Thanks again,
Kayla

[Flipturn88]

Okay, I talked to my teacher and she said the project must include a hypothesis, control and variable group, experiment, and conclusion. So I thought I could talk about the effect of salinity on the ammonia/nitrite/nitrate cycle. I could perform a man-made cycle for 1 week and change the salinity each separate time (one week 1.019, 1.023, 1.027, etc). This would mean going through the cycle for one week each and then finding out which one cycled the fasest (although there is not enough time to complete the full cycle all three times...). She approved of that topic, and she said afterwards I could add the corals and liverock/sand to "prove the cycle was complete." Also, because I keep my salinity at 1.023, I would probably perform that test with that level last so that adjustment of the salinity wouldn't be necessary afterwards.

How does that sound?

Thanks,
Kayla

[Flipturn88]

Or temperature could work also if that would have more obvious results.