Podcast Summary:
In this episode, I speak to Dr Jessie Sanders about fish water quality and environment stress. Goldfish and Betta fish are two of the most commonly kept fish species in the world. Naturally, this means many exotic veterinarians see these pet fish in practice. One of the most important diagnostic tests we have to investigate further is a water quality test. Listen to this podcast to learn more about how to optimise aquariums systems, how to approach sources of fish environmental stress, how to effectively interpret the major water quality parameters and how to use this information to correct water quality problems.
Dr Jessie Sanders is a certified aquatic veterinarian through the World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association and the Chief veterinarian of Aquatic Veterinary Services in California, USA. She is also a past president of the American Association of Fish Veterinarians. Dr Sanders is a regular speaker at veterinary conferences. She is also the author of a children’s book series: Boo and Bubbles.
Podcast notes:
5.18 Optimal aquarium systems for goldfish and betta fish
20.33 Fish water quality diagnostic testing
26.58 Water quality test: Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate
39.11 Water quality test: pH
41:07 Buffers in aquarium tanks
45:00 Water quality test: Water hardness
48:23 Managing fish oxygen stress
50:58 Testing water temperature
54:07 How to deal with algae problems
Links & Resources:
- Aquavet – An aquatic veterinary medicine program run by Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine
- Remember there are 3.8L in a gallon 😉
- Reverse osmosis water
- Hach fish farming water test kit
- MS 222 for fish anaesthesia
- Bait bucket bubblers – Looks like you can get them from most aquarium equipment and supply stores.
- The Happiness Equation – Neil Pasricha
(Affiliate note: Some of the books have affiliate links. It means this podcast will get a credit if you end up buying a book. It’s a nice and fully optional way for you to help out the running of this podcast if you choose to do so.)