What is the Fish Corps?

1. Purpose: The purpose of our aquaponics set up is to determine the optimum amount of nitrates in a system, via protein content in fish food, to support plant growth without harming the fish.
2. Hypothesis: If protein levels in fish food are increased, then nitrate levels will increase, and therefore increase plant growth while supporting the Carassius auratus auratus (goldfish) through plant use of CO2 and release of oxygen into the water.
3. Qualitative Data: We will observe the frequency of the vertical behavior of fish to determine relative oxygen content in the water (comparing the times they spend near the top/middle/bottom with the chemical values), raw and mean plant growth (in centimeters), and relative fish size.
4. Quantitative Data: We are recording nitrates, nitrites, pH, alkalinity, hardness, and plant growth in centimeters.
5. Frequency of Data Collection: Data will be recorded biweekly (Mondays/Tuesdays and Fridays). 
6. Method of Data Collection: 5-in-1 aquarium test strips will be used to test for the aforementioned qualitative data. A ruler with centimeters will be used to measure plant growth. To gauge fish vertical behavior, we have divided both tanks into 3 regions: bottom, middle, and top.
7. Progress Documentation: The data values and observations in our aquarium-side lab notebook will be listed on this blog. Sporadic photographs and general updates will appear on our Twitter (@FishCorps). 
8. Final Data Report: Final data will be presented on a separate page of this blog in a research paper format.
9. Determination of Success: The success of this project depends on the survival of our fish and a clear difference in the effects of protein in the fish food on the growth of the plants.
10. The Initial Set-Up: