[Cyprinodontiformes] My new search project

[www.viviparos.com]

Dear friends,

A old ambition of mine is ( finally ) on the way.
>From 1985 to 2006 ( except for 1997 and 1998 ), my garden fish pond temperatures were
record once every day.
This was a very fastidious work.
The method it was also very imperfect but the intention was noble. You can read it
all from my webpage here - http://www.viviparos.com/Biologia/Lake.htm.
As you can see there, at the methodology section : All through the first stage ( from
January 1985 to December 1996 ), temperature readings were made with a
mercury-in-glass thermometer ( aquaria type ).
To standardize results as well as to correct any inaccuracy, ( particularly between
0ºc and 40ºC ), both thermometers readings were compared with a digital electronic
thermometer. 
These tests were taken for certifying and " calibrate " the temperatures measured as
good as possible.
In both cases, the mercury-in-glass thermometers remain floating all the time and
removal from water meant for examination, took only a few seconds, just the time
required for data interpretation ( temperature reading ).
Data collections happened usually between 8:00 and 9:00. On the odd occasion, some
readings have been done between 18:00 and 19:00, depending on convenience or weather
conditions. Nevertheless, an overwhelming preponderance of the readings had taken
place at morning period. Only a few had taken place at the end of the day.
>From January 1999 to December 2006, the mercury-in-glass thermometer was replaced by
a digital electronic one - Hanna Instruments HI 8424 ( pH, mV, ºC ).
Again the performance of this new equipment was compared with the same standard
digital equipment used for similar operation with the preceding two mercury-in-glass
thermometers on service before it.

>From January 2011 ahead this will change dramatically.
Next year will be a new starting point !
The new case study will be more accurate.
The test period will start after Christmas but data for this purpose will be
intentionally taken in to consideration only after 0:00 January the 1st, 2011.
In fact temperature records every 15 minutes will be taken 24/7 continuously and
stored in to 3 data loggers.
On phase I the system will work like this :

. One of this devices will get air temperatures protected and placed at 1,50 m from
the ground, strictly following the applicable recommendations emanated from the World
Meteorological Organization (WMO).

. One of the other two will be submerged at 15 cm depth on the larger pond ( 20.000
litres ).

. The third one will be submerged at 15 cm depth on the smaller pond ( 2.000 litres
).

All 3 devices will collect and record temperatures at the same time.

On phase II the system will work like this :

. One data logger will be submerged at 15 cm depth on the larger pond ( 20.000 litres
).

. The second one will be submerged down to the bottom of the larger pond ( 20.000
litres ).

. The third one will be submerged at 15 cm depth on the smaller pond ( 2.000 litres
).

. A personal weather station will work in association with the data loggers. The
composition of this station will be the following instruments - A data logger for
record air temperature every 15 minutes, a barometer for measuring barometric
pressure/air pressure, a hygrometer for measuring humidity, an anemometer for
measuring wind speed, a wind vane for measuring wind direction, and a rain gauge for
measuring precipitation.

. An electronic logger system for pH and water conductivity readings and records
every 15 minutes will also added.

All devices will collect and record temperatures at the same time.
What do I want to study with this project ?

At phase I :

a) Understand the relation between air temperature and water pond temperature in
order to learn past and present interactions ( as well as maybe predict future ones
in a close time ).

b) Get a rigorous print of the fish pond " climate ". For this target the records
will going on for the next 30 years ( I hope ).

c) Analyse abrupt changes caused by sudden phenomenon and the impact of perceptible
events on water temperature.

d) Compare the water temperature dynamics on two close ponds with a 10 times water
capacity contrast.

e) Evaluate the disturbance ( or not ) of events with predictable impact like partial
water exchanges and other management acts in both ponds in different times of the
year.

At phase II ( besides the continuum of the phase I objectives ) :

a) To get a precise notion about the various climacteric factors influencing water
temperature.
 
b) Analyse if there is any influence on a small depth ( +/- 1 metre ) on water
temperature and the weight of such deepness on sudden water temperature changes ( and
hypothetical differences ). This will help me to learn about what Goodeids and other
fish get from seek refuge from higher and lower temperatures on the bottom at a
relative shallow environment. 

So, that's all folks.
Wish me luck.
All comments and changes are very welcome.
Please take care and have a nice week.


Um abraço

Miguel Andrade