ALQUATICS
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Week 03 · Tuesday, October 6, 2026

A Field Trip Through the Meadowlands

A little work field trip through the Meadowlands. I brought the camera, obviously.

Today work took us out onto the water for a guided pontoon boat trip through the Meadowlands, leaving from River Barge Park and Marina in Carlstadt. The tour was with the NJSEA, which now carries on the work of the former New Jersey Meadowlands Commission.

Passengers aboard a New Jersey Meadowlands Commission pontoon boat as a guide points toward shore
Out on the water with the Meadowlands tour crew.

We are working on headstarting terrapins at Liberty Science Center, so my boss thought this would be a good opportunity to get out into the habitat and learn more about the conservation work happening nearby. Rich from SEA LIFE and some of his crew joined us for the trip.

A pontoon boat traveling through a channel bordered by marsh grasses
Following the marsh channels and learning about the landscape around us.

We rode up through the marshes while our guides showed us what they’ve been working on for about twenty years. Restoring habitat for migratory birds, planting trees, and taking care of the wetlands. It’s a lot of work that I wouldn’t have known about just driving past.

A heron standing on an exposed mudflat beside marsh grasses
A heron along the marsh edge, photographed from the boat.

With the terrapin project at work, it was good to actually get out and see the habitat. And between the birds and the marshes, I had plenty to point the camera at.

A road bridge on tall concrete supports beside the river and marsh
A view of the riverbank beneath the surrounding infrastructure.
The Manhattan skyline beyond the river and developed shoreline
The Manhattan skyline in the distance: this habitat sits right alongside the city.

More about the Meadowlands boat tours

Wednesday, October 7, 2026 · Week 03

Low ammonia, a jump in nitrite

Tonight’s tests: ammonia 0.25 ppm, nitrite 1 ppm, and nitrate 40 ppm.

Ammonia is finally coming down, but nitrite still has a way to go. I think I’m around the high-nitrite part of the cycle.

Illustrative nitrogen cycle, with a red circle marking the estimated high-nitrite stage
I circled where I think I am. Still waiting for those readings to hit zero.
October 7 ammonia test vial beside the API color chart
Ammonia: 0.25 ppm.
October 7 nitrite test vial beside the API color chart
Nitrite: 1 ppm.
October 7 nitrate test vial beside the API color chart
Nitrate: 40 ppm.

Friday, October 9, 2026 · Week 03

Nitrite is up again

Tonight’s tests: ammonia 0.25 ppm, nitrite 2.0 ppm, and nitrate 80 ppm.

Same test kits. Ammonia hasn’t moved, but nitrite and nitrate are up. Still waiting for ammonia and nitrite to hit zero.

Sunday, October 11, 2026 · Week 03

Ammonia finally hit zero

After weeks of waiting, I finally got my first zero-ammonia reading tonight. Nitrite is still at 2.0 ppm, and nitrate is holding at 80 ppm.

It’s a big step forward, but I’m not calling the cycle finished yet. Now I’m waiting for nitrite to come down too.

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