Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I have to start on my science fair project. I kind of found a topic but I can't elaborate my question. My project is due in March so I want a project that will take me atleast a month not a week. Well, I have a turtle and an aquarium. I've noticed there was white residue when my filter (which is a waterfall) was on. I also have a turtle (red ear slider) and maybe I can use it for my experiment? I use tap water for my aquarium. So my question is kind of like "What type of water will form less residue?" but I searched it up & I noticed the topic was in a K-5th grade level! I'm a freshmen so how can I make this topic more difficult? Or what other topics can I do that involves my turtle's aquarium since i'm interested in that.
The other areas i'm interested in are food topics.

dear hgblvjljhvh,

Thanks for contacting science buddies. I think that you can definetly use your aquarium as a part of your experiment. If you have a microscope you can design an experiment that monitors the algae/bacteria growth rate between aquariums that are filled with tap water vs. bottled water. You will need a microscope to count and classify the amount of algae/bacteria in samples of the water. (also be careful when working with bacteria and dirty water from aquariums)

Also, here are some high school level food science project ideas https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... kZvb2RTY2k You also might want to check out the zoology section of science buddies' project ideas. https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... php?ia=Zoo

good luck,
scienceexpert123

I dont have a microscope, but if I get one then how am I going to measure or count the bacteria if there is too many? & i need evidence and pictures so how am I going to get a picture of the bacteria?

& my teacher says the experiment needs to include:
Experimentation
Observation
Measurement
Conducting a Survey
Gathering of Numbers
& Building a Model

dear hgblvjljhvh,

If you need pictures you probably won't be able to do this experiment because only very expensive microscopes allow you to get pictures of the samples. I would suggest searching the science buddies science project ideas section for ideas on a different project: here is a link to zoological science fair project ideas https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... LGlhOlpvbw

here is a link to the general website for project ideas https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... deas.shtml

good luck,
scienceexpert123