Course CodeBEN105Fee CodeS1Duration (approx)100 hoursQualificationStatement of Attainment Learn to manage an Aquarium Tank or Fish Pond The water ecosystem Equipment and System Design Aquatic animals and Plants Managing Fish Health Types of Fish Freshwater and Saltwater Tanks Breeding Fish Lesson Structure There are 10 lessons in this course: Scope and Nature of Aquaria Aquarium use and management The categories of aquariums Aquariums for fish communities Aquaria Size and Complexity Water quality control Types of Equipment The Water Ecosystem Interactions between organisms and the water environment Checking abiotic factors Different types of natural ecosystems Saltwater ecosystems Freshwater ecosystems Brackish water ecosystems City or Municipal domestic water supplies Rainwater Well or bore water Water quality in the aquarium ecosystem Water treatment options Energy relationships Plants and nutrients Photosynthesis Pollution in an aquarium Nitrogen cycle Overcrowding Overfeeding Water Quality and Management Tank capacity/Tank size Maintaining a Balanced Nitrogen Cycle Aquarium Cycling Changing the Water Vacuuming Algae Removal How to avoid Overfeeding Water Conditions Water Temperature Water Hardness Water pH Salinity Gas Exchange in the Aquarium Preventative Care Moving Your Aquarium Safely Equipment and System Design Learn about the equipment and systems for different aquariums Aquarium Equipment Aquarium Tank Filtration Aeration Light System Aquarium Light Timer (optional) Tank Cover Heaters and Thermometers Gravel Plants and Decorations pH meters Refractometers/Hydrometers Water and Other Additives Adding the Fish Suitable Inhabitants for Your Aquarium Determine appropriate species of animal and plant life to introduce into an aquarium. Freshwater fish types Livebearers Loaches Anabantids Catfish Tetras Cyprinids Rainbow fish Branchiopoda Gastropods Freshwater Aquarium Plants Cold Water Plants Tropical Fresh Water Plants Brackish Water Plants Saltwater Fish Types Saltwater (Marine) Aquarium Plants Fish Health and Diseases Fish Diet Fish Diet Related Problems Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency Origin of Diseases Environmental Diseases Common Signs of an Unhealthy Tank Diseases Caused by Water Quality and Chemistry Problems Water Contamination and Poisoning Ammonia and Nitrate Poisoning Oxygen Starvation - Hypoxia Pathogenic Disease Causes Viral Diseases Bacterial Diseases Fungal Diseases Genetic Diseases and Disorders Parasites Plant Problems Treatment of Diseases and Parasites Quarantine Tank Coral Bleaching Freshwater Tanks How to establish a freshwater tank Tank Selection and Decorations Setting up Tank Décor Setting up Planted Tanks Aqua-scaping Basic Equipment Electricity and Aquarium Set-up Heater Installation Filters and Air Pumps Lighting and Hood Solar Heating Other Equipment Selection and Addition of Fish Feeding Requirements Cleaning and Maintenance Simple Saltwater Tanks How to establish a saltwater tank Tank Selection Saltwater Tank Cycling Filter Basic Equipment for saltwater tanks Heaters and Thermometres Light System Test Kits Selection and Addition of Fish and Other Invertebrates Feeding Requirements Cleaning and Maintenance Critical Parameters Affecting Salinity How concentrations of ions affect salinity How temperature affects salinity Maintenance Learn how to maintain a tank Correct Tank Set-Up and Maintenance Checking the Lighting Checking the Temperature Filter Maintenance Checking and Maintaining Water Quality Fish Observation Plant Maintenance Algae Removal Regular Vacuuming Regular Water Changes Preventative Care Emergencies Breeding Fish Reproduction and Behaviour Live Bearers Egg Layers Breeding Tank Set-up and General Requirements Early Stages - Selecting and Conditioning the Pair Triggering Breeding Hatching the Raising Fry Breeding and Genetics Nutrition Cultivating Your Own Food Fish Legality in Different Countries Aquarium Care Ultraviolet (UV) Sterilisation Cleaning and Maintenance Maintenance of Plants Checking Filters Water Changes Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.