Aquarium & Fishkeeping Certificate Level 2

This course introduces the freshwater and marine aquarium hobbyist to various aspects of successful aquaria management. Rather than being an entertainment guide, which extols the virtues of one or other approach to aquaria management, this course presents the basic principles, themes and steps needed to set-up and maintain a freshwater or marine aquarium.

The course provides you with the key skills needed to set up and operate your business.

Module 1 – The Aquaria Hobby
On successful completion of this module the candidate will be able to:

Examine the history of the aquaria hobby, how it aids in relaxation and the different types of aquaria
Describe how an aquaria hobby is beneficial
Discuss the importance of species preservation
Identify the role aesthetic value plays in an aquarium
Module 2 - Equipment
On successful completion of this module the candidate will be able to:

Introduce and discuss the various equipment necessary in fish keeping
Evaluate the importance of choosing the correct tank
Discuss when a biological filtration would be used
Summarise when temperature monitoring comes into play
Module 3 - Water
On successful completion of this module the candidate will be able to:

Discuss Water Conditioning and Filtration
Analyse the importance of preparing water for the tank
Summarise when the control of water quality becomes important
Describe where you would use additives
Module 4 - Anatomy
On successful completion of this module the candidate will be able to:

Evaluate the evolution, anatomy, classification and distribution of fish
Examine why it is important to study fish anatomy
Summarise how you classify different fish
Module 5 - Selection
On successful completion of this module the candidate will be able to:

Examine fish placement, feeding and disease
Analyse why a fish’s health is important
Describe how observation is important in fish keeping
Judge where contra-indications are found
Module 6 - Breeding
On successful completion of this module the candidate will be able to:

Introduce and discuss the major aspects of fish breeding
Introduce 2 factors to consider with regard to fish compatibility
List the fundamental principles of successful breeding
Module 7 - The Total Aquarium
On successful completion of this module the candidate will be able to:

Discuss what needs to be considered when preparing and setting up an aquarium
Examine the importance of ornamental materials
Identify at what point of preparation water set-up occurs
Summarise at what point a set-up routine is of consequence
Module 8 - Maintenance
On successful completion of this module the candidate will be able to:

Describe the various aquarium maintenance routines and summarise common issues that the hobbyist may have to confront
Discuss how ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ corals differ