Changing the Water in the Aquarium

Objective:

The student will be able to change the water in the Aquademics™ aquarium with minimal supervision.

Materials Needed:

• Five-gallon bucket
• A Tetra Hydro-Clean® device
• A calendar
• Materials to make a chart (markers, paper or poster paper)

Activity:

Remind students about the types of impurities that must not be allowed to reach dangerous proportions in the Aquademics™ aquarium, such as waste, uneaten food, ammonia, other bacteria, etc.  Impress upon students that the best way to keep the tank healthy and the fish very happy is to schedule regular water changes for the aquarium.

Have the students make a "Water Change Chart."  Using a calendar as a reference, have students list dates on the chart at two week intervals.  Tell students that everyone in the class will be trained on the water change procedure so that, over the course of the academic year, everyone will have plenty of opportunities to participate in this important task.

How to Change the Water in the Aquademics™ Tank

1. Always unplug all electrical accessories before attempting to remove water from the tank.
2. Do not remove all of the water at one time; this will destroy the ecosystem that students have worked so hard to build up.
3. Using a plastic siphon device such as the Tetra Hydro-Clean®, begin a pumping action to drain about 20 percent of the existing tank water into the classroom sink or a plastic five-gallon bucket.
4. Empty the bucket, rinse it out and refill with replacement water, which should be the same temperature as the aquarium.  Students can use their fingers to test back and forth from the tank to the bucket, adding warm or cool water as necessary, until temperature seems equal.
5. Remove any algae growth from the front side of the glass with a clean sponge (no soap!)
6. Check filters and change if necessary.
7. Add Tetra AquaSafe® to the replacement water.
8. Gently pour the replacement water into the tank.
9. Plug in electrical accessories.

Result:

Students will learn the appropriate water change technique which is a critical part of being a responsible and successful aquarium owner.