AGS 222 - Aquaculture/Aquarium Sci I

1. Explore careers implementing marine aquaculture related skills
   1. Discuss Educational / Entertainment uses for marine aquaculture
   2. Identify commercial aquaculture industries
2. Analyze feeding techniques
   1. Discuss components of proper nutrition
   2. Explore herbivore, carnivore, and omnivore feeding behaviors and requirements
   3. Demonstrate broadcast, target, and enrichment feedings
   4. Outline feeding frequency and durations
   5. Explain proper food handling techniques
3. Critique the components of proper husbandry in the maintenance of broodstock and newly produced offspring
   1. Demonstrate proper cleaning techniques for glass aquariums
   2. Discuss the necessity of observational skills and the importance of maintaining clean aquariums for the identification of problems at the initial stages of development
   3. Evaluate cross contamination and its catastrophic effects
   4. Analyze the importance and differences of equipment disinfection and sterilization
   5. Outline management benefits associated with re-circulating systems
   6. Explain necessity of water changes
   7. Demonstrate siphoning and substrate vacuuming techniques
   8. Cite reasons for the importance of data collection
   9. Describe the importance of species selection
   10. Explain the importance of quarantine
   11. List the importance of minimizing stress
4. Appraise how environmental mimicry can be a conditioning tool for spawning
   1. Explain aquarium STRESS and its negative effects on livestock
   2. Demonstrate creative aquascaping to relieve stress and lessen aggression
   3. Compare the effects of natural light cycles and consistent artificial lighting
5. Defend the need for light
   1. Discuss photosynthesis in regards to heterotrophic versus autotrophic corals
   2. Examination photoperiod as a spawning and egg-hatching trigger
   3. Analyze various types of lighting systems and their individual advantages
6. Compare and contrast the design of open versus closed aquaculture systems
   1. Identify various materials used in the manufacture of marine aquaculture systems including the advantages of using glass, acrylic, fiberglass, concrete, and plywood in broodstock holding systems
   2. Analyze the advantages of using Schedule 40 vs. Schedule 80 PVC plumbing
   3. Point out various common plumbing fittings and their proper application
   4. Demonstrate basic plumbing techniques essential for system design
   5. Assess evaporation in marine systems and the establishment of Maximum Fill Lines
   6. Calculate volume and weight of marine water
7. Characterize taxonomical identification of on-site species
   1. Identify taxonomical names for fresh water species
   2. Identify taxonomical names for fresh salt water species
8. Interpret the nitrogen cycle and its effect on marine aquaculture
   1. Establish protocols for testing for nitrogen levels for production tanks
   2. Identify the dissolved oxygen levels on production systems
9. Differentiate between the essential components and pollutants of saltwater
   1. Demonstrate reverse osmosis water purification
   2. Manufacture synthetic saltwater
10. Appraise water quality analysis
    1. Demonstrate proper water sampling and analysis techniques
    2. Measure and adjust salinity and temperature
    3. Solve for dissolved oxygen issues
    4. Analyze ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate concentrations
    5. Adjust pH and alkalinity
    6. Solve for phosphates excursions
    7. Adjust calcium and magnesium concentrations
11. Compare and contrast biological, mechanical, and chemical filtration
    1. Assess various filters
    2. Utilize protein skimmers
    3. Outline the benefits of UV sterilization
12. Categorize common marine diseases and treatment protocols
    1. Explain the impact of marine diseases on production levels.
    2. Prepare appropriate control treatments for each disease