KEEP THE FLOWCOMENIUS PROJECT 2013-2015INSTALLATION OF AQUARIUMS IN PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

SPAINITALYROMANIAPOLANDTURKEYGERMANY

KEEP THE FLOWCOMENIUS PROJECT 2013-2015INSTALLATION OF AQUARIUMS IN PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

An aquarium is a fascinating object in every school. Students and teachers can do interesting observations and find out about water animals and their natural habitats. Of course each aquarium needs to be cleaned and fish, shrimp or turtles should be looked after regularly.

KEEP THE FLOWCOMENIUS PROJECT 2013-2015INSTALLATION OF AQUARIUMS IN PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

Therefore students and teachers should be prepared to take on responsibility for living organisms.

KEEP THE FLOWCOMENIUS PROJECT 2013-2015INSTALLATION OF AQUARIUMS IN PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

Before starting an aquarium, please think about…

• Who cares for the plants and animals?

• Which animals and plants are ideal for beginners?

• Saltwater or fresh water?

• What size should the aquarium have?

• What species can live together?

KEEP THE FLOWCOMENIUS PROJECT 2013-2015INSTALLATION OF AQUARIUMS IN PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

The ideal place for an aquarium is rather dark (no direct light) and not too warm. Sunlight may heat up the aquarium and lead to algae growth.

KEEP THE FLOWCOMENIUS PROJECT 2013-2015INSTALLATION OF AQUARIUMS IN PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

To keep the water clean, please install a filter. There are different filter systems for small and large aquariums. In general it is easier to start with a large aquarium.You also need light and a heating.

Attention: Always switch off electricity before working with water!!!

Never touch a plug with wet fingers!!!

The water is pumped through the filter. It is cleaned and takes up oxygen while being released into the fish tank.

The filter needs to be cleaned once in a week.

filter

KEEP THE FLOWCOMENIUS PROJECT 2013-2015INSTALLATION OF AQUARIUMS IN PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

Unplug any electric device. Take out the filter system.

KEEP THE FLOWCOMENIUS PROJECT 2013-2015INSTALLATION OF AQUARIUMS IN PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

This filter needs to be cleaned. It contains excrements of fish and bacteria.

KEEP THE FLOWCOMENIUS PROJECT 2013-2015INSTALLATION OF AQUARIUMS IN PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

The cleaned filter can be reinstalled.Larger filter systems contain different filter media (sponges and granulated material). They can clean water from phosphates and nitrates.

In many countries the water must also be unchlorinated with the help of chemicals.

When starting an aquarium it takes more than three weeks until the water quality is good enough for adding animals.

After some weeks you should also clean the layer of grit. This layer should be at least 5cm.

After each cleaning activity don‘t forget to wash your hands…

KEEP THE FLOWCOMENIUS PROJECT 2013-2015INSTALLATION OF AQUARIUMS IN PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

Plants are very important in aquariums. They clean the water when taking up minerals from excrements of animals and they produce oxygen.

KEEP THE FLOWCOMENIUS PROJECT 2013-2015INSTALLATION OF AQUARIUMS IN PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

In nature water is filtered by layers of soil, rock and sediments. Here you can see an experiment of the Spanish team. It shows an aquaponic system. Water is given to the plants. It is filtered by the soil. Afterwards the water can be used for an aquarium. The used water of the aquarium can be taken to irrigate the plants. This is a model of the water cycle in nature. Of course it is very difficult to keep up the water quality for a long time in such an experiment.

KEEP THE FLOWCOMENIUS PROJECT 2013-2015INSTALLATION OF AQUARIUMS IN PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

Here you can see the installation of an aquaponic system. For the installation you need plants, soil, layers of granulate, flexible tubes, a tank for the plants and an aquarium.

KEEP THE FLOWCOMENIUS PROJECT 2013-2015INSTALLATION OF AQUARIUMS IN PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

Always have a look at the temperature of the water. In case the water is too cold, the heating should start automatically. The temperature depends on the species of fish. Tropical fish needs warm water (23°C-27°C).

KEEP THE FLOWCOMENIUS PROJECT 2013-2015

PRESENTATION OF AQUARIUMS: SPAIN

KEEP THE FLOWCOMENIUS PROJECT 2013-2015

PRESENTATION OF AQUARIUMS: SPAIN

KEEP THE FLOWCOMENIUS PROJECT 2013-2015

PRESENTATION OF AQUARIUMS: GERMANY

KEEP THE FLOWCOMENIUS PROJECT 2013-2015

PRESENTATION OF AQUARIUMS: GERMANY

In case you want to keep turtles in your aquarium always think about…

• Some turtles can get very large (up to 40cm)

• Turtles can get very old

• Turtles may eat fish and plants

• They breathe in oxygen at the surface

• They need UV-light

KEEP THE FLOWCOMENIUS PROJECT 2013-2015

PRESENTATION OF AQUARIUMS: ITALY

KEEP THE FLOWCOMENIUS PROJECT 2013-2015

PRESENTATION OF AQUARIUMS: ITALY

KEEP THE FLOWCOMENIUS PROJECT 2013-2015

PRESENTATION OF AQUARIUMS: ROMANIA

KEEP THE FLOWCOMENIUS PROJECT 2013-2015

PRESENTATION OF AQUARIUMS: ROMANIA

KEEP THE FLOWCOMENIUS PROJECT 2013-2015

PRESENTATION OF AQUARIUMS: TURKEY

KEEP THE FLOWCOMENIUS PROJECT 2013-2015

PRESENTATION OF AQUARIUMS: TURKEY

KEEP THE FLOWCOMENIUS PROJECT 2013-2015

PRESENTATION OF AQUARIUMS: POLAND

You should feed your fish weekly. But be careful – don‘t feed too much. Food waste might lead to a growth of bacteria and algae. There will be less oxygen in the water and fish can get ill.

KEEP THE FLOWCOMENIUS PROJECT 2013-2015

PRESENTATION OF AQUARIUMS: POLAND