Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the range of contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this unit of competency may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment may depend on the work contexts.

What may aquaria include?
Fresh and marine aquaria, ponds and water features.

What might be included in an aquascape design?
Substrate material, natural and artificial features, mechanical and electrical devices, lighting, air pumps and water pumps.

What is an aquascape?
An aquascape is a purpose-built aquatic environment.

Which types of heating, lighting and filtration equipment may be used in an aquascape?
Aquascapes may include:
Mechanical, chemical and biological filtration systems; energy requirements of pumping system and its suitability for aquaria selected; infrastructure, including seepage pits and permaculture; and advanced systems including ultraviolet (UV) and ozone.
Lighting systems including UV, fluorescent, incandescent, metal halide and mercury vapour.
Heating systems including gas, electric and solar.

Which plants and features may be included in the aquascape?
Plants may include natural and artificial plants.
Features may include coral, rocks, ornamental features and covers.

What OHS hazards may be associated with the installation and maintenance of aquascape systems?
Hazards may include disturbance of services, solar radiation, dust, noise, uneven surfaces and holes, moving machinery and machinery parts, powered equipment and hand tools, confined spaces and hazards from the use of hired equipment.

What PPE may be required when installing and maintaining aquascapes?
Personal protective clothing and equipment will be determined by the activity being undertaken and may include work boots, gloves, overalls, sun hats, sunscreen lotion, safety harnesses, hard hats, hearing or eye protection and respirators or face masks.

Which tools and equipment may be required?
Tools and equipment may include surveying and levelling equipment such as levels and pegs; notebook, pencil and calculator; and tools such as rakes, shovels, spades, hammers, rollers, wheelbarrows, hoses and hose fittings.

What type of water sampling and testing may be required?
Water tests may include tests for pH, salinity, chlorine, electro-conductivity, chloride, calcium carbonate, iron, turbidity and biological oxygen demand.

Which service and repair activities may be carried out?
Salinity control; pH correction; chlorine neutralisers; water stabilizers; cleaning a range of aquaria surfaces including glass, concrete and plastic; maintaining a range of filtration, pumping and heating systems; and maintaining seepage pits and permaculture environments.

What type of complex faults may be found during aquascape maintenance?
Complex faults may include power supply problems that are beyond the scope of service personnel and require the services of a licensed electrical tradesperson.

What are the critical aspects of evidence required for this unit of competency as a whole?
The critical requirements that are valuable for this unit of competency as a whole are listed below.

Assessment must confirm one's ability to:

identify client's design needs
produce a range of aquascape designs
construct aquascapes
identify cause and effect of environmental problems and implement corrective action
apply correct cleaning and maintenance techniques.

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this unit of competency in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit of competency are listed below and include:

advanced knowledge of species environmental requirements
advanced knowledge of heating, lighting and filtration systems
advanced knowledge of aquaria plants
load-bearing capacity of architectural structures
advanced aquaria water chemistry.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These skills include:

aquascape design preparation and presentation
advanced aquascape construction
ability to install and maintain a range of filtration, lighting and heating systems
literacy skills to read, select and follow organisational policies and procedures, including OHS and infection control procedures; and record details and information accurately and legibly
interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities
oral communication skills / language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning, active listening and asking for clarification
numeracy skills to complete basic arithmetic calculations and measure volumes
problem-solving skills to use available resources and prioritise daily tasks.

What are the specific resource implications for this unit of competency?
For valid assessment, one
an appropriate workplace or an environment that reproduces normal work conditions
equipment and resources normally used in the workplace
aquaria types
filtration, lighting and heating systems
information on disease identification and treatment
water sampling and testing equipment
aquaria plants and substrate materials.

What considerations should there be for consistency in performance?
To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities and, where possible, over a number of assessment activities.
The skills and knowledge required to

What considerations should there be for context of assessment?
Assessment for this unit of competency is to be largely practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in a workplace or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions.
There must be access in either situation to the appropriate equipment and / or resources to enable one to demonstrate competency.

Are there other units of competency that could be assessed with this one?
This unit of competency
RUV3502A Provide advice on selection and care of aquatic animals

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this unit of competency. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
By discussing the design and installation of the aquascape with the client. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
By assessing different layouts and equipment options that may be incorporated into the aquascape design. (3)

Planning and organising activities
By planning and implementing the construction and maintenance of aquascapes. (3)

Working with others and in teams
By working with others to construct aquascapes according to design parameters. (3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
By calculating construction quantities and pump and filtration system flow rates; by assessing heating requirements relevant to species, plants and physical location; and by seeking and comparing quotations provided by suppliers. (3)

Solving problems
By recognising where corrective action is required and then implementing the appropriate action. (2)

Using technology
By operating any necessary equipment during the construction phase including communication technology and by calculating or measuring equipment. (2)