Required skills

adjust water quality and conditions to suit aquascape and species requirements

collect and test water samples using appropriate equipment correctly

construct advanced aquascapes

employ safe and environmentally responsible organisational systems and procedures when working with and handling aquatic animals

maintain the highest standards of hygiene and infection control at all times to reduce the risk of infection and crossinfection

maintain records and write workplace documents

recognise behaviours and conditions that could be indicative of possible aquatic animal health problems

literacy skills to read and follow organisation policies and procedures including OHS and waste management procedures and other organisational policies and procedures follow sequenced written instructions including treatment instructions record accurately and legibly information collected and select and apply procedures to a range of defined tasks

oral communication skillslanguage to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning techniques active listening and asking for clarification

numeracy skills to estimate calculate and record routine and more complex workplace measures and data

interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities

problemsolving skills to use available resources and prioritise daily tasks

use safe manual handling techniques andor equipment

use safe waste handling and disposal procedures

Required knowledge

aquatic animal biologyrelated to the care and wellbeing of commonly held species

aquaria water chemistry including water quality adjustment procedures and chemicals used to correct water conditions of aquascapes

appropriate aquaria heating lighting and filtration systems

environmental requirements for commonly held species

general maintenance and cleaning of aquaria

loadbearing capacity of architectural structures

normal and abnormal behaviour of aquatic species

organisation policies procedures and requirements including OHS and emergency procedures

plants features and substrate materials suitable for aquascapes

principles of animal ethics and welfare

relevant OHS and animal welfare legislative requirements and codes of practice including environmental regulations

relevant recordkeeping systems

safe aquatic animal handling techniques and procedures

safe work practices

signs of common aquatic animal diseases and parasitic infestations and their transmission between aquatic animals

water sampling testing and analysis procedures and techniques

ideal water conditions and quality for a range of aquatic animals including Ph nitrate nitrite ammonia salinity calcium and hardness

workplace hygiene standards disinfectants cleaning agents cleaning techniques and cleaning equipment and materials

zoonotic diseases associated with animal care and methods of prevention and control

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit Assessors should ensure that candidates can

identify clients needs and produce a range of aquascape designs that provides a suitable environment for the selected species and desired features

construct aquascapes in accordance with OHS and organisation policies and procedures

identify cause and effect of environmental problems and implement corrective action

apply correct cleaning and maintenance techniques

maintain records and required documentation

The skills and knowledge required to design construct and maintain aquascapesmust be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of this unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in companion animal workplaces that design construct and maintain aquascapes for clients or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions

There must be access to a range of aquatic species or breeds as well as the relevant information materials and documentation

Method of assessment

To ensure consistency in ones performance competency should be demonstrated to industry defined standards on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances cases and responsibilities and over a number of assessment activities

The assessment strategies must include practical skills assessment Suggested strategies for this unit are

written andor oral assessment of candidates required knowledge

observed documented and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidates application of practical tasks

simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions

workplace documentation eg aquascape design plans

thirdparty evidence

portfolio

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector workplace and job role

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands eg literacy and numeracy demands and the needs of particular target groups eg people with disabilities Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people women people with a language background other than English youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds

Aquaria may include:

Aquascape design may include:

Heating, lighting and filtration equipment used in an aquascape may include:

Plants and features may include:

Tools and equipment may include:

OHS hazards associated with the installation and maintenance of aquascape systems may include:

Personal protective equipment may include:

Water sampling and testing may include:

Service and repairs may include:

Complex faults may include: