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Evidence Guide: ACMCAS403A - Design, construct and maintain aquascapes

Student: __________________________________________________

Signature: _________________________________________________

Tips for gathering evidence to demonstrate your skills

The important thing to remember when gathering evidence is that the more evidence the better - that is, the more evidence you gather to demonstrate your skills, the more confident an assessor can be that you have learned the skills not just at one point in time, but are continuing to apply and develop those skills (as opposed to just learning for the test!). Furthermore, one piece of evidence that you collect will not usualy demonstrate all the required criteria for a unit of competency, whereas multiple overlapping pieces of evidence will usually do the trick!

From the Wiki University

 

ACMCAS403A - Design, construct and maintain aquascapes

What evidence can you provide to prove your understanding of each of the following citeria?

Identify client needs

  1. Types of aquaria and proposed species to be housed are established.
  2. Proposed location and climatic conditions affecting design are identified.
  3. Special installation and/or maintenance requirements are confirmed with client.
  4. Advice on suitability of species and location is provided to client.
Types of aquaria and proposed species to be housed are established.

Completed
Date:

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Proposed location and climatic conditions affecting design are identified.

Completed
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Special installation and/or maintenance requirements are confirmed with client.

Completed
Date:

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Advice on suitability of species and location is provided to client.

Completed
Date:

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Prepare aquascape design

  1. Appropriate heating, lighting and filtration requirements are identified and selected according to the design parameters.
  2. Plants, features and substrate materials are selected according to the design parameters.
  3. Aquascape design is prepared in accordance with industry best practice and client needs.
Appropriate heating, lighting and filtration requirements are identified and selected according to the design parameters.

Completed
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Plants, features and substrate materials are selected according to the design parameters.

Completed
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Aquascape design is prepared in accordance with industry best practice and client needs.

Completed
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Establish aquascape

  1. Tools, equipment and materials appropriate to the job and occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements are selected and used, including personal protective equipment.
  2. Substrate is established, using appropriate materials in accordance with the design.
  3. Aquascape features and plants are installed and secured in accordance with the design and industry standards.
  4. Installation, testing and commissioning of lighting, heating and filtration systems are conducted in accordance with manufacturers' requirements.
  5. Ongoing maintenance requirements are discussed with client in preparation for handover.
  6. Waste from construction and installation is collected, treated and disposed of or recycled in accordance with organisational and environmental requirements.
  7. Worksite, tools and equipment are cleaned, returned to operating order and stored according to OHS and organisational requirements.
Tools, equipment and materials appropriate to the job and occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements are selected and used, including personal protective equipment.

Completed
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Substrate is established, using appropriate materials in accordance with the design.

Completed
Date:

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Aquascape features and plants are installed and secured in accordance with the design and industry standards.

Completed
Date:

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Installation, testing and commissioning of lighting, heating and filtration systems are conducted in accordance with manufacturers' requirements.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ongoing maintenance requirements are discussed with client in preparation for handover.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Waste from construction and installation is collected, treated and disposed of or recycled in accordance with organisational and environmental requirements.

Completed
Date:

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Worksite, tools and equipment are cleaned, returned to operating order and stored according to OHS and organisational requirements.

Completed
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Maintain aquascapes

  1. Water sampling and testing are conducted in accordance with species type and environmental requirements.
  2. Isolation of electrical equipment prior to maintenance is proven using appropriate techniques, procedures and equipment.
  3. Service and repairs are carried out according to manufacturers' specifications and organisational requirements.
  4. Health of aquaria and plants is monitored and reported.
  5. Complex faults are identified and referred for specialist advice and/or remedial action in accordance with organisational requirements.
  6. Accurate records are maintained in accordance with industry requirements and organisational policies and procedures.
Water sampling and testing are conducted in accordance with species type and environmental requirements.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isolation of electrical equipment prior to maintenance is proven using appropriate techniques, procedures and equipment.

Completed
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Service and repairs are carried out according to manufacturers' specifications and organisational requirements.

Completed
Date:

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Health of aquaria and plants is monitored and reported.

Completed
Date:

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Complex faults are identified and referred for specialist advice and/or remedial action in accordance with organisational requirements.

Completed
Date:

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Accurate records are maintained in accordance with industry requirements and organisational policies and procedures.

Completed
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Assessed

Teacher: ___________________________________ Date: _________

Signature: ________________________________________________

Comments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Instructions to Assessors

Evidence Guide

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 client's 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 one's 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 and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge

observed, documented and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks

simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions

workplace documentation (e.g. aquascape design plans)

third-party 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 (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. 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).

Required Skills and Knowledge

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 cross-infection

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 skills/language 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

problem-solving skills to use available resources and prioritise daily tasks

use safe manual handling techniques and/or 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

load-bearing 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.

Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Aquaria may include:

fresh and marine aquaria, pools and water features.

Aquascape design may include:

air pumps and water pumps

lighting

mechanical and electrical devices

natural and artificial features

substrate material.

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

advanced systems, including ultraviolet (UV) and ozone

energy requirements of pumping system and its suitability for aquaria selected

heating systems, including gas, electric and solar

infrastructure, including seepage pits and permaculture considerations

lighting systems, including UV, fluorescent, incandescent, metal halide and mercury vapour

mechanical, chemical and biological filtration systems.

Plants and features may include:

natural and artificial plants.

Tools and equipment may include:

surveying and levelling equipment:

levels and pegs

notebook, pencil and calculator

tools:

hammers

hose and hose fittings

rakes

rollers

shovels and spades

wheelbarrows

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

disturbance of utilities and services

hazards from the use of hired equipment

moving machinery, powered equipment and hand tools

solar radiation, dust and noise

uneven surfaces and holes

working in confined spaces and water hazards.

Personal protective equipment may include:

animal handling gauntlets

gloves

overalls

hard hats

hearing or eye protection

respirators or face masks

sun hats and sunscreen lotion

work boots.

Water sampling and testing may include:

tests for pH, salinity, chlorine, electro-conductivity, chloride, calcium carbonate, iron, turbidity and biological oxygen demand.

Service and repairs may include:

cleaning a range of aquaria surfaces, including glass, concrete and plastic

maintaining a range of filtration, pumping and heating systems

maintaining seepage pits and permaculture environments

salinity control, pH correction and chlorine neutralisers

water stabilizers.

Complex faults may include:

problems that are beyond the scope of service personnel and require the services of a licensed electrical tradesperson:

construction issues

power supply issues

plumbing issues

water quality issues.