Aquarium Camp for DIY Fishkeepers
Join us for a ton of DIY aquarium projects that you can do over the summer to make your fish tank an amazing and beautiful habitat for your fishy friends!
Jamye E Carr
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(373)
Rising Star
What's included
6 live meetings
6 in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. Students are encouraged to begin and continue a DIY project for their aquarium or create a plan for one if they do not currently own one. Students will be working independently although siblings or friends might choose to work together if time and availability allow it. This class requires that students are able to read and process basic instructional plans.Assessment
Project designs and plans will be turned in to the teacher: These will be turned in to the teacher and students will receive detailed feedback on 1) How healthy their choice of materials are for the fish, 2) How much can be saved in money and resources to build your own, and 3) How effective is the build.Class Experience
US Grade 6 - 9
Students will learn the basics and plans behind building a number of their own DIY projects related to keeping an aquarium. During our first meeting we will start with building tank dividers to separate a larger aquarium into smaller ones for fish like bettas. Subsequent meetings will involve students selecting from a number of projects including homemade filtration, aquaponics, or sump refugiums. We will learn how to read and implement plans for building your own inexpensive but secure aquarium stand and canopy, and how LED lights can be wired into a twinwall polycarbonate lid to provide a low profile light for growing plants in an aquarium. We will discuss how to use homemade objects to maintain and build aquarium supplies. I will be sharing my personal DIY projects, showing how a filter is made from recycled materials, and sharing images of in progress and completed projects throughout the course. This will be a workshop style class and students will be encouraged to work with a parent's supervision to create their project and bring it to show and problem solve any issues.
Learning Goals
Students will learn how to approach an aquarium DIY project, how to be safe using DIY tools and equipment, and how easily filters, pumps, sumps, waterfalls, overflows, and other aquarium supplies can be made.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Students will be learning how to use various power tools. Make sure that they are not allowed to operate these tools without adequate training and supervision in person. Measurements and kit ideas will be provided for any parents skilled in woodworking for what cuts may be requested.
Supply List
Supplies will be determined by the student's product of choice. For filters, students will need empty 1,2,or 3 liter soda or water bottles, a utility knife, rubber tubing, hot glue, polyfil stuffing (100% polyester with NO mildew resistant treatment (this treatment is toxic to fish), and a small pump or power head. For sumps, a 10 gallon aquarium and small pieces of acrylic or glass, along with a silicone gun and 100% GE Silicone (no mildew additives), masking tape and a larger pump. Individualized supply lists can be provided prior to the start of camp if the learner contacts me prior to the beginning of camp.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined March, 2020
4.8
373reviews
Rising Star
Teacher expertise and credentials
North Carolina Teaching Certificate in Science
Bachelor's Degree in Science from Texas A&M University
I am the Vice President of the Raleigh Aquarium Society, a public school teacher and a retired marine biologist. Living on a biologist salary, and now on a teacher's salary and having a fairly expensive hobby in fishkeeping, I have found ways to adapt, build and create new tools to keep my pets happy and healthy.Reviews
Live Group Class
$40
weekly or $79 for 6 classes3x per week, 2 weeks
60 min
Completed by 10 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-16
3-8 learners per class
