Making a Model of
a Closed Ecosystem

 

Getting Hooked on Ecojars

Chemical Laboratory Technician (CLT)

  1. Collect all of the equipment required for measuring the temperature, nitrate, nitrite, hardness, alkalinity, and pH.
  2. Measure the temperature and give the value to the PM.
  3. Measure the pH and give the value to the PM.
  4. Measure the ammonia level and give the value to the PM.
  5. Return the equipment to the appropriate location.
  6. Clean up their section of the lab station.

Biological Laboratory Technician (BLT not bacon, lettuce and tomato!)

During the initial setup of the aquarium, BLT will:

  1. Obtain the aquarium (after the water has sat for 48 hours)
  2. Add the following to the aquarium:
    • a squirt of stress enzyme (stress coat)
    • 4 strands of aquatic plants - push them into the gravel
    • 6 small snails
    • d) 3 guppies
  3. Return the aquarium (with the lid on) after CLT has finished with the chemical tests.
 

After the initial setup, the BLT will:

  1. Obtain the aquarium for data analysis.
  2. Count the number of fish and give the value to the PM.
  3. Count the number of snails and give the value to the PM.
  4. Describe the plant life in the aquarium to the PM.
  5. Describe the physical appearance of the water (e.g., cloudy, clear, colour) to the PM.
    Note: a healthy ecosystem will have a pale green colour in the water because of the algae. The algae were developed from the spores that were present on the plants and animals. If the water does not develop a green colour, move the aquarium closer to the light source.
  6. Return the aquarium (with lid on) to the appropriate location when you and the CLT are finished.