This science and art project can be fun for any age and can be as simple or as complex as the child. Design fish from paper and install them in a waterless aquarium.
Many people enjoy an aquarium and tropical fishes, but aquariums and fish are hard to take care of and take up a large space. Once filled with water and inhabited with fish a tank cannot be moved. With this project, children can enjoy this hobby even when their circumstances do not allow the opportunity. The solution is a waterless aquarium.
The student builds a waterfree tank and constructs fish to swim in it. The child can design his tank from paper, plastic, or glass. He will then build an aquarium as if he were constructing a real water-filled tank.
How time-consuming and complicated this project is depends on what the child hopes to accomplish with it. Consider the following goals.
- Studying fish habitats
- Learning about types of fish
- Studying water plant life
- Creating art work
- Pursuing a plan for an actual aquarium with water
First choose a tank. Here are a few container ideas:
- A goldfish bowl
- A dry aquarium tank
- A gallon glass jar
- Poster board with a three dimensional frame made of black construction paper
- A square glass storage container or kitchen canister
- A box with rectangular sections cut from the back and front
Begin researching fish and habitats:
Once a container is selected and prepared the student can look through aquarium books and see how the backgrounds and environment of the tanks are set up. He may choose the environment for his tank, either freshwater, brackish water or marine.
Choose one habitat to portray in your tank. Here are some chooses:
(1.) Freshwater tanks
- Rain forest stream
- River
- Rocky lake
- Swamp
- Farm pond
- Creek
(2.) Brackish water tanks:
- Coastal streams
- Swamp
- Asian estuary
(3.) Marine Tanks:
- Ocean floor
- Hawaiian coral reef
- Tidal pool
Begin building an aquascape: Each type of tank would need a different type of setting with sand and rocks, pebbles, and such. Choose your tank bedding and set up your tank with real objects like driftwood, rocks, gravel, sand, sea shells, etc.
Create a place for fish to hide: Each will have different types of plants. Study the structure of plants found in the type of water habitat that you have chosen. Let the student cut layers of paper for sand or other tank floor and glue these in place. Next step is to fashion of construction paper, felt, ribbons or tissue paper the plants for the aquarium. Plastic or silk plants could also be used.
Embellish your tank: Clay can be used for rocks or coral, and anemones.
Bubbles and water can be represented with paper or plastic bubbles suspended in the tank or taped to the walls.
The student may want to present the equipment that is used in an aquarium--the filter, aerator, thermometer, heater, lights, etc. This can lead to research and study of aquarium operation and maintenance.
The child may also add tank extras like a small sunken ship , pirates chest of treasure, a rock cave, bridge, or some sort of little fish house.
Design the Fish: <>< <>< <><
Study the fish that can live together and that are suited for the habitat you have built. The fish should be fashioned after real fish, with colored modeling clay or cut from paper and taped into the inside glass or paper tank.
The fish can be made 3-D by constructing them of two pieces of paper and stuffing them with cotton balls for thickness.
The fish can be suspended on clear fishing line or thread or stuck on wires that make them appear to be swimming in the tank. Attach some fish to rocks, plants, or other parts of your aquascape.
Creative Learning: Before a child can own a real aquarium he has to know what type he wants, what fish can survive in it, and how to manage the tank. This project can work toward that goal, but for the most part can allow children who don't have the time, money, ability, or room for a tank of live fish to learn about fish, their habitats, and the workings of an aquarium. A creative child just might amaze you with the tank and the "fish" he comes up with.<><
