Before You Start: The PA TIC Resource Guide

Many PA TIC documents and educational resources are available throughout the PA TIC website, including under "Essential Documents" on our DIVE INTO TIC page and in our EDUCATION page. The PA TIC Aquarium Resource Guide is perhaps the most essential of these resources for PA TIC teachers and partners.

Acting as a "one-stop doc" on PA TIC, the PA TIC Aquarium Resource Guide provides in-depth information on equipment, aquarium set-up/maintenance, trout care, and more. The guide was updated in 2020 to reflect the program's transition from brook trout to rainbow trout. 

Download the PA TIC Resource Guide below, either as one document or in individual sections: 
​PA TIC Aquarium Resource Guide (Full Version)

• ​Overview, Acknowledgments, & Table of Contents
• Chapter 1: Pennsylvania Watersheds
• Chapter 2: Pennsylvania Salmonids
• Chapter 3: Life Cycle
• ​Chapter 4: Habitat
• Chapter 5: Making the Connection
• ​Chapter 6: Aquarium
• Chapter 7: Trout Care
• Chapter 8: Coldwater Ecosystem
• ​Chapter 9: Record Keeping
• Chapter 10: Aquatic Invasive Species
• Chapter 11: Troubleshooting
• Equipment List
• ​Glossary

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Aquarium Set-Up Video Library

The following video library will help orient you to setting up your PA TIC aquarium.
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All equipment and methods modeled in these video act as helpful guidelines for how to set up your own aquarium, but PA TIC teachers and partners may adapt their own set-up as needed.

Aquarium Preparation

1. Aquarium Location (Video)
2. ​Equipment Overview (Video)
3. ​Additional Equipment (Video)
4. Aquarium Gravel Preparation (Video)
5. Gravel to Aquarium Placement (Video)​
6. ​Python Water Changer Connection (Video)
7. ​Filling Aquarium (Video)
8. Make Your Own Egg Basket (PDF Download)​

Filter Set-Up

1. Washing Filter Media (Video)
2. Loading & Stacking the Filter Media (Video)
3. Fluval 407 Lid Assembly (Video)
4. ​Filling the Filter (Video)
5. Filter Intake Assembly (Video)
6. Fluval to Aquarium Set Up (Video)
7. ​Priming Filter Hoses (Video)
8. Priming & Powering On Filter (Video)
9. Powerhead Assembly and Installation (Video)​

​​Airpump & Airstone Set-Up

1. Airpump & Airstone Prep & Installation (Video)​

Chiller Set-Up

1. Chiller Set Up & Operation (Video)
2. Measuring Water Temperature (Video)
   

Fish Health Presentation

This is a PDF of a PowerPoint that was presented during the Virtual Teacher Training held in June 2020 and contains information on how to keep your trout healthy and what to do if your fish appear sick.  
      1. Fish Health (PDF)

Dive Deeper into TIC!

For a deeper look at the PA TIC program, including an overview, classroom objectives, essential documents, and how to get started, please visit the DIVE INTO TIC ​landing page. Also be sure to visit its various subsections: Getting Started, Essential Documents, Program Timeline, Program Directory, Program Partners, Aquarium Set-Up, and Required Forms.