Salt Water Habitat
The tide pool is a salt water habitat. To create saltwater, water from the tap was mixed with Instant Ocean. Once it was allowed to sit in the tide pool for a week, some basic chemical tests were performed to determine that it was a suitable place for saltwater creatures to live. The pH level had to be a certain value, and it was tested daily. More salt or more water was added as needed, until the pH was at the ideal level. To be sure everything was working, a "test" resident was needed for the tidepool. It was decided that a lobster would be ideal. Lobsters are hardy and easy to care for. A trip to the local fish market produced a "test" lobster. Fred the lobster was put in the tide pool and watched closely over the next few days. He seemed healthy, and spent most of his time furiously building a cave with some rocks we had placed around the bottom of the tide pool. When fish scrapes were thrown in the tide pool, he would devour them. Now, a month later, Fred has proven that all the tide pool needs is mor sea animals. Other inhabitants will be gathered for the tide pool from scuba divers.
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