Small aquariums: features, varieties, selection and settlement

Tanks with a volume of 3 to 30 liters can be considered small. There are also very miniature options - containers for 1-2 liters, but they do not keep fish in them, but create mini-gardens of aquatic plants with snails. Small tanks are also called nano aquariums, from the Greek word for "tiny". Some fish species are successfully kept in them.

At nano aquariums there are a number of significant advantages:

• low cost - the price of a 10-liter aquarium starts at 600 rubles;
• compactness - for a small aquarium it is not necessary to buy a special cabinet, it can be placed on a desk or dressing table;
• light weight - the tank is easy to transport.

Before you buy a nano aquarium, you should also familiarize yourself with the disadvantages of its content:

• in an artificial reservoir of small size, it is difficult to achieve biological equilibrium, water indicators may be unstable;
• the aquatic environment becomes polluted faster, so it is more difficult to care for the aquarium;
• large fish must not be kept.

Despite these disadvantages, small, unpretentious fish are successfully kept in such volumes. Guppies, neons and cockerels will do well in a small tank as long as overcrowding is avoided.

There are many different forms of nano aquariums. Each breeder will be able to choose a suitable option for himself.

This is a classic in the aquarium world. All types of fish feel comfortable in such tanks. The aspect ratio is most often the following: for a 5-liter - 25 × 13 × 15.5 cm, for a 10-liter - 32 × 15 × 21 cm, for a 20-liter - 36 × 19 × 29, and for a 30-liter - 40 × 23 × 32.

These aquariums are also rectangular in shape, but they have a curved front glass.Because of this, the internal image of the underwater world can be distorted. Despite this, many people like this form, because "Televisions" look very beautiful in the interior.

Rectangular aquarium with beveled corners. Provides good viewing, fish can be admired from any angle.

Containers with equal sides. The 10-liter aquarium is 21x21 cm, and the 20-liter is 27x27 cm.

These are aquariums in the form of a ball or glass. It is believed that in a container of this shape it is very uncomfortable for almost all types of fish. Nevertheless, unpretentious fish are successfully kept, it is especially popular to keep a cockerel in a glass.

These are narrow, elongated aquariums. The aspect ratio can be different, some manufacturers make the containers more elongated, others wider. A cylindrical aquarium, like a round one, is not very convenient for fish, especially it is not recommended to keep catfish in it.

Aquariums of an original form, one side of which is completely flat and straight, and the other is rounded. They look especially interesting if you hang them on the wall.

Compact and comfortable. These aquariums can be placed in the corner of the desk, they do not take up much space. Among the models there are options with both straight and curved front glass. The approximate dimensions of a 10-liter triangular aquarium are 25 × 25 × 18, and a 30-liter one is 34 × 34 × 27.

Now there are many aquariums of an unusual shape: in the form of a jug, a diamond, a house. Especially interesting is such a creative option as two cubes connected by a tunnel. Tanks of this shape are very difficult to equip on their own, therefore, most often they are sold already fully equipped with all the necessary paraphernalia.

A beginner should be aware that a hand-bought second-hand aquarium often breaks down quickly.

Preference should be given to well-known manufacturers:

• Aquael;
• Juwel;
• Biodesign;
• Tetra;
• Ferplast.

When buying an aquarium, you should carefully consider the glass; the presence of chips and scratches is unacceptable here.

The glass thickness for all aquariums up to 30 liters in volume must be at least 4 mm. But it is worth paying attention to the type of glass.

Currently, the following materials are used for the manufacture of aquariums.

• Acrylic - This material perfectly retains heat in the aquarium, in addition, it is durable and lightweight. Of the minuses, it can be noted that scratches form on it quickly, but they are easy to polish.

• Organic glass Is the most popular material for making aquariums. It's cheap and scratch-resistant, but heavy and fragile.

• Float glass - this is a very transparent glass, through which it is interesting to observe the underwater life, the picture is transmitted without distortion. Float glass aquariums are not cheap, most often they are made to order.

For the home, you can choose a tank from any material, but in public places with a large number of people, it is better to install an acrylic aquarium. It is more durable and if it falls, it will be possible to avoid injury.

Although the aquarium is small, it must be equipped with all the necessary equipment:

• filter;
• aeration system (compressor);
• heater;
• lamps.

The filtration system will keep the water clean.And this is necessary not only for aesthetic reasons, but also to maintain the health of the fish. All filters are divided into 2 types.

• Internal. Placed inside the aquarium. They have a very simple structure, but sometimes they create too much water flow. In addition, a small aquarium takes up a lot of space.
• External. Their dimensions are larger than those of external ones, but such filters are placed outside the aquarium, only a tube is inside the reservoir.

In natural reservoirs, due to the wind and the current created by it, natural aeration of water occurs. In the aquarium, it is necessary to artificially create such a process.

If there is no filter in the aquarium or it does not saturate the water with oxygen, then a compressor is needed. They are of three types.

• Diaphragm compressors. Their main plus is cost. They are not very powerful, but they are fine for a small aquarium.
• Reciprocating compressors. They have excellent power, which is enough for several aquariums.
• Piezoelectric compressors. Compact and quiet, it is the best option for a small aquarium.

You can calculate the required compressor power for a specific tank using the following formula: multiply 0.5-0.8 by the volume of the aquarium. For example, for a 30-liter capacity, a compressor with a capacity of at least 15-24 liters per hour is required.

This is an approximate figure, because the conditions of detention of different species may differ slightly. Some fish are very sensitive to water temperature, so a thermometer is installed in the aquarium. If it is too cold in the reservoir, then a heater is also placed. It does not take up much space and allows you to maintain a comfortable water temperature for heat-loving fish.

Drafts and direct sunlight are harmful to fish and plants. Therefore, the container is placed at a small distance from the window and equipped with artificial lighting. Fluorescent lamps or LED lamps are placed above the reservoir. In the evening, the lighting must be turned off, because some aquatic inhabitants, for example, catfish, prefer a nocturnal lifestyle.

At home, a small aquarium can be decorated in the following ways:

• fill the bottom with soil;
• plant bushes of plants;
• stick a beautiful background on the back wall;
• place driftwood, shells and other decor items.

It is better to choose a dark background, since the color of the fish does not look so impressive on a light one. In addition, the white soil is very easily soiled, and after a few months, white stones can turn greenish or dirty gray. Pebbles and sand are carefully poured onto the bottom, at least 2 cm thick. Too sharp pebbles are best taken away, fish can be injured on their edges.

Plants play an important role in the aquarium. They contribute to the formation of a fish-friendly ecosystem, and for some fish species they serve as a shelter and a source of plant food. The following types of algae are suitable for a small aquarium:

• vallisneria;
• dwarf anubias;
• cryptocoryne;
• cladofora;
• riccia;
• didiplis;
• javanese moss;
• bacopa.

The shape of the aquarium should also be taken into account: for example, in a round or square reservoir, one bush with long leaves, planted in the center, will look best. You can also come up with your own original landing patterns.The main thing is to observe the measure and periodically thin out strongly overgrown plants.

The back wall of the aquarium can be beautifully decorated. For this, there are special films that are glued to the glass. Water surface, sun glare, mountains, forest landscapes, images of sea creatures - such pictures will significantly transform the aquarium. Volumetric images of stones and rocks look especially impressive. At the bottom you can put driftwood, inverted pottery shards, houses, grottoes. Such decorations have not only an aesthetic function, but also serve as a reliable shelter for shy fish and fry.

As noted above, caring for a small aquarium is not as easy as it might seem at first glance. The main thing is to keep it clean. To do this, every 4-7 days, a quarter of the water is replaced with fresh one. The frequency of the change depends on the size of the tank: the smaller it is, the more often the procedure is carried out.

In small aquariums, soil cleaning can be easily combined with a water change procedure. Indeed, in the process of working with a siphon, about a quarter of the old water is sucked out of the aquarium, it remains only to add fresh water. Decor items periodically need to be removed and washed thoroughly. Soda can be used to prevent green fouling, and the decorations are thoroughly cleaned and washed under running water.

Do not feed the fish too abundantly, it is food debris that causes severe pollution of the reservoir. Uneaten food rots and releases substances harmful to fish, causing poisoning and other diseases. Therefore, food is given in small portions. It should be eaten in 4-8 minutes, all that is left must be removed.

It is especially recommended to buy these tests when you first start up your aquarium, or when the fish looks or behaves differently. Many diseases of aquarium pets are caused by banal poisoning and inadequacy of water to the required standards.

It is better to have small fish in a small aquarium. Below is a list of the most unpretentious species that can live in a flock in a small space.

• Guppy - the most common aquarium fish. They are not too picky, they are comfortable even in 5-liter cans. In an aquarium with a volume of 10 liters, you can place 5-7 individuals.
• Neons - bright gregarious look. Up to 5 individuals can be planted in a 10-liter container, and about 10 in a 20-liter container. The larger the flock, the more comfortable neons feel.
• Danio rerio - a beautiful striped fish. The maximum number of individuals for a 10-liter aquarium is 5-6 pieces.
• Speckled catfish - peaceful, good-natured creatures, preferring to live in the lower layer of water. One individual requires from 4 liters of water. It is better to live in a small group - from 3 individuals.
• Cardinal - active, nimble fish. One individual requires from 3 liters of water, but it is better to keep them in a large flock - from 10 pieces. Therefore, they will be comfortable in a 30-liter aquarium.
• Micro-collection - a very small fish, it grows in length no more than 2.5 cm.In an aquarium with a volume of 15 liters, you can populate 5 individuals, in a 30-liter tank you can put a larger flock - about 10 pieces.
• Pecilia, swordtails, mollies Are species related to each other. They are also unpretentious, but they grow a little larger than the above fish, so the minimum volume of the aquarium for keeping them is 20-30 liters.

These include cockerels - fish with gorgeous fins. Males are very pugnacious, so keeping two males in the same tank is not recommended. Some contain one cockerel in a glass or cube. It looks interesting, but the size of the tank must be at least 5 liters.A mirror can be attached to the wall of the aquarium. When the male sees his reflection, he becomes brighter and beautifully spreads his fins.

The following video provides step-by-step instructions for caring for a small aquarium.