Aquarium fish. How to create an original aquarium design? What does an aquarium look like?

We offer readers of our resource a visual and colorful list of aquarium fish with descriptions and photos of fish of each individual species. Our beginner section contains the most popular fish that are especially popular with aquarists.

On the left you can see a photo of each individual fish, to which a small description applies, located to the right of the picture. All fish are divided into subsections to make it easier for you to navigate and identify a particular species or family.

Photo Somikov and Vyunov

There are probably catfish in every aquarium, regardless of the general species composition. Look at the aquarium fish below - a photo with the names of catfish will help you decide on your future deep inhabitant of the aquarium.

All catfish have a different size, so it is very important to study their possible adult size before choosing.

Ancistrus

A rather small fish that can live in aquariums from 30 liters. The classic color is brown. Often these small catfish are confused with larger brothers - pterygoplichts. In general, a very hardworking fish and it is good to clean growths.

Ancistrus yellow

This ancistrus is also called golden. By the way, a very good color for maintaining an aquarium according to Feng Shui, since the aquarium should simply have a gold-colored fish according to this ideology. Can grow to the same size as brown antsiks.

Pterygoplicht

It is also called chain catfish. Pterygoplichts can grow up to 50 centimeters in home aquariums, making them one of the most showy fish. They lead a bottom lifestyle, if they do not have enough space, they begin to actively drive other inhabitants.

Tatsia

The most popular is the stellar version. It grows to a small size - 10-12 centimeters, is mainly nocturnal, sleeps during the day. A very interesting and beautiful catfish, but the fact that it is active only at night does not allow them to fully admire.

crossocheilus

Crossocheilus come in many varieties, but in general they are all very similar. These fish have a suction cup, which can clean not only growths on glass, but also flip flops on leaves. Hardworking fish, can grow up to 15 centimeters.

Redtail catfish

One of the largest aquarium fish, they grow without stopping, and eat everything that fits into their mouths. These catfish are very beautiful, but because of their appetite and predatory inclinations, they do not get along well with smaller fish. A striking feature can be seen in the photo - a red tail fin.

corridor

Very cute and nimble catfish corridor. We would compare them to Pomeranians in the dog world. Bottom small fish, which does not require special conditions, eats what it can find at the bottom. As a rule, they are 2-10 centimeters long. If you don’t know who to plant in the aquarium, buy a corridor.

Botsia clown

This type of bots is the most popular among aquarists. Most likely due to the fact that the clowns look very impressive, as can be seen in the photo. The peculiarity of the fish is the spikes that are under the eyes. These spines can be extended when the fish is in danger. They can live up to 20 years.

Botsia modesta

Another fish from the loach family. The peculiarity of the color of such battles is blue or blue, and bright fins. The color of the fish can change depending on the mood. In an aquarium, these fish can grow to a size of 15 centimeters.

Botsiya marble

It is in this marble coloring that the fish is most similar to the corridor catfish. Like other bats, marbles are active only at night, when they come out in search of food, and during the day they are likely to be not very visible to their owners.

Synodontis eupterus

In general, these catfish are quite peaceful inhabitants of the aquarium. These fish are schooling, and this should be borne in mind. A feature of this species is a dark color, and a large dorsal fin. Such a fish in an aquarium will most likely grow up to 12-13 centimeters.

Synodontis petricola

Unlike eupterus, it has a light color with dark spots, due to which it can look even more impressive. The fish has a clear propensity for a nocturnal lifestyle, so it may not appear very often during the day. The optimal volume for it will be from 60 liters.

synodontis changeling

There are some types of Synodontis called shifters because of the characteristic feature of swimming upside down. These catfish also require an aquarium of medium volume or more - from 60 liters. By all behavioral features, the catfish changeling is similar to its fellow synodontis.

Pangasius (shark catfish)

This catfish is also called shark because of its characteristic appearance - in the photo of a catfish it is clearly visible (dorsal fin, body shape, etc.). Catfish can grow to gigantic sizes, so even a 200-liter aquarium will be small for it. The optimal volume is from 500 liters.

Carp

Carps in the aquarium are the most popular, primarily because of their unpretentiousness. We invite you to familiarize yourself with photos and descriptions of fish from this family.

cherry barb

Cherry barbs have a characteristic color with their name - a light cherry-colored body, with a horizontal black stripe characteristic of barbs. This fish is small (up to 2-3 cm), and can easily live in aquariums from 15-20 liters. Males are brighter and redder than females.

Sumatran barb

Perhaps one of the most spectacular types of barbs - for this it is considered one of the most popular of its kind. It is necessary to keep them in a flock, which makes the fish even more spectacular. The size in the aquarium is up to 4-5 centimeters.

torpedo barb

One of the largest barbs is the torpedo-shaped barb. They can grow up to 50-60 centimeters, depending on the volume, and they need it from 200 liters. The fish are beautiful, but, like many cyprinids, they are very fond of eating plants. It is better to keep them in a small flock of 3-5 individuals.

scarlet barb

In shape, the scarlet barb resembles the Sumatran. The fish has silvery scales, and in the middle of the body there is a bright red stripe for the entire length. This fish is unpretentious, like all barbs, and will live peacefully with guppies, neons and other medium-sized barbs.

fire barbs

A feature of fire barbs is a bright golden body color, and a black back. These fish can be called golden, which again is not bad in Feng Shui :). This fish is active, will constantly move, as a result of which, it will become an adornment of any small aquarium.

Shark barbus (bala)

Shark bala or barb is a fish that was so named as a result of its resemblance to sharks (this can be seen from the photo of the aquarium fish next to the description). These fish are large, can grow up to 30-40 centimeters, so it is better to keep them together with other large barbs in a volume of 150 liters or more.

mossy barb

It is also called the green barb because of its characteristic scale color. The fish is small, but at the same time spectacular and unusual. Also, it is rarely found in aquarium stores.

Microassembly galaxy

Very bright, and therefore a very popular fish with aquarists. This fish is a flock, and due to the bright iridescent coloring, the flock can be very spectacular. Grows to just a few centimeters, gets along well with neon, guppies, etc.

Leopard zebrafish

In our opinion, the fish is very similar to a miniature rainbow trout - it was because of the coloring that the zebrafish was called that. The fish are not large, up to 3-4 centimeters, very nimble, constantly in motion.

Danio pink

The pink color really suits these fish, and they look very impressive, especially if they live in a flock of more than 10 individuals. An oblong fish.

Danio rerio

A small fish up to 5 centimeters long. It is not difficult to recognize it due to its color - a black body with longitudinal white stripes. Like all danios, a nimble fish that never sits still.

Goldfish and others

Golden

Classic goldfish belong to the genus crucians. They come in a variety of colors and grow to different sizes depending on the volume of the aquarium. The classic color is red-gold. A very ancient breed of fish, for which it needs exceptional respect.

golden veiltail

Veiltails are a separate type of gold. The photo shows how the veil-shaped caudal fin develops. When choosing such fish for keeping, be sure to choose the right neighbors, as other fish can bite the golden tail.

Koi

A fairly large breed of fish, which is why they like to be kept in ponds. In the photo you see a characteristic color for them - white with bright spots of different colors. The fish are not whimsical, but the volume of the aquarium is the only and important parameter for them.

Telescope

Telescopes come in gold and black. In size, as a rule, they are not very large, up to 10-12 cm, so they can live in aquariums from 60 liters. The fish is spectacular and unusual, suitable for those who love everything original.

Oranda fish - little red riding hood

To some, this fish seems extremely charming, but someone may, on the contrary, consider it defective. And all because of the specific cap on top of the head - this is a small growth, and not necessarily red. One thing is for sure, that the fish is unusual, but you yourself know the taste and color.

viviparous tooth carp

swordsmen

These are medium-sized fish, which got their name because of the specific tail. There are black, orange, and also combined colors. Swordtails are viviparous, so at home you can achieve the appearance of offspring.

Guppy

Probably everyone has heard about such fish as guppies. Small (up to 3 cm), easy to maintain and not whimsical - for this they are loved. At the same time, they can be very spectacular, males have veil-shaped multi-colored tails. Offspring will be brought even more likely than mescheki.

Mollies black

There are black, orange, yellow, and mestizos. In shape, they are a cross between guppies and swordtails. The fish is larger than the relatives described above, so it requires aquariums from 40 liters.

Velifera mollies

A fairly large subspecies of mollies - can grow up to 15-16 centimeters. Based on this, correctly select the volume of your aquarium, as it must be at least 50 liters.

Pecilia

Pecilia are the personification of a whole genus - Pecilia. They can come in a variety of colors, from bright orange to variegated with black patches. Fish can grow up to 5-6 centimeters.

labyrinth

grumbling gourami

This is one of the most common types of gourami. A very beautiful fish that has a bright pearl, or green-bluish color. In aquariums grow up to 5 centimeters.

marble gourami

The name gourami speaks for itself - the color of the fish is marble, white and blue. Fish can readily breed in an aquarium, while the male will build a nest of foam, where the offspring will be raised.

pearl gourami

A very popular fish among aquarists. As you can see in the photo, gourami is characterized by two long mustaches on the stomach, as well as a black stripe along the body. It is a classic representative of labyrinth fish.

Lyalius

Looking at the photo, I just want to call her a fat gourami :). In fact, the fish is very cute and beautiful. The color can be either silver-blue or red-crimson. Lyalius are shy, so we do not recommend disturbing them once again.

macropod

An equal fish that does not like encroachment on its territory. Although beautiful, it requires proper treatment. It is better not to plant them with their own kind, there are enough females and males of this species in the aquarium, they can get along with neons, guppies and other not large species.

Petushki

The so-called fighting fish. Males can be extremely aggressive towards other males and sometimes towards females if they don't have enough space. Cockerels can be kept even in the smallest aquariums, as they are not sensitive to volume.

Characin

blue neon

A classic representative of neon. It has a red-blue color. These are one of the most spectacular fish, as they flicker in the light, from which they got their name. You can keep them in small aquariums from 10 liters. The fish are schooling, so at least it is better to have 4-5 individuals.

red neon

The fish is very similar to the blue neon, but in this case, the red color is predominant in color. The fish must be kept in flocks, and they are more comfortable, and there will be a more colorful performance for you.

black neon

Although the fish is less popular than its counterparts, this does not make it look less impressive. A school of such tiny fish can decorate any aquarium. We recommend keeping them in large herbal aquariums.

Tetra

Tetra fish love when there are a lot of living plants in the aquarium, and, accordingly, oxygen. The body of the fish is slightly flattened, the predominant colors are red, black and silver.

Ternetia

Ternetia is also called black tetra. The classic color is black and silver, with black vertical stripes. The fish is quite popular, so finding it in your city is not difficult.

black pacu

This fish stands out from the rest of the characins in its size - in the aquarium it grows up to 40-50 centimeters. Pacu belongs to the piranha family, so she needs to choose her neighbors very carefully.

Photo and description of Discus

We offer you for review photos and descriptions of discus aquarium fish. Fish are very loved by many aquarists, and many do not recognize anyone else at all. Yes, the fish are very spectacular, which is noticeable in the photo, but their maintenance requires appropriate knowledge, and even some skills.

green discus

Green discus has a characteristic color - green-turquoise hues with black patches. These fish grow up to a diameter of 15 centimeters in an aquarium. They are very sensitive to water and its parameters, so the maintenance of these fish must be approached very seriously.

red discus

The classic color for discus is red. The volume of the aquarium for such fish requires at least 100 liters. In general, as you already understood, this fish is not for beginners.

Discus Haeckel

These fish are distinguished by a turquoise color with black vertical stripes. If you start a flock of such fish in an aquarium of 400-500 liters, then conquer any of your guests with the beauty of the aquarium.

cichlids

Below are collected aquarium fish cichlids with photos and descriptions. Cichlids belong to the perch-like order, they mainly live in South America. These fish can be of various sizes, ranging from 2 centimeters to several tens of centimeters.

Yellow cichlid (hummingbird)

One of the most popular types of cichlids. It has a lemon color with black edging on the fins. The fish get along well with their own kind, but if there are several males, tough battles can occur. Grow up to 6-7 centimeters in aquariums.

cichlid dolphin

The color of this cichlid is blue. A protruding tubercle is noticeable in the upper part of the head, as in the photo. It grows in the aquarium up to 8-10 centimeters. The fish is peaceful, so it is often recommended for keeping.

cichlid red parrot

The name speaks for itself - the fish is bright red, even orange, sometimes yellow. The fish can be large and grow up to 20 centimeters or more, so take care of the volume of your aquarium.

Black-striped cichlid

Not the largest of the cichlids, it grows up to 10 centimeters. The fish, unlike its counterparts, does not have a bright color - its classic color is dark with vertical black stripes.

Astronotus

One of the largest cichlid fish, it can grow up to 30 centimeters. It is black in color with bright orange spots. If properly maintained, they can live for more than 10 years.

scalar

Angelfish come in a variety of colors and shapes, but all of them are united by the shape of the body - like a triangle. An aquarium is recommended with a volume of 60 liters or more, for large individuals - from 100. It is better to keep a small group of angelfish of a similar size in an aquarium.

Akara

A popular pitchfork is turquoise acara. Turquoise fish with bright edging. It grows up to 25 centimeters in captivity, so it is better to keep it with fish of the same size. We recommend an aquarium volume of 100 liters or more.

Apistogramma cockatoo

From the photo you understand why the fish is called that - it seems to be shrouded in protruding feathers from above and below. It grows up to 8 centimeters, and needs an aquarium of medium size from 50 liters.

Rest

Arowana

It should be said right away that the fish is one of the most expensive, and therefore it is considered rare. It can grow up to 50 centimeters or more in an aquarium with a volume of 400-500 liters. This is an oblong silvery fish that stays mainly near the surface of the water.

Macrognathus

Serpentine fish, which constantly stays on the bottom, hides in snags and plants. As a rule, it grows up to 10-15 centimeters. If there are small fish in the aquarium, then it can eat them all, going hunting at night.

Rainbows

The size of the fish is different, but in general they do not grow more than 8-10 centimeters. There are also smaller types. All fish are beautiful, have a silvery color, with different shades. The fish are schooling and live more calmly in a group.

A miniature version of the larger marine counterparts. It grows no more than 2 centimeters long. Unfortunately, the fish does not live very well, if something does not suit her, she is very whimsical to the conditions. If there are small snails in the aquarium, be sure to eat them all.

The first aquarium: which one to choose, where to start, how to continue and what happens, as well as what not to do. Dedicated to beginner aquarists.

Immediately read about what shape and size (volume) an aquarium is better for a beginner to choose >>>

The first aquarium is not easy at all. It usually depends on how his fate develops whether a regiment of aquarists arrives or not. If the fish in it begin to get sick and die, and the water turns green, cloudy, or smells unpleasant, then the neophyte from the aquarium trade will leave this hobby for a long time or forever. Indeed, a hobby should bring joy, and the illness and death of our pets, even if they are just cold-blooded fish, are pretty upsetting.

In this series of articles, we will talk about how to choose and equip an aquarium correctly so that an indoor pond in glass shores becomes a stable, prosperous ecosystem, shining with living energy, and not a prison cell for suicide fish.
PWhy do problems usually arise with the first aquarium? It's not hard to explain at all. And although the text at the beginning of this article may seem too gloomy to some, it immediately points out possible problems, which in most cases become real. The novice aquarist must first of all realize one obvious thing: the water in the aquarium is strictly limited in its volume, and this volume is extremely small compared to the vast majority of natural reservoirs. Accordingly, the most important resources on which the life of an aquarium depends - a miniature, but rather complexly organized and easily vulnerable little world in which fish and other inhabitants are forced to spend their entire lives, are extremely small. This circumstance creates problems that are atypical and unusual for ourselves and our land pets. For example, a canary in a cage has a much more favorable situation than fish in an aquarium. The cage restricts freedom of movement, but air passes freely through the bars. The bird is not at risk of suffocation. But death from suffocation at night, when the owner turned off the compressor or filter to get rid of the noise of gurgling bubbles, is a fairly common thing for aquarium fish. In a limited volume of water, there is very little dissolved oxygen and it must be constantly artificially supplied there, or a strictly limited number of fish should be kept in the aquarium so that they always have enough of what is passively dissolved in water. Usually, novice aquarists overpopulate their aquariums.
But It's not just about oxygen. Beginners do not realize that in an aquarium, fish simply have to live in their waste products dissolved in water. If the concentration of these wastes exceeds reasonable limits, then an unpleasant odor begins to emanate from the water, and this is not at all a rare case. But even if there is no such smell, the fish can still feel very bad, as they often live in a state of chronic poisoning. The fact is that one of the metabolic products of fish, which they excrete in considerable quantities into the water, is . And this is a very strong poison. In natural water bodies (unless wastewater is discharged into them), the concentration of ammonia is never dangerously high and usually tends to zero. It is consumed by aquatic vegetation and oxidized by the many billions of nitrifying bacteria living in bottom sediments.
In an aquarium, nitrifying bacteria cannot be dispensed with either. These bacteria can get into the aquarium along with aquatic plants, but it is better to purchase a special preparation from the pet store. There are many such drugs and they are produced by different manufacturers. Here are the most famous and available in Russia:Tetra SafeStart (Tetra Safe Start),Sera bio nitrivec (Sera bio nitrivec),JBL Denitrol (Denitrol), .
However, the secret of an aquarium's success lies not only in the fact that it is necessary to pour in a suitable bacterial preparation in a timely manner. beneficial bacteriait is necessary to create suitable living conditions and ensure that they multiply sufficiently. For this a quarium must be properly equipped and arranged. Only then will the fish be spared the threat of poisoning. In this regard, we note that the common design stamp, which can often be seen on advertising posters, on the pages of websites on the Internet, on television in programs dedicated to the interiors of apartments, looks rather comical: in a small aquarium without any equipment, or even without soil (for some reason, the aquarium is almost always round) a fish swims a quarter of this aquarium in size. This role is usually taken (a fish that is not adapted to life in small volumes, but rather tenacious: it will not die immediately and will have time to “please” the unlucky owner). And once a well-known trading network in its advertising posters planted in a similar "aquarium" - a fish that is very demanding on the conditions of existence. What can you do? Illiteracy in the aquarium trade is common.
In fact, this stamp - a fish in a small round aquarium - is not so much comical as cruel, because the fish, in fact, ends up in a gas chamber, which will be steadily filled with ammonia day by day. They are doomed to an inevitable and rather painful death. People far from aquaristics do not think about it. However, it is worth considering before buying an aquarium. So, how to choose and equip an aquarium?

		Photo 1. Oh, those aquariums at exhibitions! Before us is one of them. People watch and then copy. But these aquariums are designed only,in order to hold out for three exhibition days. The fish are not fed here, they sit in the water with the addition of water treatment agents that neutralize the toxic effects of ammonia. But as a matter of fact, Here is an example for goldfish. Never repeat this at home! However, if you lay down suitable soil and plant unpretentious plants, then 30 red neon with a few otocinclus catfish would live happily ever after in such an aquarium. By themselves. It all depends on the correct selection of fish. Only those that can tolerate the low oxygen content of the water and have a relatively low metabolic rate will survive here.
		Photo 2. Never give such a gift, and do not buy a goldfish for such an aquarium yourself. To be honest, even in the advertising picture she looks sad. The bottom filter built into this aquarium will not provide the necessary intensity of biofiltration. But small fish in such an aquarium can live, but it will be inconvenient to watch them.
Video 1. This is how the usual first round aquarium looks like for beginner aquarists and goldfish in it. Still want to have this as your first aquarium? And you can learn more about this aquarium and the fate of the fish.

What sizes and proportions are more suitable for the first aquarium?

First you need to purchase the aquarium itself. The aquarium in the house appears in different ways. It can be presented, well, if the gift set does not immediately include fish, whose fate in this case turns out to be predetermined and unenviable, and the aquarium can be bought by the future aquarist himself, either as a result of an impulsive act, or as a planned and carefully considered action. There is a good chance of success only in the latter case.
The first and most common mistake: buying too small an aquarium. This is either the notorious aquarium-ball (often acting as a gift option) with a volume of 5 - 25 liters, or a stamped aquarium of a different shape, but of the same small volume. The smaller the aquarium, the more difficult it is to establish biological water purification processes in it () and the more difficult it is for a beginner to cope with this task. We would not advise experimenting with a volume of less than 30 liters at first. But since such an aquarium ended up in the house, it will be necessary to be very restrained and thoughtful. Several small fish: cardinals, parsing, as well as several shrimp from the genus neocaridins may well live normally in such a container. If a small-sized aquarium was donated to you along with, then attach it to some large aquarium as soon as possible, otherwise the forecast will come true with almost 100% probability that this fish will die within the next one to two months, and most likely much before.

Perhaps the best for a beginner would be an aquarium of medium size, that is, 60-170 liters. In principle, if there is free space in the house and financial resources allow, then you can immediately buy a large aquarium of 250-500 or more liters. The larger the aquarium system, the more stable it works and the less hassle with it. But that's only when everything goes smoothly. Well, if there is a failure and you need to immediately replace 200-300 liters of water in a large aquarium, what should an inexperienced beginner do in this case? But the water also needs to be prepared - as a rule, it cannot be poured directly from the water supply in such quantities. To avoid failures, it is necessary to equip the aquarium with reliable and efficient, and therefore rather expensive equipment (although it cannot guarantee complete well-being, since beginners sometimes make such mistakes that even the most expensive and “smart” equipment cannot correct, and the most efficient water conditioners). In a word, if you are not ready for large financial costs and labor exploits, then a medium-sized aquarium would be the best choice. It is the easiest to maintain. But if you choose between 60 and 170 liters, then the last option is better. Oddly enough, with an almost threefold difference in volume, these aquariums will occupy quite a comparable place in the room. The choice of fish and plants that can be kept in 170 liters and design options is incomparably greater.

Photo 3. One of the "gift" options: a cute mini-aquarium with a miniature lamp. If you put a goldfish in such a container, then only plastic (See photo below). Although ... there are quite a few who want to plant.

Photo 4. Live goldfish cannot live in miniature aquariums, no matter how aesthetically appealing this idea may seem. Its implementation is possible only with the help of a plastic goldfish.

Photo 5. Of the normal live fish in such a container, only (betta splendens) . The photo shows one of the still rare breeding forms: "double tail", or Siamese Fighter Double Tail.

Photo 6.

Photo 7. The volume of these aquariums is about 15 liters. They are equipped not only with a lamp, but also with a mounted external filter of the “Waterfall” type. Despite their toy miniature size, "waterfalls" effectively purify the water and saturate it with oxygen. An aquarium with live plants (photo 6) is quite suitable for the life of a small number of small fish, such as, for example, various varieties, cardinals (photo 7), small species of parsing (photo 8). There is no dispute about tastes ... and, nevertheless, an aquarium with live plants will create incomparably better conditions for fish and, if the aquarist does not overload it with fish, it will be beautiful for a long time. An aquarium with toy houses is an example of short-lived "beauty" and here's why. A holy place, as you know, is never empty. If there are no living higher plants in the aquarium or there are few of them, then they will immediately take their place. Soon they will cover all the scenery with unpleasant shaggy fouling. Therefore, if you, having succumbed to the persuasion of a child, suddenly bought such a “toy”, quickly plant live plants there. And what plants will not create problems for a beginner is described in. But once again, small aquariums are more difficult to manage than medium ones.

Photo 8.

Photo 9.Cardinals (photo 7) and various types of small rasbor (photo 8 - Hengel rasbor) can live quite happily even in very small aquariums, with a capacity of 10-20 liters.

Let's say a few words about the proportions of the aquarium. When choosing an aquarium, the ratio of its sides is very important, and not only from the point of view of its aesthetic perception. It depends on what kind of fish and in what quantity it will be possible to keep in the aquarium. The most fish-intensive is the aquarium, in which the height does not exceed the width, although its name among aquarists is not too poetic - "trough". However, in order to clearly understand what we are talking about, we will first need to agree on terms: what is considered the length, width and height of the aquarium? To do this, consider photo 9.

Photo 10. Currently, the sides of the aquarium are usually listed in the following order: length - l , width - d and height - h . Aquarium publications sometimes use the term "depth" of an aquarium. At the same time, the word "depth" most often means not the height at all, but the width of the aquarium, that is, the depth of the perspective. A narrow aquarium will not allow you to create a composition with a perspective inside, no matter how hard you try, and the picture will always turn out flat. In addition, narrow aquariums cause stress for many fish. In the photo, the aquarium of the PRO Aqua Plus series with length830 mm, 450 mm wide and 560 mm high including light cover. This is a wide aquarium with excellent perspective.
Photo 11. The effect of a wide aquarium in action. Designed by Elena Mazurek. A beginner should not be confused by the word "Pro" in the name of this aquarium. In fact, in an aquarium with such proportions, it is easy to create a biological balance, it is easy to care for it and keep a wide variety of fish in it. Fish feel great in such an aquarium. I recommend watching a living example of this. Click on photo to enlarge.

Do not buy an aquarium that is too narrow (a screen aquarium with a small distance between the front and back walls) - it will be difficult to maintain the oxygen concentration necessary for the fish without special equipment. The aquarium is too high (above 60 cm), even if it is wide enough (it is desirable that the width of the aquarium is at least⅔ from its height) will also create serious problems. They will be due to the fact that through such a thickness of water it will be rather difficult to illuminate the bottom brightly enough. Many aquarium higher plants will not be able to grow under these conditions, and lower algae (in this case -) will quickly cover the entire bottom with nasty brown fouling. In addition, it is not so easy to plant plants in such an aquarium and clean the bottom. The bottom is simply hard to reach by hand. In general, tall aquariums are not for beginners. Another important question that you need to decide for yourself in advance: what type of aquarium to choose, because it can be not only rectangular, but also panoramic, and angular, and even more intricate shape.

When choosing the shape of the aquarium, decide what is more important to you: the appearance of the aquarium or its contents. If the appearance, and the aquarium itself is just part of the interior of the room, and nothing more, then you can consider aquariums of various shapes. But if the contents of the aquarium are more important, and you want to admire the underwater world without interference, then you should stop at the classic rectangular aquarium. You can also choose a panoramic aquarium with a curved front glass (and not very curved at that: see photo 12), but a hexagonal panoramic aquarium should be strongly rejected. This last design narrows the view and makes it difficult to perceive the entire composition created in the aquarium.
The corner aquarium allows you to squeeze it into the corner of the room, and if you can’t find another place, then you can agree with the choice of this form. However, it is quite difficult to decorate a corner aquarium in a beautiful way and organize a space in it that is convenient for the life of fish.

How and where should an aquarium be installed?

Before buying an aquarium, be sure to decide where, and for what exactly You will put it. The simplest thing is to buy an aquarium along with a cabinet. Otherwise, you must carefully consider the preparation of the place where it will be installed. Firstly, the table or bedside table must be strong enough and not deform under the weight of the aquarium. And this weight can be very, very small. A hundred-liter aquarium with soil and equipment can pull 150 kilograms, or even more. Aquarium soil is quite heavy! Secondly, the surface on which you can put the aquarium must be absolutely flat, otherwise the bottom may crack. And yet, it is advisable to first lay on it some kind of elastic material smoothing out local irregularities: a rubber mat or a mat made of synthetic “foam”.

Photo 12. Proper installation of the aquarium. Aquariums can only be installed on a very flat surface, and shock-absorbing material must be laid between the aquarium and the tabletop. Aquariums with a volume of more than 100 liters should be installed on a special aquarium stand.

Photo 13. Panoramic aquarium with pedestal and lid-lamp. Such a purchase (all assembled) will cause the least amount of trouble. The front glass of the aquarium is not curved too much, so the distortion of the picture of the underwater world is negligible. The bottom areas covered with white soil look very impressive, but they will not remain so for long, as they will become overgrown with algae and turn green or brown from this. You can keep the color unchanged only by pouring fresh white primer. If you are ready for the periodic extraction of overgrown soil and replacing it with a new one, then these aquarium design techniques are for you! And it is written about choosing the right aquarium soil. Read, a lot depends on the properties of the soil in the aquarium.

The aquarium should be placed no closer than a few meters from the window. But there can be many exceptions to this rule. It is only important that direct sunlight does not fall into the aquarium for more than three hours a day and when the room is ventilated, the water in the aquarium does not cool down significantly.Residents of the northern regions, placing the aquarium too close to the window, run the risk of facing the intractable problem of water bloom when white nights come, when microscopic green algae rapidly multiplying in the water make the water unpleasantly cloudy and green. These algae like diffused long-term lighting, while higher plants prefer relatively short (8 - 9 hours) daylight hours and bright lighting. If the aquarium is located near the window and the water in it blooms stubbornly, then it is necessary to shield the aquarium from excessive light. However, if there are no other options for placing an aquarium,then you can take a chance and put it at the window, because all problems can be solved. Also, do not place the aquarium in the immediate vicinity of a steam heating battery.

If you are still thinking about which aquarium to choose, then read on our forum: " "

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The shape and types of the aquarium

There are many types of aquariums. First of all, aquariums are divided into decorative and special (auxiliary), depending on what they are intended for. The shape and size of the aquarium vary greatly and depend on the purpose of their use.

Special aquariums are most often rectangular in shape, they are small and low. The water level in them usually does not exceed 30-35 cm. And for fry, and for juveniles, and for a couple of fish, this is quite enough ..

The form of decorative aquariums is more diverse: there are spherical, cylindrical, hexagonal, triangular and traditional rectangular aquariums. There are also wall-mounted aquariums with sloping front glass and triangular side faces, called picture aquariums, as well as panoramic aquariums with curved glass.

Such a variety of forms became possible relatively recently, after the appearance of new materials: plexiglass and acrylic. For a long time, aquariums were framed, that is, they necessarily had a metal frame on which glass surfaces were attached. Therefore, all the edges of the aquarium could only be straight. One of the biggest drawbacks of these heavy and not too beautiful structures was that they only retained their integrity when wet. After draining the water, the putty of the seams quickly dried out, and the aquarium could leak.

Therefore, they were replaced by frameless aquariums, which are now made of plexiglass, acrylic and individual glasses. Plexiglas aquariums come in a variety of shapes, but they are all small in size because Plexiglas does not have the strength of glass and cannot withstand high water pressure. Such aquariums are difficult to break, but easy to scratch. And under the influence of certain substances, organic glass can become cloudy. Acrylic is both durable and flexible at the same time; large aquariums of various shapes are made from it. But the service life of an acrylic aquarium is still less than that of a glass one. Acrylic, like plexiglass, scratches easily.

Frameless glass aquariums can be neither cylindrical nor spherical. The connection of individual glasses to each other implies the presence of corners at the junction. Therefore, the shape options for such aquariums are limited to triangular, rectangular, hexagonal shapes. But their sizes vary from small to very large. For the manufacture of frameless aquariums, polished glass is used, and the joints are filled with special glue, which has exceptional strength. Glued aquariums do not dry out even in a dry state, it is much easier to care for glass than for its substitutes. And besides, it is much more beautiful and much more durable than both plexiglass and acrylic. The transparency of the glass is not difficult to maintain - it is difficult to scratch it, but it can be broken.

Below are the main forms of aquariums with their features, pros and cons.

Standard- It is this type of aquarium that should be advised to a novice amateur. Successful proportions are combined in it with ease of cleaning and other necessary procedures. The width of such a vessel is equal to the height, and the length is twice the width. Of course, these are approximate parameters, which do not have to match up to a centimeter. An aquarium with such proportions is clearly visible, and the fish feel fine in it. It is desirable that the width does not exceed half a meter, otherwise, due to the slightest turbidity or poorly thought out planting, you will not see your pets well. Lighting devices in such aquariums should be located above the coverslip so that splashes do not fall on them. A standard aquarium can be used as a species or decorative aquarium.

panoramic aquarium This is a stylish, modern aquarium. Thanks to the panoramic viewing glass, the viewing angle of the aquarium increases, allowing you to enjoy its underwater world from anywhere in the room, and it also opens up new possibilities for using the aquarium for decorative purposes.

Corner aquariums they look good in interiors of any style and direction and therefore are so popular with designers today. Modern materials and technologies make it possible to manufacture high-quality corner aquariums and various geometries, which allows the aquarium to be placed in the corner of the room in the best possible way. Most often, corner aquariums are trapezoidal and hemispherical in shape. A well-designed corner aquarium creates a visual effect of large volume, extended space, depth, and mystery. Thus, in combination with various design and decoration techniques, having correctly selected aquatic plants, fish, soil, you can very beautifully and in an original way "furnish" the corners of the room, the space of which is most often not occupied. Corner aquariums provide a wonderful opportunity to rationally manage the space and at the same time have a fashionable, useful and original piece of furniture that pleases the eye, giving a lot of positive emotions, harmony, rest, and relaxation.

"Trough"- This is a "flattened" version of the standard aquarium. Its parameters are: the width is half the length, the height is one third of the length. In such vessels, it is easy to achieve the desired conditions of illumination, gas balance. Due to the fact that the water is well saturated with oxygen, the aquarium can be densely populated even with a small volume. This makes it indispensable in small and crowded apartments. In the "trough" aquarium, you can grow juveniles or use it as a specific and decorative one.

"Screen" The width is one third of the length and the height is half the length. The main advantage of such aquariums is that the fish in them will always be in your sight, and this enhances the decorative effect. They are good to keep large and tall plants, fish like angelfish. Water haze does not affect visibility. But such aquariums are poor in oxygen in the lower part, due to the fact that the surface area of ​​the water is relatively small. If you do not apply strong enough aeration, the fish will feel uncomfortable in it.

Round- Once upon a time, aquariums of this form were widespread among amateurs. Now we can say without exaggeration that "". Due to the curvature of the glass, the appearance of the fish and the entire design of the artificial reservoir are distorted. In addition, the dirt is deposited not only on the bottom, but also on the walls of the aquarium.

Cylindrical or polyhedral- despite the decorative effect, the fish and other inhabitants will look unnatural due to the deformed walls. Such aquariums look attractive only if they are placed so that they can be admired from all sides. If you like an aquarium of this shape, think in advance if you can arrange it properly.
What is the best aquarium shape? Preference should still be given to a rectangular aquarium, since it does not distort the picture of the underwater world, as happens in spherical and cylindrical aquariums, where both fish and plants look unnatural.

Aquarium painting- just is an example when the designer had a hand in creating an aquarium. After all, it is difficult to ensure a comfortable existence for the inhabitants of such an aquarium, and caring for it is problematic because of its size, and because of its location, because it hangs on the wall.

Built-in aquariums widely used in both public and private interiors. This very effective design technique can give any room a special chic and originality. Built-in aquariums are best planned for renovations or renovations. What are the options for the location of the built-in aquarium?

1. Built-in aquariums in the form of a screen. Such an aquarium looks very impressive when zoning a room. For example, a screen with a built-in aquarium can separate a recreation area with a group of upholstered furniture. In this case, the screen with an aquarium serves not only as a partition, but also as a "living picture" of the underwater kingdom.

2. Built-in aquariums located in a through wall opening. In this version, the aquarium "works" for two adjacent rooms, which is already good. At the same time, the type of decoration of the aquarium on each side can be different, which allows you to "fit" the aquarium into any style of room interior. For example, on the one hand, the aquarium can be arranged in the form of a baguette frame, and on the other hand, an arc panoramic glass can be made.

3. Built-in aquariums located in a niche. As a rule, in this embodiment, the aquarium is located at the eye level of a seated person. This location is convenient for relaxation, when you can comfortably contemplate the wonderful seascape from a cozy chair or sofa.

4. Built-in aquariums located in the arch. This is a very successful design find in the case when you need to partially isolate part of the room with a screen. Glass "screen" of marine theme will decorate any space.

The most affordable are aquariums, produced in the form of a separate container. But such an aquarium must also be equipped with appropriate equipment: filters, aerator, thermostat and lighting fixtures. Therefore, when purchasing an inexpensive tank aquarium, think about the price of equipment. If you have skillful hands, then, of course, you can make some devices yourself, but in any case, you will need materials, as well as equipment. Such aquariums are usually installed on a separate stand.

There are special stands on which you can place several aquariums at once, one above the other, strictly vertically or in ledges.

Aquariums made in the form of a piece of furniture are much more expensive, but they are often equipped with all the necessary equipment, so the hassle of placing and connecting such an aquarium is less. Some varieties of such aquariums need a special stand that can withstand enormous weight; others are already sold together with the stand and form a single whole with it. If such aquariums are not equipped with equipment, then they have a special compartment where all the necessary devices can not only be easily placed, but also hidden from the eye of the observer, so as not to spoil the overall impression of the aquarium.

Types of aquariums (by habitat)

By habitat, all aquariums can be conditionally divided into several categories: freshwater, marine, brackish.

freshwater aquariums- they contain freshwater fish and plants. Most aquarists prefer this type of aquarium.

marine aquariums designed for keeping marine fish and plants. As a rule, a marine aquarium is large (from 400 liters). This is due to the fact that its inhabitants are usually larger than the inhabitants of freshwater aquariums. When selecting fish for a marine aquarium, it must be taken into account that species that have close sizes, similar in behavior and habitat conditions get along better.

It is preferable to populate the aquarium with species that live at different levels. Settlement of the marine aquarium is made at the rate of 1 cm of fish length per 5-8 liters of water. Compared to others, the marine aquarium is the most labor-intensive to operate, since the maintenance of marine organisms requires the maintenance of conditions, the requirements of which are much higher than those of freshwater aquariums. Increased attention to the state of water is required (density, acidity, water temperature, etc.). It is especially difficult to maintain a reef marine aquarium. These aquariums are the most expensive and difficult to operate. Maintenance of a marine aquarium requires special knowledge, skills and experience.

brackish aquarium. There are some species of animals and plants that live in a special (water salinity does not exceed 1-2%) environment that is not often found in nature. These are species such as topnyak, ciliary cryptocoryne, brackish-marine diatoms. Stingrays, many species of viviparous fish (for example, guppies, some mollies) are found not only in fresh, but also in brackish waters.

Types of aquariums

Decorative aquariums

Decorative ones are designed to solve aesthetic problems, create beauty, comfort, create aesthetic pleasure along with, which includes plants, soil, other animals, etc.

Decorative aquariums include:

Shared Aquarium a novice amateur, where many species of fish of different systematic groups and geographical zones peacefully coexist (rasboras, neons, colises, platies, needles, etc.). Contains many different species of fish, invertebrates and plants. Does not imply the maintenance of living organisms united by any one theme or geographical area;

Collection Aquarium mainly includes certain groups of fish, it is inhabited by the maximum number of representatives of one family (characids, cichlids, pecilids, etc.);

species aquarium- a special case of a collection aquarium, it contains only one species or several closely related species of fish (elassoma, barbs, guppies, iris, etc.);

biotope aquarium- a kind of copy of any part of the natural environment (the coastal zone of the Congo River, the rocky relief of Lake Nyasa, the coral littoral of the Red Sea, etc.);

dutch aquarium- a harmonious combination in one container of various species and varieties of aquatic plants in terms of volume and color (fauna recedes into the background). The main design element of the "Dutch aquarium" are living plants. Most often, individual bushes are collected in dense groups, so that when viewed from above only their tops are visible. Plants are planted in such a way that those located in the foreground do not cover those growing behind. Large bushes of plants such as echinodorus, anubias, some aponogetons or nymphs look good, often having a color different from that of the rest of the plant mass. The selected species should not form floating or emersed leaves. Caring for the "Dutch aquarium" consists in periodic (20-25% per week and a half) water changes, removal of old dead leaves, and the formation of thickets of long-leaved plants. The main thing in is plants, but any small non-herbivorous fish such as neon, parsing, zebrafish, algae-eating catfish, labeo, viviparous, mollies can complete the picture;

Paludarium- a combination of underwater and surface vegetation, a kind of aqua greenhouse. Paludarium is a unique invention of animal lovers. The high humidity in a paludarium is ideal for marsh or tropical plants, and for many aquarium plants. For decoration, you can use snags, preferably those on which there is a growth of moss, and knotted branches of acacia, on which many epiphytes and other plants grow especially well. Such "epiphytic trees" always look very attractive;

Aquaterrarium serves for the simultaneous maintenance and display of the combined aquarium and terrarium inhabitants. For the maintenance of many amphibians and reptiles that lead a semi-aquatic lifestyle, the most suitable aquaterrarium, which is made on the basis of an aquarium that holds water well, the land in which is represented by numerous islands. Soil, lighting and vegetation suitable for the biotope are of great importance for creating comfortable conditions for the inhabitants of the aquaterrarium;
invertebrate aquarium - a vessel where only invertebrates and plants are displayed and kept (aquatic insectarium, marine invertebrates, etc.).

Nano Aquarium- This is a small container, with a volume not exceeding 30-40 liters, and much more often two to three times less.
Interest in nanoaquariums is now spreading more and more.
Fashionable now is a miniature water tank with ornamental plants and fish. With a nano aquarium, you can fulfill the dream of recreating a unique aquarium design seen in a store or somewhere on the Internet, but on a much smaller scale. This type of aquarium has fewer requirements for technical equipment and maintenance, and it also becomes possible to install the aquarium on the desktop at home or in the office.

Special aquariums

By functional purpose, aquariums are divided into decorative and special.
Special aquariums are designed to solve specific problems: incubation of eggs, raising young animals, breeding and treating fish, conducting various experiments and experiments. According to the specifics, they are divided into:

Spawning aquariums needed for breeding fish in captivity. The size of the spawning ground, the substrate, the composition of the water, the illumination and other conditions are selected individually. Maximum sterility must be observed. For convenience, the spawning aquarium should be smaller than the main one. So it will be easier to find swept eggs and remove the dead. Different types of fish require spawning tanks with different proportions.

Incubators- auxiliary containers necessary for the life support of developing eggs and larvae of aquarium inhabitants. Their capacity ranges from 0.5 to 25 liters. The minimum volume is required for spawning toothed carps that lay their eggs in peat; maximum - for incubation of discus eggs left by parents. The main conditions for maintaining an aquarium-incubator: cleanliness, optimal temperature, hydrochemical composition and oxygen regime.

Quarantine treatment aquariums serve for overexposure and adaptation of newly arrived animals, as well as their treatment. The main conditions: space, hygiene, minimum stress, constant monitoring of water quality. All its parameters (proportions, design, etc.) depend primarily on the size of the fish contained in it and the duration of their stay in the quarantine-treatment aquarium. The same can be said about breeding aquariums.

nursery aquariums- trough-shaped vessels designed for the rapid rearing of a large number of fry. Desirable size - 150x45x60 cm. The main conditions for keeping fish: optimal environmental conditions (temperature, hardness, water salinity, etc.), regular water changes and plentiful varied feeding.

Cultivators ensure the mass reproduction of food objects that inhabit the water: ciliates, algae, crustaceans, rotifers, etc. The main conditions for their cultivation: as large an area as possible, careful selection of the environment and nutrition.

Breeding- they contain the fish necessary for selection work.
Naturally, in one aquarium you can achieve various goals, for example, to keep, treat and breed fish at the same time.

Choosing a place, checking and installing an aquarium

Before installation, it is advisable to check the aquarium for "fluidity", because it is much easier to fix the leak before installing and settling the aquarium. It is especially important to check the old, passed to you "inherited" aquariums. To do this, put a vessel filled with water on a newspaper and wait at least a day. If there is a leak, the newspaper will be wet, and the aquarium will have to be repaired before installation.

Once you are sure that your aquarium is safe, rinse it with warm (about 50°C) water. Do not use detergents to wash the aquarium, because they leave behind a harmful residue that can adversely affect fish and plants.

Aquarium disinfection
It is advisable to disinfect, especially if the aquarium has already been in use. A 2% solution of bleach or a 1% solution of copper sulphate will do. After disinfection, the aquarium should be thoroughly rinsed and wiped dry with a clean cloth.

A frameless aquarium is washed with warm water with the addition of salt or a 5% solution of acetic or hydrochloric acid. The frame aquarium is thoroughly washed with water at room temperature with baking soda or laundry soap. If the frame aquarium you bought was made using putty, then first you need to remove its excess from the frame, and then wash it.

It must be remembered that the frame aquarium cannot be left without water for more than 2 days - it can leak. All actions to prepare the aquarium for settlement should be done as quickly as possible.

Aquarium installation
You need a stand on which you will set the aquarium. It should be a level, flat surface that can support the weight of the tank of water. Expensive coasters are made in the form of a cabinet, which has compartments for storing aquarium accessories. A cheaper solution may be a rack: either welded metal, or made from bolted corners, or wooden.

You may already have a suitable surface in your home. If you have not purchased a special cabinet, then you will need a sheet of plywood with sanded edges to fit the bottom of the aquarium and at least 15 mm thick. In addition, a sheet of polystyrene 13 mm thick should be placed under the aquarium, this will help distribute the load and even out surface irregularities between the cabinet and the aquarium. There should also be an electrical outlet nearby to connect the aquarium equipment. The aquarium should not be placed near a window or in a place where direct sunlight is possible. Sunlight leads to unwanted heating of the water and stimulates the growth of algae.

Filling the aquarium with water
The aquarium is first filled to half capacity. And after a day, increase the water level in the aquarium so that 3-5 cm remain to the upper edge. Thus, you achieve a gradual increase in pressure, which will avoid such trouble as broken glass. But this applies more to larger aquariums.

Let your aquarium stand in this way filled with water for a day. During this time, you will find out if it is leaking. Then drain all the water from the aquarium. This is necessary for the final cleaning of the aquarium.

Aqua design in interior design is one of the fashion trends. But ordinary equipment, the traditional selection of fish does not impress anyone. Designers strive to combine the composition of the aquarium with the general style of the room where it is planned to be located, and sometimes, on the contrary, they try to create an emphasis on such a non-standard item.

In design

An aquarium in the interior is not only an element of decor. This is a living decoration that creates a special atmosphere, helps relaxation. The most popular theme for decoration will be sea or river. As a rule, “river” ones are filled with green algae, and “sea” ones are filled with brighter colors, creating the illusion of a seabed with reefs and corals.

The underwater kingdom of a single apartment imitates the urban atmosphere of a modern city or natural mountain landscapes, scenery in the spirit of Japanese minimalism. Under the water there is a whole ancient city with ancient ruins, sculptural groups, sunken ships.

Before purchasing an aquarium, you need to consider its harmonious arrangement in the room, the internal content of the structure. Size, shape, place where it is planned to put it matter. For the choice of fish and floristry, it may be necessary to consult an aquarist, the issue should be studied in depth. Don't skimp on equipment. When choosing the type of aquarium, they are guided by the number, type of inhabitants, and the role of this item in the intended interior.

Corner structures

The aquarium, located in the corner, looks good, is compact, has an excellent view. With the help of a triangular shape, the problem of small space is rationally solved. L-shaped structures are used for zoning, a trapezoidal container in a small room on a nightstand or table will fill the corner. Concave or convex glass will visually make the house with aquatic inhabitants more voluminous. Skillfully selected decorations with a small occupied area will create the illusion of spaciousness.

A small corner aquarium is placed on a table or stand. It is more suitable for medium-sized schooling fish. If the aquarium can hold up to 500 liters, then larger individuals can live there without any problems, it is installed on a powerful base. The cabinet should be integral with the rest of the furniture. 500-700 liter aquariums require a lot of space and must be clearly visible.

Proper decorating techniques, well-chosen fish and plants will make the corner aquarium a decoration of the room.

Embedded structures

One of the fashion trends is built-in aquariums, which used to decorate the spaces of exclusively business centers, restaurants, and offices. Now, with their help, they enliven the space of a living space, give it a unique variety.

One of the main rules is to plan the placement of the tank at the stage of construction or redevelopment. Since the bottom experiences heavy weight loads, the base must be perfectly level. It is also necessary to take into account the material that was used in the construction. If it is a brick, no reinforcement is required, but the drywall construction is equipped with welded steel frames.

There are several installation options, including the integration of the aquarium into the interior wall. With this arrangement, it is visible through and through. Enhanced filtration will be required, ultraviolet sterilization is desirable, tk. the slightest turbidity of the water can neutralize the effect. From this point of view, it is much more profitable to install an aquarium with a closed rear edge. Another design is installed on a pedestal or as a balcony, on a slab protruding from the wall.

It is important to ensure the availability of the aquarium for care, to provide space for the location of communications and equipment. Maintenance will be convenient if the back wall is closed or decorated.

Built-in models attract special attention, carry live energy, and contribute to maximum relaxation of the owners and guests of the house.

Custom Shapes

The category of non-standard includes any containers with individual characteristics for keeping fish and other marine animals. These are aquariums located inside niches or openings, aquariums-pictures or cylinders, high, low, small and giant, round, triangular, multi-section.

The volume of such a product reaches 1000 liters, so they are made from silicate glass, which hides joints and seams, from acrylic glass, which is easy to give any shape when heated. The number, size of stiffeners, ties each time is determined individually. To accurately calculate the required glass thickness, a special calculator is used, the choice is also influenced by the configuration and size of the object.

Aquariums are classified as non-standard:

• with unusual lighting, decorative elements;
• models of unusual shape;
• author's products that can support the life of the inhabitants autonomously.

With all the creativity, such an aquarium must meet the basic requirements: the comfort of living creatures, ease of maintenance.

In room design

Forms and options for the location of aquariums are very diverse. They are placed on stands, built in, hung up, which saves space, creates a unique flavor. They are of irregular shape, there may be several of them, they can be combined, placed in the living room or dining room, bathroom, serve as a partition between two rooms.

Aquarium does not welcome extravagant design solutions that do not contribute to the comfortable life of fish and are burdensome to maintain. Therefore, when choosing an aquarium, the optimal one will be one that combines compliance with a certain set of principles:

• Security requires reliable support.
• Classic rectangular shapes are preferred, do not distort spaces, and large ones are easier to care for than small ones.
• It is important to have lighting and flow, which is provided by special lamps, pumps. Ozonizers, UV emitters, etc. will help create a favorable environment. Water must have temperature, density, salinity, hydrogen and oxygen characteristics that meet the standards.
• To arrange and create a favorable environment for the inhabitants, you will have to think about purchasing live stones, coral sand, shells, and all kinds of artificial decorations.

An aquarium will fit into the housing space if its shape, location, and well-groomed inhabitants meet the requirements.

Living room

In the living room, this object will be the center of everyone's attention. Here it will become an independent element of the interior or serve as a zone separator. This room is ideal for setting up an aquarium, where it will become the dominant detail. You only need to take into account the size of the room.

From the standpoint of Feng Shui, the hall is the most suitable place for an aquarium, here it will attract success and prosperity, especially if it is located on the east or southeast side.

Do not place the object near the window, the sun's rays have a bad effect on the condition of the water and the fish. Undesirable places with drafts, placement of the front side to the window.

The interior of the living room with a wall-mounted or hanging aquarium will be a universal option, especially if the room is not large in size.

Bedroom

In a room that is usually not full of decor, the aquarium will become a bright detail, and during the heating period it will balance the humidity.

From a Feng Shui point of view, an aquarium in the bedroom is unacceptable. brings cooling into the relationship of spouses, and the continuous movement of fish increases nervousness. Excessive employment, untimely cleaning of the tank will affect the freshness of the atmosphere and health.

If the need to admire the aquarium before going to bed does not let go, then there is a reasonable compromise: a dry aquarium. It is filled with shells, starfish, corals. The flickering of fish in this case will no longer bother. Another Japanese trend, wabi-kusa, will give the bedroom an exotic look. The vessel is filled with water not to the brim, the fish do not swim there, and the plants are both under the water and on top.

Children's

How the aquarium will look here depends on the size of the room, in which zone it will stand. A container made of acrylic rather than glass is desirable; this is a safer option, although it requires careful maintenance.

Common models for a nursery are floor-standing, which are placed directly on the floor or on a stand, at a height corresponding to eye level, or desktop, mini-sized. Such a gift with a single living inhabitant will enliven the interior, give it a twist. It will be interesting for the child to observe living creatures at close range, feed fish, and take care of turtles with their own hands.

The hanging version looks original. It will not clutter up a small room. The model should not be very wide, not heavy.

Aquariums built into a niche or located in a wall look good, with a themed decorative background created in the background.

If the room is spacious and requires zoning, an aquarium partition will do, which will separate the bed from the work and play area.

Before installing the original interior solution, you need to make sure that the child is not allergic to fish food, that the container in which they will live is safe. When planning the arrangement of the room, you can arrange a family council, where the child will also take part. For clarity, the planned interior changes can be presented to him in the photo.

Kitchen

Modern kitchens, equipped with technologies and functions, often become a room where households spend a lot of time. Aquariums also become part of the interior of this room, to which they add mobility and light. Therefore, there are furniture brands whose catalogs represent built-in aquariums.

Feng Shui has its own point of view and insists that the elements of water and the element of fire (to which the kitchen belongs) are incompatible. But if you really want...

Placing an aquarium in the kitchen is convenient, because. it is easy to organize a water supply and outflow system here, there will be much less problems with cleaning the tank. One has only to think in advance of the communications system, the safety of the current supply, and furniture ventilation. For water entering the tank, it is better to install multi-level purification, because. the air in the kitchen becomes more polluted.

The type of aquarium depends on the size of the kitchen. A large room will contain a reservoir, which will not be part of the space, but the space itself. With it, you can separate the functional and dining areas. If it is placed inside the facades of furniture or walls, then the dimensions should be more modest.

Effectively beat the location of light sources that will be controlled by a timer or remotely. With their help, it will be possible to create an original atmosphere of the kitchen space.

Aquarium partition

To seamlessly integrate the aquarium into the interior, it is better not to use ready-made forms, but to make the desired model to order.

An aquarium partition in the design of a home or office is just perfect. It creates the illusion of privacy, at the same time expands the space, makes it bright, light freely penetrates to any corner of the room.

Thanks to the transparent partition, the opposite part of the room will be visible. A piece of real nature is brought into the interior where such an aquarium stands. With it, separate the kitchen from the hallway or living room, enliven the faded colors, even replace them with a work of art.

Aquariums built into the wall

This type of aquarium is the most popular, organic for any room, not excluding the dining room and kitchen.

If the tank is equipped with a backlight, then the glow will be a nice addition, and will also play the role of a night light. A large aquarium resembling a TV screen will make the interior more alive.

A built-in aquarium requires planning at the stage of creating a design project in order to determine in advance from which side the service will be carried out, which inhabitants will populate it. If the tank is located between rooms where transparency is not required, it is populated with dense algae.

If the glass is damaged, it will be more difficult to replace it than in a free-standing design.

unusual aquariums

Since aquariums are popular interior items, they help the owners to show originality, to stand out. And although outwardly unusual vessels are not always useful for fish, designers and decorators create unhackneyed creative forms.

A glass table with an aquarium as its base. It can be rectangular or hemispherical. It will make a dinner party or dinner party exclusive, inspire to communicate on an interesting topic.

An aquarium in the form of a wall will separate the working area of ​​the kitchen from the dining room, the corridor with the front door from the open space of the studio apartment.

The sink may not be ceramic, but made of durable glass. Real algae and fish will live in a vessel under a thick top lid.

A single system is represented by several separate containers connected by a kind of "transitions" at different levels. Fish travel, people contemplate, relax, think about the eternal.

Around the perimeter of the bathroom is a wall in the form of an aquarium. The walls of the room with aquatic greenery and inhabitants will create the illusion of immersion.

To combine two arguing dominants around the fireplace is not an easy task. Not every designer will support such an idea, but there is a demand for it. Especially for those who, due to the lack of square meters, seek to use the space to the maximum, fit two dreams into the interior at once.

It is clear that the aquarium will be rather big. The project must take into account its mass, provide for the nuances of electrical wiring, and isolate the two environments as much as possible.

With a large volume of the aquarium, the water will not warm up from the short operation of the fireplace, the living creatures will stay in the comfort zone. For absolute safety, it is advisable to install not wood-burning fireplaces, but those powered by the mains. Imitation of a flame will create the effect of highlighting the aquarium.

The electric hearth makes it possible to regulate or completely turn off the heating with a visual effect of burning. Near such a "relaxation complex" it will be comfortable to relax at any time of the year and watch the scurrying guppies, cichlids, shrimps.

Inside furniture or interior items

The desire to fill the home with exotic leads to unexpected solutions. You can buy a special cabinet to accommodate a large aquarium, but it looks cumbersome and requires scarce space. An excellent option would be aquariums built into walls and furniture.

An island table in the kitchen, which is also an aquarium, is unlikely to require additional decoration. An apron in the kitchen becomes an aquarium. From there, the fish will watch the manipulations of the hostess on the desktop.

A coffee table-aquarium in the living room will not take up much space, it will help you relax after a hard day. Equally original will be the armrests of the sofa, where tanks with algae and scurrying fish are built.

Aquarium arches look beautiful, which are located not only on the border of two rooms, but also at the head of the bed.

In the living room, aquariums are mounted in the wall, on both sides of the TV. From time to time, distracted from the dynamic action on the screen, you can relax looking at the underwater world. They arrange an aquarium from the TV itself, removing the filling from the old box and inserting a flask with marine life that is appropriate in size instead. A kind of "video" for the rest of home and guests.

For lovers of wildlife and minimalist forms, we can offer to combine an aquarium with a flower pot. An indoor flower and a fish will live in such a house. The base of a table lamp, even the toilet bowl, easily turns into an aquarium.

Any of the options will create an atmosphere of peace, help restore the nervous system.