Aquarium fish are the most unpretentious pets, they are easy to care for, you just need to change the water in the aquarium every week and feed the fish on time. In addition, an interestingly designed aquarium, in which the landscape design is thought out, is considered one of the most expressive elements of a home interior.
You can look at the aquarium from any angle, each with its own advantages. So, for example, there is no need to remove wool from the rooms; the house is beautiful. But is this really the case?
Types of aquariums for home
According to their purpose, all home aquariums are divided into the following types:
- Environmental . The main purpose of such aquariums is to enjoy the improvement and create the best conditions for the inhabitants of the aquarium.
- Interior . The main task of aquariums is to create an organic composition with the design of the room. Such aquariums also perform other functions. For example, an aquarium can be used as a partition between rooms, complement the main lighting of the room with the twilight of the aquarium, emphasize the original design idea of the room, and so on. As a rule, such aquariums have an unusual shape. They are multifaceted, curved, and may also have unusual surface angles. Most often, the inhabitants of such an aquarium do not live very comfortably.
Perfect
The best luxury aquariums (from 30,000 rubles)
Premium class models are entire aquarium complexes made from modern technological materials and equipped with the highest quality and reliable equipment. Most products are developed by designers taking into account the wishes of clients. Maintenance of exotic aquariums is sometimes beyond the capabilities of even experienced aquarists, so after purchase you will have to spend money on the services of professionals.
Aquatable 130 from Aquatlantis – a functional aquarium table
4.9
★★★★★
editorial assessment
92%
buyers recommend this product
The innovative Aquatable series from the Portuguese manufacturer Aquatlantis combines the advantages of a large floor-standing aquarium with a capacity of 300 liters and an elegant table for the home, office or living room. The impressive dimensions of the box (130x75x57 cm) make it not just a highlight of the interior, but also a completely functional piece of furniture.
The model is equipped with all the necessary equipment to create an ideal habitat for aquatic organisms: a biofilter, a powerful water heater and a lighting system of two LED lamps of 39 W each. Backlight parameters can be controlled through a special program on your smartphone.
Pros:
- An elegant combination of combined wood and glass;
- The lid with the feeding door can be moved apart or removed completely;
- You can set the sunrise and sunset mode;
- Reliable and high-quality technical equipment;
- Possibility to order the color of accessories to your taste.
Minuses:
- High price.
Aquatable has certificates of compliance with all international standards of environmental friendliness and reliability. The finished product is necessarily tested with a tenfold load, which helps prevent leaks and guarantees long-term operation of the aquarium.
Cylindrical tower aquarium Marvelous-aqva - the most unusual model
4.8
★★★★★
editorial assessment
89%
buyers recommend this product
The original cylindrical aquarium complex with a volume of 282 liters will be an excellent decoration for any room. The product, 1 m 85 cm high and 60 cm in diameter, can be installed either near the wall or in the center of the room. The model is an acrylic flask mounted on a moisture-resistant cabinet with a reinforcing internal frame. An external filter and compressor are also hidden here.
A professional LED system and a fan are built into the top cover. The aquarium comes with a heater, soil, water preparation and decorative coral.
Pros:
- Control panel for selecting one of 12 lighting programs;
- Translucent (97%) and impact-resistant acrylic glass;
- Reliable cabinet made of reinforced plastic;
- The door is locked;
- Possibility to choose one of 10 colors.
Minuses:
- Difficult to clean - this work will have to be entrusted to specialists.
Due to insufficient lighting of the water column, plants do not grow in tower aquariums - you will have to be content with artificial ones. It is advisable to select fish that are tall, bright and active - for example, an angelfish or a school of golden ones.
Aquarium in the interior of the house: what shape to choose?
There are 4 main categories of aquariums for home:
- Rectangular.
- Angular.
- Panoramic.
- Wall-mounted.
Sides
Rectangular
- This aquarium option is suitable for any fish. In such a “house” the width is almost identical to the height . If these proportions are met, oxygen is ideally distributed throughout the water, and the fish can move freely inside.
- A rectangular aquarium for the home is also comfortable in the sense that you can create absolutely any type of landscape in it - fantasy or natural. But a rectangular aquarium has some disadvantages, for example, it is large in size. Therefore, you will find it difficult to fit the aquarium into the room.
Traditional
Corner
- This type of aquarium is chosen by people to effectively decorate the space in the corner of the room . The large dimensions of the aquarium give every designer the opportunity to come up with a large number of unusual ideas.
- Often such an aquarium becomes a piece of lighting or an element of a bar. The design features make it possible to create a variety of landscape ideas inside the aquarium.
In the corner
Panoramic
- This aquarium comes in several types: corner, rectangular, round. The main part of the glass element - the aquarium is equipped with a curved viewing glass. Thanks to it, the internal space of the tank is significantly increased.
- Thanks to a panoramic aquarium, the owner receives an incredible experience, because the interior of the tank can be viewed from any side.
Panoramic
Wall
- This aquarium is never wide. This significantly reduces the circle of its inhabitants and design ideas. However, the use of new technologies makes it possible for designers to create an almost universal type of aquarium. It can be an excellent combination of aesthetics and functionality.
- The main feature of such a tank is that it can harmoniously fit into any interior of the room. You can choose a frame that will match the design of your house or apartment.
- A wall-mounted aquarium can be placed between rooms. This will make it possible to monitor the inhabitants of the reservoir from two rooms simultaneously. A wall aquarium can be built-in or suspended.
Separates rooms
In the bedroom
Stylish
Beautiful
Correct lighting
At the moment, technological progress has reached such a level that the body of tall aquariums is made of acrylic in the shape of cylinders. The top is coated with a matte gloss. With the right lighting, the observer's attention is focused on the center of the aquarium, and he does not try to see what is happening in the upper part.
A photo of a tall aquarium in the interior can be seen below.
Large aquariums for home: advantages, reviews
If you decide to buy an aquarium for your home , we recommend that you first decide what size it will be. Here, try to realistically assess your own capabilities. Large aquariums have both disadvantages and advantages.
As reviews from many owners of large aquariums show, they have the following advantages:
- The interior of the room with an aquarium, which occupies part of the room, looks simply gorgeous. A transparent wall that separates 2 rooms looks very effective.
- Illumination of a water tank can become an original lamp. The aquarium will create an interesting atmosphere due to water reflections and shadows of water inhabitants.
- In a large aquarium there are more opportunities to create an integral natural complex , where you can place plants, stones, and even exotic fish. You can install various technical devices for fish, and these devices will not be so noticeable.
- A wall that will be decorated with a large aquarium does not need additional decoration. And, if you place the tank in the wall, you can significantly save the total space of the room.
Big
Has a number of advantages Stylish
Correct launch
Brief instructions for starting an aquarium are as follows:
- We choose a place protected from direct sunlight to avoid a possible algae outbreak.
- We place the tank in close proximity to a nearby power line (to turn on the equipment, you will need sockets).
- Check the functionality of the lamps.
- In case of a crooked floor, we level the cabinet, checking the slope with a level.
- We rinse the soda reservoir. The use of household chemicals is prohibited.
- We install the equipment and check its serviceability.
- We install the tank and fill it with soil.
- If you are using a thermal cable or a substrate made of natural soil, lay them first.
- We install stones, driftwood and other decorations, using them to hide the air compressor tubes.
- We install a thermometer.
- Fill the tank with cold water to avoid soil erosion, pour the water into a plate installed at the bottom.
- We turn on the equipment and set the desired temperature.
- After 4–7 days, you can plant simple plants and start turning on the lights for 3–5 hours.
- If the water becomes cloudy, do not panic - a nitrogen cycle is established in the tank.
- On days 7–10, you can plant a few fish. Start with unpretentious species.
- For 15 days we plant all the other inhabitants of the aquatic world and the remaining plants.
Important! The soil and all decorative elements must be thoroughly washed with boiled water before going into the aquarium. This will protect the fish from possible infections. - We feed the fish and take care of the pond as usual.
Video: how to start an aquarium
Disadvantages of a large aquarium: user reviews
A large home aquarium also has its own disadvantages. Let's highlight the most important ones:
- A large aquarium has large dimensions. Placing such an artificial reservoir indoors places special demands on the strength of the surface and its horizontal position. If you deviate from the horizontal, you will disrupt the uniform distribution of water pressure on the glass. As a result, the risk of an accident will increase, and the inhabitants and neighbors living below you will suffer.
- An aquarium that is placed inside a wall cannot be cleaned . Therefore, in order to clean the water regularly, you will need to use special devices.
- The cost of a large aquarium is very high. In addition, you should take into account that you will have to use the help of specialists to install the tank. And their services are also sometimes expensive.
Has some disadvantages
Round aquarium for home: advantages
- A round aquarium for home is especially popular among people . People began to install it since the 50s of the last century. The aquarium was chosen because it had an unusual shape and relatively low cost. However, people did not have much choice, but a round aquarium could be seen on the shelves of any zoological store.
- Back in the mid-9th century, many people believed that a round aquarium was a glass ball in which goldfish should swim. This was confirmed by the paintings of some artists of those times. In their paintings they depicted aquariums that had a rounded shape.
Goldfish
- A tank of this type was brought to European countries from China. In that country, since ancient times, people kept fish in round vases. Initially, the dishes were opaque porcelain, but over time they began to make glass aquariums.
- Rectangular aquariums appeared a little later, around the end of the 9th century. Thanks to their own advantages, they have become classics. But people still believe that fish should live in a round aquarium.
A glass tank with water, fish and various plants goes well with any home interior. It is especially often installed in a children's room, where a round aquarium can replace a night lamp or interior decoration.
- Thanks to its rounded shape, the aquarium has no seams or frame. The tank produces a feeling of weightlessness.
- It’s a shame, but that’s where the positive aspects of the round aquarium end.
Round aquarium for home: disadvantages
- Small volume. The largest volume of such an aquarium for home is 50 liters. If it is larger, it will become fragile. As a rule, round aquariums with a minimum volume of 5 liters and a maximum of 20 liters are found on sale. You probably understand that you cannot put many fish in such an aquarium.
- Bulge . Not every person likes it when aquarium glass distorts. If you look into this tank for a long time, your eyes will get tired. In addition, not every fish can exist calmly in such conditions.
- Small bottom. Fish that live at the bottom of a round aquarium have little space for a normal existence. Therefore, you must select plants and decorative elements correctly.
Has some disadvantages
- Decor. There is little space in a round aquarium, the tank has a view from any side, so you cannot glue some kind of background inside. You can install any large element in the central part of the aquarium.
- Equipment. It is impossible to attach any device to the rounded walls. Therefore, you need to attach it to a snag or purchase the equipment that is built into the tank lid. In addition, it will be quite difficult for you to find a filter or a small aerator.
- Service. You will not be able to clean rounded walls with an ordinary scraper. To do this, you will have to use a sponge or a special brush. You will also have to change the water much more often, but this drawback is not considered so significant.
The best aquariums in the mid-price category up to 30,000 rubles
Mid-budget models already come with a full set of life support for underwater inhabitants: filter, pump, heater, lighting - and are sold together with a special stand. The tank volume is usually 100-200 liters, which allows experienced aquarists to contain different phenotypes of underwater inhabitants.
Dubai Corner 90 from Ferplast – stylish and practical corner aquarium
5
★★★★★
editorial assessment
95%
buyers recommend this product
The Italian company Ferplast offers a special corner model Dubai Corner 90 with panoramic convex glass and a full set of life support systems. The useful capacity of the tank, the walls of which are made of 8 mm triplex, is 180 liters with dimensions of 66x93x57 cm and a height from the floor of 130 cm (including the cabinet).
The aquarium comes with high-quality and durable accessories: Bluwave internal filter, Blupower pump and Bluclima heater. The lighting consists of two T5 fluorescent lamps with a power of 24 W. A solid cabinet made of water-resistant material will be a stylish addition to the aquarium.
Pros:
- Economical energy consumption;
- Convenient sliding hatches on the lid;
- Lighting is controlled by an electronic timer;
- All-metal frame, increasing structural strength;
- Child protection of the lid;
- Various color options.
Minuses:
- Insufficient brightness of lamps for some species of fish and plants.
The manufacturer's two-year warranty applies to the aquarium only if it is purchased complete with a stand.
Vision 180 LED from Juwel – thought out to the smallest detail
4.9
★★★★★
editorial assessment
92%
buyers recommend this product
See review▶
An incredibly high-quality and elegant 180-liter Vision LED model from a German company is the most compact in its range. The aquarium has a curved front glass, visually increasing the depth of the underwater world. The bottom of the tank is reinforced with a lower frame, which eliminates the need for special pads.
The tank is equipped with all the necessary equipment: an internal Bioflow M filter system, to which an AquaHeat 200 W heater-thermostat is connected, and MultiLux LED lighting (2 lamps of 19 W each for daylight and natural light). The product can be purchased together with a color-matching cabinet.
Pros:
- High quality of seam gluing and strength of materials;
- Good lighting of the aquarium even with the lid open;
- Silent operation of the filter and pump;
- Spacious double-leaf cabinet;
- 4 colors to choose from.
Minuses:
- The cost is 2 times higher than domestic analogues.
Many owners warn of a drop-sized silicone build-up on the seam between the back wall and the bottom. This is not a manufacturing defect, but a technological feature of the seam loop.
R790 from Jebo - the original hemispherical aquarium
4.7
★★★★★
editorial assessment
72%
buyers recommend this product
An unusual and very beautiful aquarium in the shape of a hemisphere, despite its large capacity (169 liters) and serious dimensions, it does not seem bulky. The model is made of silicate glass 8 mm thick and, for greater strength, is tied at the top and bottom with a strong frame. The bottom is additionally reinforced with rigid ribs, and the tank itself stands on a shock-absorbing substrate.
The tank comes with a built-in bio-filter, a water pump and 3 lamps (two 15 W and one 20 W). The aquarium can be purchased together with a stand in the corresponding color.
Pros:
- Complete with all necessary equipment;
- Convenient opening lid with light switches;
- Durable stand, matching color and shape;
- 5 stylish colors.
Minuses:
- Inconvenient placement of lamps, due to which the aquarium is not sufficiently illuminated.
R790 is suitable for populating various phenotypes of fish, shellfish, shade-loving vegetation and algae. And for better lighting, experienced aquarists advise not to cover the lamps with special protective covers.
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Aquarium for home: where to start?
Do you want to have fish at home? Then you will have to read reviews from other users. They advise purchasing a variety of accessories for the aquarium.
For home
- Buy a bigger aquarium. The fish will feel free in it. Clean the tank at least once every 7 days.
- Purchase a filter , as well as an air supply device. Thanks to the filter, the water will be purified, but it must be washed once every 7 days. Air is also important for fish, just like water.
- Heater . Depending on the type of inhabitants of the home aquarium, you can set the desired temperature. Many fish like warm water, and some are considered cold-blooded. The average temperature for all fish is +25°C.
- Lighting . The lamp will not only illuminate the aquarium, but also decorate the tank and give it a fabulous look.
- Decorative elements, soil. Here you can develop your own imagination. Come up with an unusual town for your fish, a whole “fairy tale country”.
- Feed _ Choose it based on the type of fish. Feed them 2 times - morning and evening.
- The next most important element of any aquarium is water . You can pour purified, filtered, settled water into the tank. Flow-through is also suitable. But for this you will have to buy vitamins, thanks to which all harmful microbes and bacteria will die in the water. Do not change the water often; it is enough to change a third of all the water in the aquarium once a week.
Advantages of an aquarium for the home
Fish in an aquarium, like pets, are an excellent option. A home water tank with fish has its own positive aspects:
- Fish are considered unpretentious pets. True, this does not apply to all types of fish. Therefore, if you are getting aquatic creatures for the first time, choose unpretentious species. You only have to clean the aquarium on time and feed the pets. A filter will purify the water, and special equipment will handle the rest.
- If you have children, you can teach them to take care of pets and responsibility.
- Fish are great for calming the nervous system. Scientists have been able to prove that aquarium fish relieve stress and calm you down. Water inhabitants will help active children. Place your child in front of the aquarium - he will rest, calm down, and tune in to positive emotions.
- If you don’t want to have fish because you often go on business trips, don’t worry. Without food, fish can survive for one month. Just buy more plants and go on your trip.
- A home aquarium is a beautiful decoration for any home. It can also become a wonderful highlight of the interior. The most important thing is to place the aquarium correctly and select the right accessories.
Add-ons and accessories
A vertical aquarium, like any indoor indoor pond, has many hidden elements, such as a bottom filter or a compressor. Also included with a tall aquarium should be lighting elements, decorative decorations, and artificial algae that stretch upward. Moreover, every buyer has the right to free rigging, installation and autostart.
When purchasing a tall aquarium, you can choose the finishing material. There is quite a lot of choice here. It can be inexpensive black acrylic, artificial stone, veneer, or natural tropical wood. By the way, teak, wenge or rosewood are most often used for such finishing.
Disadvantages of an aquarium for home
- Financial question. If you want to have aquarium fish, you will have to spend a large sum on the purchase of various devices, small additional elements, the inhabitants themselves and an aquarium.
- Boring pets. You can't play with the fish, you can't pet them. They won't play ball with you, won't go for a walk with you, and so on.
- If you have a small child, he can throw something into the aquarium and rinse his hands in the water. In addition, a child may accidentally break the water tank.
- Constant reproduction . Some types of fish often give birth. This is especially true for viviparous individuals, for example, guppies.
- Some subtleties. There are certain points in keeping fish that must be taken into account. For example, there are fish that will not live in cool water. There are peace-loving individuals, and there are also aggressive ones. Take this into account when buying an aquarium.
There are also disadvantages.
Professionals are familiar with all the intricacies of fish breeding, with the pros and cons. You will also study them carefully if you are specifically determined to install an aquarium for your home and breed various fish and other aquatic inhabitants in it.