Mini-aquarium: description, advantages and disadvantages

Pet stores offer a large selection of "houses" for small fish. Fashion for a mini-aquarium forced the industry to master the production of these products of a wide variety of shapes and sizes. As a rule, small in volume tanks come complete with all necessary equipment. They are convenient to contain one or two small fish.

Mini-aquarium

There is a huge variety of aquariums. They are distinguished not only in form and volume, but also in purpose. Reservoirs can be freshwater or marine. Decorative, made in the form of a wall painting. Gigantic and miniature, designed for breeding or rearing young animals.

In this variety stands a mini-aquarium, which by volume does not exceed 20 liters. Its form is different. The minimum volume for the relatively normal existence of a fish can not be less than 3.5 liters.

There are, of course, smaller products, but they usually contain shrimp or snails, or they perform purely decorative function (they do not have living organisms).

In the pet store you can buy almost any aquarium. The price depends on the capacity and the layout of the product. It ranges from $ 20 to 150. Five or twenty-gallon aquariums amaze with a variety of shapes and can be stylized for a specific interior.

Whom to settle

Mini-aquariums (desktop or wall) can decorate even the most dull or official interior. The presence of an original designed tank with constantly flicking back and forth fish will help to concentrate or, conversely, relax a little during the working day.

To settle in such a limited space suitable such inhabitants of the water world:

• Gertrude pseudo-grave. They live on the islands of Papua New Guinea, in Australia. They grow to 3-4 cm. They have a silver-blue or golden-yellow color. Great for keeping in small containers.
• Copper tetra (Hasanemania nana). Her homeland is Brazil. It grows up to 5 cm, quite an aggressive creature. Color night silvery, and in the afternoon - a pleasant copper shade, in males it is brighter. It is better to keep them a small flock.
• Neons are blue or ordinary. In addition to amazing beauty, these fishes are famous for their peace-loving character. Perfectly adapt to the conditions of detention. For a school of 6-8 individuals, a mini-aquarium is quite suitable.
• Guppy. In natural conditions they live in South America (Venezuela, Brazil, Guiana), on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. Ideal for keeping in an aquarium. An unpretentious and calm fish has such a diverse color that it is simply impossible to list all the variants. Males are much brighter than females. They live perfectly in the pack.
• Cockerels. They have just a luxurious appearance! But because of the pugnacious nature, it is better to keep them individually. Male cockerel is quite suitable for settlement in a mini-aquarium.

Care

Despite its tiny dimensions, such a reservoir requires daily maintenance and water quality control. At your fingertips, there should always be a fluid that is stable for at least 48 hours. Replacement is performed at the rate of no more than 25% of the total amount of contents of the container. Change the water at least once in three or four days. Otherwise, the walls will accumulate the products of life of the inhabitants, and it will be more difficult to clean the aquarium.

Feed the fish in such a way that the food is eaten for 3-5 minutes. All residues are immediately removed. You can not put a container under direct sunlight - this will provoke a rapid growth of algae and an increase in the temperature of the water.

It is not recommended to overpopulate a limited space. Fishes should be similar in behavior (if they are different breeds) and do not differ in size.

Benefits

The advantages of mini-models include the ability to place them almost anywhere: on a table, bookshelf, wall. Such an aquarium is easy to transport, you can quickly and without the hassle of rearranging to a new location.

Perfect for a tank and for catching young animals or mating fishes. You can use it as an isolator, planting sick or newly acquired individuals.

As a rule, such miniature aquariums are sold complete with all necessary equipment. Pump, filters, lighting - everything is neatly and securely mounted in the product itself, there are no unnecessary wires.

disadvantages

The complexity of care for such a fragile ecosystem is due primarily to its size. The smaller the capacity, the more attention it requires. In a small amount of water, changes occur rapidly. Pollution, increase or decrease in temperature occur many times faster than in a large model.

A mini aquarium with a backlight looks spectacular, but the lamp can significantly change the temperature of the water. A small amount of liquid quickly heats up and cools down just as quickly after turning off the appliance. Fluctuations of one to two degrees can be fatal for aquatic inhabitants.

Frequent replacement of water, strict control over fish nutrition, the state of the environment (temperature, purity, acidity), careful selection of tenants and plants is the list of problems that the future owner of a mini-aquarium will face.

Well, perhaps, the most basic drawback - it can not be left unattended even for one day. A business trip or vacation can ruin all living creatures.