Until recently small aquariums on 10-15 liters were used generally only as otsadnik for sick small fishes or, as a last resort, nerestovik. Today, with emergence in the market of the new equipment considerably facilitating care for underwater inhabitants, such small ecosystems entered big fashion. With their help it is possible to decorate an interior of the apartment without special expenses and besides to diversify the leisure.
Upon purchase of the capacity intended for keeping of decorative fishes first of all it is necessary to decide on its sizes, of course. The mini-aquarium desktop can have volume from 5 to 20 liters. In the market there are banks (so experienced aquarians call aquariums) volume even in one liter. However it is worth buying, of course, an aquarium more — at least on 5-10 liters. In such capacity 1-2 small fishes will feel more or less comfortably. Aquariums of the smaller size, perhaps, also look very attractively and unusually, but for fishes can turn into the real prison.
Besides the size, upon purchase of an aquarium it is worth paying, of course, attention and to its form. Today in the market there are banks both round, and rectangular or square. Of course, the first option of an aquarium in an interior will look best of all. However round containers have a number of essential shortcomings. First, small fishes in such aquariums feel not too comfortably because of the curvature given by glass. Also fans of decorative small fishes refer complexity in leaving to shortcomings of such aquariums. It is much more difficult to clean the curved walls from a green raid, than usual equal.
Their unreliability is considered one more lack of round aquariums. During cleaning they often burst around a bottom. It is impossible to eliminate similar cracks in any ways and the aquarium usually just should be thrown out.
Thus, the most convenient type of capacity for keeping of fishes the mini-aquarium desktop rectangular or square is considered. The first option of cans is slightly cheaper and more available, the second looks more originally and more effectively. To look after a square aquarium also easily, as well as rectangular. Therefore many amateur aquarians choose such option mini-banks today.
How to equip a small aquarium
In order that fishes felt in an aquarium comfortably, it, of course, it is necessary to equip with all necessary equipment. First of all the aquarian should buy the filter and the aerator. Also in bank it will be necessary to place various scenery.
The filter in a mini-aquarium desktop is usually installed waterfall or simple internal with the spraying machine. Fans of decorative fishes call the first kind of the equipment also "backpacks". Filters falls are hung on an aquarium wall outside on special clips (like a backpack). The fact that they do not take the place in the aquarium is considered advantage of such models and even increase its engine capacity a little.
The ordinary internal filter for a small aquarium is good the fact that it can be used at the same time and actually for water purification, and for saturation by its oxygen. Complete with such models often there is a so-called flute or the spraying machine — a tubule with the holes drilled in it. The water which is taken away by the filter pump comes to it and pours out in an aquarium from above therefore small "rain" is formed. The streams falling from holes, in addition, create aeration as they "drive in" a large amount of air into water in an aquarium.
Upon purchase of the filter of any design, of course, it is necessary to pay attention and by sight the filler used in it. The simplest models filter water with application only of a usual sponge. Filters for small aquariums can be complemented with coal cartridges more difficult. The last option is convenient when bank it is only started. Coal filters well purify water from various impurity and do it absolutely transparent. Unfortunately, such cartridges do not save an aquarium from ammonia and nitrates. For removal of these substances it is necessary to use filters with other special fillers (or just to fill up them instead of coal). Workers coal filters remain about a month. Then they are changed if desired for new. But aquarians just establish to a thicket instead of the cartridge with coal one more additional foam sponge.
When using the filter with the spraying machine, the compressor in an aquarium, thus, becomes addition superfluous. At application of "backpack" such equipment, most likely, nevertheless should be bought. Models of compressors in the market there is a set today. When choosing concrete it is necessary to pay attention to its power first of all. For what aquarium of engine capacity the compressor is intended, it is usually specified in the instruction for its application. Also it is necessary to make sure that model not too noisy. If the compressor during the work loudly hoots, the maintenance of a small aquarium from pleasure can turn for his owners into the real torture.
Besides the compressor and the filter, of course, to be necessary for a mini-aquarium also the lamp. Expensive aquariums with a cover the similar equipment are equipped usually initially. For a cheap can the lamp should be bought separately. For such aquarium it is the best of all to get usual easy desktop model. Establish such lamps most often directly from above - on the glass closing to bank. Usually twist a LED lamp of not too big power in a cartridge of such models.
What fishes to occupy in bank
It is considered that it is the best of all desktop to occupy labyrinth types of fishes in a mini-aquarium. It can be, for example, lyaliusa, makropoda or cockerels. All these water inhabitants are able to breathe atmospheric air and do not suffer from a lack of space at all. The only minus of labyrinth fishes is that males of this version not always on-dzhentelmentski treat females. In a 5 liter aquarium usually occupy only one small fish. In 10-liter capacity it is already possible to put a couple. And in order that the samochka did not suffer, in an aquarium in this case it is necessary to equip several shelters (from koryazhek, mini-grottoes, plants).
That the samochka did not starve and did not suffer from a beating, in a 10-liter can it is possible to occupy some more small inhabitants also in addition. It will distract attention of a male. Small fishes will be suitable for a small aquarium any unpretentious. It is the best of all if whether it will be, for example, a small flock danio family from two females and one male of the guppy. In the presence of such neighbors the female of a makropod, most likely, will be able to swim on an aquarium absolutely freely. However capacity at the same time will be a little overpopulated, and it in the subsequent should pay more attention.
Besides fishes, in a mini-aquarium it is worth putting, of course, and a snail. She will purify glasses and scenery from a raid. Best of all big ampulyariya are suitable for such cans. At 5-10 liter capacity it is worth putting one such individual.
In addition to fishes in small an aquarium it is possible to settle also a small frog. Such living creatures atmospheric air breathe and oxygen will not take away from small fishes.
Sometimes mini-aquariums occupy not fishes, but shrimps. Such underwater inhabitants very beautifully look, and to watch their life actually interestingly. However shrimps as they eat the decaying remains of food and plants, can be occupied only in an old mini-aquarium. In new they can die from hunger simply.