Mini Aquariums: The Pros & Cons of Small Fish Tanks
The goldfish bowl of old is being challenged by tiny aquariums that come in a range of intriguing designs and dimensions. Even the tiniest apartment or dorm room at college can be adorned by live fish. But are mini aquariums suitable habitats for fish? If properly designed and maintained properly it is possible to be. However, if they are assembled in a hurry and poorly cared for the fish is doomed to a short and unpleasant existence.
The Good
The best thing about mini aquariums is that anybody can own one. The cost of ownership is minimal and the space required is are so small that almost everybody can have a space for a tiny aquarium. College students living in dorms nursing patients at home, residents of apartments, and even the craziest schools all have room for a small aquarium. Most apartment buildings' "no pet" rules don't apply to fish. Fish can be very relaxing to observe and offer an opportunity for children to take care of animals in areas in which larger pets aren't permitted.
The Bad
Like all fish tanks, mini aquariums also require regular maintenance and shouldn't be bought believing that they can be left unattended for long periods of time. The biggest drawback of smaller aquariums is that they are likely to occur quickly and often end up being dead before they are fixed. This is because of the tiny amount of water in which fish reside, and the fact that changes in the chemistry of water and temperature can occur in the space of hours or sometimes, only a few minutes. This is why it is essential to observe the water's conditions carefully and make regular water changes.
The first-time fish owners need to be extra cautious when they are in the first phase of breaking in of maintaining a miniature aquarium. The levels of toxins within the aquarium will increase dramatically when the biological system is established. If water changes aren't done, the levels will be fatal within a short time. Testing is mandatory to ensure that you have water-testing kits in your arsenal or arrange with the local pet store to perform the tests for you.
The Ugly
Closed systems are populated by one or two plants and may either slowly go through a death spiral or fall victim to diseases brought on due to the stress of living in the environment.
Systems that are less than one gallon, and advertise as "closed" and "low/no maintenance" must be avoided in totality because they are not suitable for fish. Examples of these systems include:
- AquaBabies
- BettaDome
- Betta in a Vase
- Do-Little Aquariums
- Omnarium
Recommendations
The ideal choice is to choose the biggest aquarium that you can fit into. A system that is so small that it is unable to fit a heater or filter is best handled with care. The best option is to find an aquarium that is small but fully featured. One of the most popular is an Eclipse System, which has a filtration system as well an integrated light and the hood. The Eclipse system is currently available in sizes that are as small as 2 Gallons.
A few stores sell kits where small bowls or aquariums are offered along with all the essential items. Take note of the preferences of the fish you wish to keep. If they're not cold water fish, then you'll need an aquarium that has heaters. heating system to keep the temperature within the right range.
Fish Choices
Fish are cold-blooded. This means their body temperature is able to adjust depending on what temperature of the water is. So the temperature of water required by fish is an important aspect to take into consideration when making your selections. Another important aspect is the size. The smaller fish are the most suitable option for a small aquarium. This is why goldfish aren't a good choice since they can become quite large and generate an abundance of waste. Some fish to be considered for a mini aquarium include:
- Bloodfin tetra: tolerates cool water. It is best when kept in the school
- Guppy is small and extremely tolerant of water conditions
- Platy is Very adaptable and often colorful and bright
- Cloud white is a tough fish that favors cool waters
- Zebra Danio is extremely hardy They are tolerant of cool temperatures pretty well
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