People who decide to purchase aquarium fish cannot help but be interested in such a question as aquarium design. It is important that this item is in harmony with the interior of the room where it will stand. I would like to create a real underwater kingdom. This material is devoted to various aspects of aquarium design, all the nuances are covered.
Look at the photo of the beautiful design of the aquarium; you will need to additionally purchase lighting and a special device for enriching the water with oxygen. To make the inhabitants of the deep sea feel as if they were in their familiar environment, aquarium plants are needed.
Pour soil with small pebbles at the bottom, put driftwood with shells, install castles with ships, create grottoes and make a background.
If you are just planning to get into aquarium keeping, then take your time to make purchases. First, decide what kind of fish you need. Also, be guided by your own taste preferences when choosing a vessel for keeping fish.
Each inhabitant of the “aquarium house” requires special conditions of detention. If desired, a 100-liter aquarium can be turned into the Kingdom of Neptune.
Study the habits of the fish you like, especially if you want to take several species. Predator fish should not be placed in the same vessel with herbivores. Consult the seller, he will tell you which species coexist peacefully.
It is believed that the mood in the aquarium is set by the soil. It is multifunctional: it is used as a substrate for algae, a natural biofilter. Soil is required for fish to live. When choosing it, you should take into account the fraction, volume and color.
Give preference to a darker tone, then the aquarium fish will not merge with the ground.
When decorating an aquarium with your own hands, remember that you can only use safe materials that do not release toxins. If you plan to select driftwood rocks yourself, make sure they do not release toxic toxins.
For fish, the background does not play any role; this element is of great importance to the owner. You can make any aquarium background yourself and attach it. The easiest way is to paint the outside of the back wall of the container.
Living plants are “lungs”; they release oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. Many fish eat plant foods. And during spawning, algae become a temporary home for the eggs. Artificial vegetation of rich flowers looks beautiful.
Light in an aquarium is the source of life. Good lighting is a must. Manufacturers produce backlights in various colors. Models are fixed at the bottom and at the top.
If you haven’t decided yet how to decorate a round aquarium, take a look at ready-made solutions. Shells, castles, and ships are often used as decorative elements. You don't have to buy them from pet stores.
You can choose the diver figures yourself. The main thing is that they are not made from toxic materials. It is not recommended to use broken shells: the fish may be injured.
If we consider classic variations, pay attention to:
Many beginners in the aquarium hobby prefer amateur design options. They use skulls, amphorae and other elements as decoration. The principles stated above are not followed.
You can buy a colorful children's aquarium for your child. It should not be placed in the nursery; filtration and aeration make noise during operation and can therefore wake up the baby.
The special prefix “pseudo” makes it clear that the surroundings are created to imitate a marine aquarium, where brightly colored fish are stocked. Corals, large shells and polyps are placed in the aquarium.
An aquarium in a modern interior can be designed taking into account the natural habitat of the fish. This is the so-called “light version” of the Dutch aquarium. Algae, stones and driftwood are placed in the vessel. An aquarist does not need to know everything about plants. It is enough if he provides them with simple care.
As for the natural aquarium, it main feature consists of densely planted vegetation. To create an aquascape, you will need to study the life of underwater plants. The algae needs to be fed and it is important to use the CO2 system correctly.
A themed aquarium gives you the opportunity to realize your dreams or fantasies. Create an underwater world against the backdrop of a sunken ship or Neptune's underwater palace.
The Glo aquarium is a fashionable novelty. Everything shimmers in the pond; it looks great at any time of the day. They contain fluorescent live fish.
A marine aquarium is designed for keeping saltwater fish. The marine theme always looks advantageous. However, the reservoir itself and its arrangement are expensive.
This aquarium contains exclusively fish from the cichlid family. Peaceful cichdids include angelfish, Pelmatochromis parrots, and Labidochromis yellow. But basically, cichlids are capricious predators, and we should not forget about this. You should not buy too many fish for one aquarium. Cichlids grow quickly, and adult angelfish have a wingspan of up to 15 cm.
The aquarium for African cichlids is a stone desert where artificial plants are placed. This arrangement resembles a natural habitat.
If you want to create an underwater garden where cichlids live, choose apistogram or parrots. When angelfish live in an aquarium, zoning the territory is simply necessary: the fish often fight.
Naturally, with your own, how could it be otherwise, you say. And you will be wrong.
Today you can order a design from companies that now specialize in this.
But, firstly, this service is very expensive, and secondly, additional equipment will be required to successfully implement the idea.
In particular, CO2 systems, specialized lighting for plants, nutrient soil, stones, driftwood and, finally, the plants themselves.
Note that the latter are sometimes much more expensive than fish.
It’s good to look at the most incredible aquascapes in the photo, which the pros have worked on, and dream about something similar in your aquarium. When you look at a painting by a great artist, don’t you say that now you will draw no worse? At the very least, you don’t even have paints, brushes, a canvas or an easel. The same thing happens with aquarium design. Not so simple. This requires a creative approach, artistic taste and knowledge of some aquascaping rules.
It is best to try to repeat the design of your aquarium using already ready idea. No one will accuse you of plagiarism. Let's try to decide what materials (decorative or natural) we will need to make our dreams come true.
Let's decide which design touched our soul the most.
A sea aquarium is the most complex and expensive option. Its inhabitants are sea fish. They are not bred, but caught in the seas. The water in such an aquarium is, of course, sea water, and the stones and corals are not just natural, but living. The design of a marine aquarium requires special light with a predominance of the blue spectrum and equipment for the life support of marine inhabitants. Aquascapers claim that a saltwater aquarium with equipment is twice as expensive as a freshwater one.
Pseudo-sea aquarium. This option is more accessible for arrangement in an apartment. It only imitates the seabed. The water in it is ordinary, ours from the tap, and the fish are freshwater. Most often, a pseudomarine aquarium is populated with American or African cichlids. Artificial corals are used as decoration. Plants, as a rule, are absent here, since cichlids are not indifferent to them. If they don’t chew it, they will definitely dig it up. Just be prepared for the fact that they will damage the plants. And then, depending on your luck. Maybe some plants will survive.
Planted aquarium Herbalist (not dispersed) is most often found among amateurs. It is characterized by the absence of a CO2 supply system to the aquarium and the absence of powerful light (0.5 watt/1 liter is enough for most plants). Liquid fertilizers are not added to the water; they are needed only for the roots of plants. It is possible to use enriched soil for aquarium plants.
Note that the plants that grow here are the most unpretentious: hornwort, elodea, vallisneria, cryptocarinae, anubius, Thai fern and some others. Light-loving plants, including ground cover, will not grow in such a herbalist. They require more exalted conditions: bright light, phyto-lamps, CO2, macro- and micro-fertilizers.
To create an underwater garden (overclocked herbalist), you will need soil from ADA or Dennerle, specialized lighting, adding CO2 to the water and professional fertilizers developed by manufacturers specifically for aquarium flora. This is where we can talk about aquarium design seriously! If you are able to purchase all these components, then you can organize Dutch herbalist.
Perhaps the most popular option today. The idea of creating such an underwater design belongs to the famous Japanese Takashi Amano (photographer and aquascaper). He became the author of a completely new direction in the design of freshwater aquariums.
Natural aquariums Amano are definitely masterpieces, they are unique and unparalleled. Anyone who once encountered the incredible beauty of a natural aquarium will remember with a grin how he almost coveted artificial grottoes and plastic plants in a pet store. “No” to everything artificial and unnatural! “Yes” to a natural aquarium!
This is an example of my planted aquariums. There are no shells, corals or other ceramic nonsense in them. Live plants and driftwood.
If you can't afford a CO2 installation, try doing without it. In this case, we do not need powerful light and daily fertilization. But fertilizers for the roots are mandatory. In what form to provide them to the plants is up to you to decide. These can be ready-made enriched soils from ADA, JBL, Dennerle or Aquael. You will get a stable system and will not have any problems for about a year. After this, the soil will become poorer, the microelements in it will run out, and they will have to be added or the soil replaced with a new one.
Let's leave the story aquariums with sunken ships, broken amformai and painted soil to the children. Although, even in children it is better to instill initially good taste from early childhood. What do you think?
"Classic" Economy Line aquariums are simple, reliable, and most importantly inexpensive aquariums, manufactured industrially at automated production Biodesign group of companies. This is a popular and widespread series of aquariums, with a water volume from 20 to 55 liters, produced in a rectangular shape and a panoramic shape (with a curved front glass). Aquarium "Classic" is suitable for small fish, shrimp, crustaceans and herbal fish with moderate lighting needs. The “Classic” aquarium of the Economy Line series will be an excellent gift for children and beginning aquarists.
Technical features:
Question from Elena
Good afternoon My name is Elena. As a child, I had a dream - an aquarium, and now I became a mother myself and decided to make my dream come true, but my husband was in no hurry with this issue because he believes that there are other more important things. And so my brother brought us a used aquarium - approximately 40-45 liters.
I was very happy, I washed it, washed the sand, poured it on the bottom, and poured in the settled water, planted a spiral bush and something else that looked like a plantain and floating on top.
We launched guppies and couldn’t be happier, after which my husband bought them external filter and ancitrus catfish, installed a lamp daylight at 8 watts, after which I went to the market and bought for my 5 guppies and catfish: 5 guppies, 2 catfish, 2 swordtails, and 2 neon, 2 cockerels and 1 guppy. I feed them 2 times a day, but I’m worried about the dirt on the algae like gunpowder, and the black spots, although I clean it almost every day, and sometimes add water, then change almost all of it...
Greetings!
A dream is very good, and if you make some adjustments to the process of caring for the aquarium and keeping the fish, then over time everything should improve.
Let's try to figure out in order what you should do.
It is obvious that there are problems with starting the aquarium. We have a detailed article on our website describing the news from scratch. At the moment, it may not help you much, since your aquarium is already running, but if you are planning to launch another one, I advise you to read it.
yours main mistake on initial stage was that you launched the fish into an unstable biosystem, that is, a system without the necessary biological balance.
To achieve balance, the first week the aquarium should have been filled with water and soil with the filter running - without plants and fish, the second week with plants + snails, if any, and only after 15-20 days could fish be introduced into the aquarium.
Cleaning the aquarium - this should be done in an established aquarium once a week. You siphon the soil, pump out 20-30% of the water and add settled water to replace this 20-30%.
Feed your fish once a day - preferably always at the same time. Moreover, now there are clearly problems in the aquarium, it is better to feed in reduced portions.
First you need to achieve the necessary balance. To do this, it is necessary to do gradual water changes in the aquarium. It is necessary to defend the water according to all the rules - a week, preferably a lot of water :). And then replace every other day by 20-30% of the volume - in your case, 10-15 liters. Don’t just lure the water, and siphon the soil with a special siphon, since there is a suspicion that too much fish waste is accumulating in the soil. Make 4-5 changes.
Feed the fish every other day or at least once a day a little, I think in this mode for at least a week.
Plant more plants in the soil so that they help with their roots to process the remaining organic matter that collects in the soil.
And of course, don’t forget to provide the fish with aeration - using a compressor, for example.
In aquarium farming it is not customary to start small. Small volumes create big problems, since a miniature system lacks inertia, and the biological equilibrium in it is unstable. However, small aquariums are now becoming increasingly popular. They are less expensive, compact, and with proper design and care, they are amazingly beautiful. But making a small aquarium bring great pleasure is not easy.
Aquariums with a volume of less than 30-40 liters are considered small, usually from 5 to 20 liters. They are often called nanoaquariums (from the Greek 
nano - “small, tiny, dwarf”), emphasizing with this term not only their size, but also their modernity and manufacturability. There are also microaquariums, their capacity is 1-2 liters, and animals are not allowed in them, with the exception of some types of snails. The world's smallest fish aquarium was created by Omsk miniaturist Anatoly Konenko and his son Stanislav. They placed soil, a specially designed mini-compressor, small Cladophora bushes and several zebrafish fry in 10 ml of water.
Let’s immediately agree that we will not call a round ten-liter jar with a goldfish a nanoaquarium, since this is not an aquarium, but a mockery of fish and all the principles of aquarium management.
An aquarium, no matter what size it is, is an equilibrium biological system whose inhabitants feel comfortable. Achieve this in small volume- a whole science. But if this is successful, the results can be simply amazing. Such aquariums, where a living biotope is reproduced in a tiny volume, resemble japanese art bonsai or scale models of luxury cars: small, but for real.
Of course, not all small aquariums are worthy of aquascaping competitions or books of records, but any of them should please the eye of its owner and create a comfortable environment for its inhabitants.
Nanoaquariums have a rectangular, cubic or similar shape. They are usually covered with a transparent coverslip 
glass, which allows you to admire them from above. They are located away from drafts and direct sunlight and closer to the outlet that will be needed to connect the equipment.
The equipment for nanoaquariums is generally the same as for large ones, that is, a filter (in some cases a pump with an aerator is sufficient), lighting, if necessary, a heater, preferably complete with a thermostat, and a supply system carbon dioxide.
For those who do not have the experience and time to select aquarium equipment, fully equipped nanoaquariums are available for sale. The Aqua El Shrim Set and Dennerle Nano Cube series complexes are recognized as the best in terms of price and quality ratio.
And if you want to save money or are interested in choosing all the filling for your nanocube yourself, there is plenty to choose from.
For a small aquarium, a filter is vital. Since the balance in this system is very fragile, and a small deviation in the parameters of aquarium water can be fatal for its inhabitants, it is necessary to reduce the risk of these fluctuations as much as possible. Therefore, pumps without a sponge or with a small sponge the size of a matchbox are not suitable. Or rather, they can be used, but only in aquariums with a very large number of living plants and without fish, with only invertebrates. However, with such a population, you can do without a filter at all or limit yourself to a compressor.
If there are fish in the aquarium, the requirements for the filter are very serious. It should have a large filler surface to create biofiltration, pass 8-15 aquarium volumes per hour, but not create strong flows of water that will damage plants, fish and crustaceans. In addition, small inhabitants of the aquarium should not enter its water intakes. And, of course, it should take up minimal space in the aquarium or be well decorated and fit into the landscape. Another optional, but very desirable condition is that the filter material should be removed from the water for rinsing without dismantling the filter itself; this greatly facilitates maintenance of the aquarium.
The following types of filters partially or fully satisfy these conditions:
In addition to these models, in small-volume aquariums you can use various homemade designs- airlifts, Hamburg filters, plastic bottles with a fibrous or porous substance connected to the pump. There is only one requirement: water under pressure must pass through a sufficient volume of material that provides mechanical filtration and can serve as a substrate for bacteria participating in the nitrogen cycle.
An additional filter in a small aquarium is live plants, sometimes they are even placed in a hanging waterfall, making it a phytofilter.
Due to the mandatory presence of living plants, the issue of lighting a small aquarium becomes relevant. There, lamps built into the lid are almost never used; the lamps are installed at a certain height above the aquarium. Fluorescent or LED lamps are usually used. In general, the rule is this: if the lamps are fluorescent, then for unpretentious plants the light should be 0.5 W per liter of water, for fastidious ground cover or those with a reddish tint - 1 W per liter. If the lamps are LED, then the ratio of lamp power and luminous flux is different, and here they already look at the number of lumens. For undemanding plants, illumination of 25 lm per liter is sufficient, for demanding plants - 50 lm.
The choice of plants for a nanoaquarium should depend on the lighting power and whether the carbon dioxide supply is organized. If the light is bright, the soil is specialized, containing organic matter and CO 2, then any small plants can be planted; only the owner’s preferences play a role here. In a more modestly equipped aquarium, they limit themselves to unpretentious and slow-growing plants.
Lileopsis brasiliensis, hemianthus cuba, and marsilia are used as groundcovers. Blixa japonica, which is considered a ground cover in large aquariums, looks like a bush in small volumes.
In addition, various types of anubias, cryptocorynes, pogostemons, rotal, and ferns are grown. Mosses are used to decorate driftwood, stones and equipment elements. Cladophora balls can often be found. In short, there is room for creativity here, almost like in a large aquarium.
When choosing inhabitants for a small aquarium, first of all, of course, you need to pay attention to their size. Fish should not be more than 3-4 cm long, and if the aquarium is completely “nano”, up to 15 liters - more than 2-3 cm. In addition, fish should be peaceful, not too voracious, not territorial and quite unpretentious, at least if this is your first experience in nanoaquariums. And, of course, they must be brightly and variedly colored and active to make them interesting to watch.
zebrafish
A fairly large number of fish fit these conditions. The most honorable place in nanoaquariums is occupied by representatives of cyprinids - zebrafish, microrasboras, and boraras. With its amazing colors, the Microassembly galaxy is truly the queen of small volumes.
Of the characin fish, neons and tetra amandas can be placed in such an aquarium, and of viviparous fish - guppies and platies. In addition, you can get small catfish, for example, the pygmy corydoras or otocinclus. Cockerels feel good in a small volume.
It is better to take fish in schools of 3-4 pieces (of course, except for pugnacious cockerels), so they will feel more comfortable. The stocking density of small fish should be approximately 1 fish per 2 liters of water.
In addition to fish, various types of shrimp, dwarf crayfish (they are incompatible with shrimp), and Hymenochirus frogs live well in the nanoaquarium.
You can decorate a nanoaquarium in different styles. Iwagumi styles are popular among aqua designers - decoration with stones of different 
shapes, rayuboku - decoration with driftwood, wabikus - in the form of a hummock with plants. But here the taste and preferences of the owner are decisive. For example, if an aquarium is in a child’s room, it is quite appropriate to place a mermaid’s castle or a sunken ship and toy scuba divers in it. The main thing is that the decorations do not take up too much space (as a general rule, no more than a quarter of the bottom surface and half the height), hide the aquarium equipment and leave room for plants and fish. In addition, if there are shrimp in the aquarium, you must keep in mind that any objects protruding from the water can contribute to their escape from the aquarium.
The soil in small aquariums is usually used in two layers: the bottom layer is a nutrient substrate, the top layer is gravel, the total layer thickness should be 3-4 cm.
Caring for a small aquarium is not too labor-intensive, the main thing is that it is permanent. If you can forget about a safe two-hundred-liter jar for a month (do not clean it or change the water, but only feed the fish), and nothing terrible will happen, except that the beauty will become a little less, then such a trick will not work with a nanoaquarium. You cannot delay cleaning for one day or overfeed the fish a little, this can lead to irreversible consequences. Depending on the volume and population of the aquarium, a schedule should be drawn up for turning on and off the lighting, feeding the animals, water changes (usually they are carried out weekly for 1/3-1/2), and cleaning the bottom. This schedule must be strictly followed. Most importantly, a small aquarium requires close monitoring and immediate action is taken at the slightest sign of imbalance. It is highly recommended to use water quality tests early after launch to monitor at least ammonia and nitrites.
Of course, a small aquarium in an apartment or office is not just a piece of furniture; it requires care and attention, but provided that the equipment and inhabitants are correctly selected and simple rules are followed, it is quite an affordable pleasure even for a person ignorant of aquariums.
A small aquarium is a tank with parameters of 20x40 cm or less (nano aquarium), in which you can place small ornamental fish. The volume of such containers can be from 10 to 20 cubic liters, so they are suitable for installing decorations and equipment. In a small aquarium you need to install lighting, plant plants, decor, and don’t forget about the filter and compressor. That is, a small aquarium should not differ in functionality from a spacious one.
Caring for a small aquarium, on the one hand, is easy, but on the other, it will cause trouble. Choose a rectangular mini tank with straight and smooth walls. They are convenient to clean with a scraper and maintain. If the container is round, then getting to its corners will be inconvenient and difficult to clean. A 10-liter aquarium gets dirty faster than a 50-100-liter one. Water changes will have to be done more often, as well as comprehensive cleaning, which is not beneficial for the biobalance of the aquatic environment and the health of the fish.
The main disadvantage of mini tanks is the small amount of water. It won't hold a lot of fish. You can put 1-2 fish there, and no more. In a large aquarium, water changes are not very noticeable, but in a small aquarium it is a lot of stress. Any changes in the biological balance: death of fish, overfeeding, pollution immediately affect aquatic environment. The only thing that can be done is to adjust the water parameters in time, carefully feed the fish, and clean the bottom.
See how soil siphoning occurs in a nano aquarium.
You need to care for a small aquarium in the same way as a large one. Once a week you need to change 10-15% of the water, if necessary. To avoid stress for the fish, do not completely replace the water, try to add it in small portions. The ideal aquarium filter for such a tank is a pump with an internal sponge. The sponge should not be washed under running water, otherwise all beneficial bacteria participating in the nitrogen cycle will die.
If you choose the smallest tank, it will be almost impossible to install plants and decorations in it. Some skillfully plant even in 3-liter jars dwarf plants, but they are inconvenient to care for. In a 10-liter tank it is possible to keep dwarf Anubias, dwarf arrowhead, Echinodorus “dwarf Amazon”, and dwarf Cryptocoryne. Plants for a small aquarium are able to control the level of nitrites, nitrates and ammonia, and create hiding places for fish. Make sure there is soil in the aquarium. Choose a substrate that is processed, clean, and without paint. Remember that it is very difficult to clean out a layer of plaque from aquariums of minimal size with a regular scraper.
Now about feeding. As you know, overfeeding not only harms the health of the fish, but also negatively affects the quality of water. Everything uneaten decomposes, turning into harmful impurities and bacteria. Decay products settle on the bottom and frames of the tank, disrupting the stability of the biological environment. The fish must be well-fed; hunger is also not an option. Once a week, arrange for the fish fasting days. Add food in 4-6 grains, as large as your pet can swallow. What is not eaten must be removed with a gauze net.
Give fish that live in a small 10-20 liter nursery as much food as they can eat in 2-6 minutes. Flakes, live food, and sinking pellets are fine. They sink slowly and do not pollute the environment. If you have bottom-dwelling catfish, they will eat everything on their own. The fish can be fed with their usual nutritious food without disturbing their diet. It is important to clean everything on time.
See how to decorate a small aquarium.
What fish can be kept in mini aquariums? Pets with miniature body sizes should be placed in a small 10-20 liter tank. Fish 2-6 centimeters in length will tolerate this volume of water. But remember that even small fish want to swim in a spacious environment. They should not be kept in containers that will restrict movement. Territorial and aggressive fish should not be placed in mini aquariums. Which ones should not be placed in 10-liter aquariums? These are swordtails, medium-sized barbs, cichlids, gourami, and zebrafish. They have an active and energetic disposition and require more hiding space.
In an aquarium of 10-20 liters you can put small barbs, Gertrude pseudomugil, rice fish, cherry barbs, rasbor, erythrozonus, neons, Amanda tetra. You can also keep the following fish and shrimp there: otocinclus catfish, corydoras, amano shrimp, cherry shrimp, copper tetra. Representatives of the genus Poeciliaceae, viviparous fish, get along well in mini tanks.
You need to buy fish breeds with strong immunity, that is, not purebred fish, but hybrids. If you do not have the opportunity to buy a spacious “house” for your small pet, you need to buy a small aquarium with a capacity of 10 liters. The well-known Siamese cockerels are also often housed there. The cockerel can live alone and does not get along with its relatives; it is a fighting fish, after all.
See also: Small aquarium fish.
AQUARIUM DESIGNDecorating an aquarium is a worthy and fertile topic of conversation. This is not surprising, because this is the primary question that people who have just bought an aquarium ask themselves.
Unfortunately, this issue is surprisingly poorly covered on the Internet, briefly or fragmentarily. We hope this article will reveal all the aspects and nuances of aquarium design and help you create your own aquarium kingdom.
The soil is one of the most important elements of the aquarium; it is its mood. It is very important to approach the issue of its choice with special attention, because in addition to decorative functions, the soil plays the role of: a substrate for plants, for spawning and the life of fish. It is important to choose the right fraction of soil, it is important to choose the required volume of soil, and only then the color of the soil. There is a good article on our website about the selection and selection of soil, we suggest you read: HERE.Speaking about the decorative properties of the soil, it is recommended to choose a soil of darker tones, so that bright and light colors the aquarium bottom was not overshadowed by the charm and beauty of the “main heroes of the occasion” - the fish. 
DESIGNING THE AQUARIUM WITH STONES AND GROTTOES. An important technical nuance when decorating an aquarium with stones, grottoes, caves, etc. is the use of non-toxic, non-toxic materials. If stones and driftwood are selected and made independently, you need to do everything according to the rules and make sure that they do not release into the water harmful substances. Certainly the decorations should not be made of limestone, rubber and metal, no paints or enamels!!!
Speaking about the aesthetic part of the design of the reservoir, you should always remember that stones, grottoes, driftwood are taken away from the aquarium " usable area" - living space. The amount of such decor is calculated based on the volume of the aquarium and the needs of the fish themselves. In addition, it should be taken into account that large decorative elements are installed along the edges of the aquarium or in the background. Don't put a huge castle in the middle!!! This is the equivalent of people putting the refrigerator in the middle of the kitchen instead of in the corner. An aquarium is an amphitheater of life!
DESIGNING AN AQUARIUM WITH A BACKGROUND. The background of the aquarium is not so important for the aquarium inhabitants themselves. In fact, fish can live without it. The background is more important for a person; one might say, these are “aquarium curtains” that play more aesthetic role rather than technical.
For information on what types of aquarium backgrounds there are, how to make and attach them, see HERE.
DECORATING THE AQUARIUM WITH LIVE AND ARTIFICIAL PLANTS.
Continuing to use metaphors, we can say that if the background of the aquarium is “curtains,” then the plants are “indoor flowers on the windowsill.” What they will be like and how many there will be will determine how your aquarium “window” will look. We recommend you look at this wonderful article on this topic - HERE.
AQUARIUM LIGHT DESIGN
The power and spectrum of light is important for aquarium plants - this is their source of life. When it comes to decorating an aquarium, the color of the light is important. Today there is a huge variety of colors for aquarium lamps. Choose according to your taste! Moreover, there are various bottom aquarium lights in the form of volcanoes, lanterns and LED aerators. Here they are.
DESIGNING THE AQUARIUM WITH ANOTHER DECOR. 
Aquariums can be decorated with shells, castles, ships, diver figures, skulls, etc. At the same time, it is not necessary to buy all this at a pet store at an exorbitant price. When using such decorations, you need to adhere to only two rules: non-toxicity and safety. The shells should not be sharp, and the figures of divers should not be made of rubber. See also the article Seashells in an aquarium.
MAIN DIRECTIONS, TYPES AND EXAMPLES OF AQUARIUM DESIGN
The classic design options for a fish aquarium are:
Biotope– such an aquarium is designed to match the specific water landscape of a lake or stream.
Dutch- an aquarium, the main place in which is given to plants. Such an aquarium is popularly called a “herbalist”. The most famous Dutch aquariums are created by a mega-aquarist Takashi Amano, here are his works:
Geographical– such an aquarium is designed for a specific region, it contains fish only from this region.
In the vastness of our Motherland, you can most often find "household aquarium"- where the above principles are not observed. In such aquariums you can often find castles, amphorae, divers, skulls, etc., etc., etc. In addition, there is a whole industry children's aquariums. Here's an example: 
There are other directions in aquarium design.
As they say, how many people have so many opinions.
Next, let's clearly see the design options for an aquarium.
Pseudo-sea aquariums Such aquariums are designed and imitate marine aquariums - the seabed. The prefix “pseudo” indicates that such a reservoir does not contain sea fish. Only the surroundings are created!
As a rule, brightly colored fish are selected for such an aquarium, which are often characteristic of cichlids, for example, elow, demanosi, parrots, etc. The aquarium itself is decorated with corals, artificial polyps and sea shells. 
Dutch aquarium “light version” Aquarium close to natural conditions fish habitat. It contains live aquarium plants, driftwood, stones, but “in a lightweight form.” Such aquariums do not require the aquarist to have special knowledge about plant life. Basic care for them is the key to success and achieving your goals. 
Truly Dutch aquarium - “herbalist” These are densely planted aquariums. Completely imitating all the beauty of freshwater bodies of water. To create such an aquarium, you need knowledge about plants, you need to study the issue of feeding aquarium plants and using a CO2 system for the aquarium. 
Household, children's, themed aquarium Such aquariums are designed according to a specific idea. As a rule, this is a person’s fiction and fantasy. 
Futuristic aquariums or Glo aquariums Relatively recently, the fashion for creating Glo-reservoirs has become fashionable among aquarists. Where everything glows with neon and plays with phosphorus. There are even fluorescent live fish. Such aquariums look beautiful in the evening and at night. Read more about Glo-fish are here.
Marine aquariums These are aquariums that contain marine, saltwater fish. The aquarium is riddled marine theme. The disadvantage of such reservoirs is the price and the huge cost of maintenance. 
Cichlid A species aquarium that contains only fish from the cichlid family.
Look CICHLID - cichlids in an aquarium 
There are also industrial and show aquariums 
We wish you success in designing and creating your own individual aquarium kingdom; below are additionally presented photos that clearly show all the diversity and flight of aquarium thought in the issue covered. 
Video about decorating an aquarium
An aquarium in the interior always attracts attention, even if it is quite modest in size, and only one fish swims in it. The movement of colorful creatures behind the glass attracts the eye, so it is important that the design of the aquarium is in harmony with the overall design of the room, complements it and evokes only positive emotions. Choosing an aquarium can be quite difficult, and even more difficult is deciding how to decorate the aquarium so that it looks stylish and impressive, and not tasteless and rude. Let's look at the points.
Aquariums can be of different shapes, sizes and even colors in appearance. Today, the approach to aquarium design has changed somewhat, and along with classic options, decorators offer truly unusual, original and stylish ones. According to their shape, all aquariums can be divided into several categories:
The size also directly affects the role of the aquarium in the design of the room, because the larger it is, the more noticeable and impressive. Just a few years ago it was very fashionable to use large aquariums in design; truly huge aquariums mounted into the wall were especially popular and admired. Today, the emphasis is not so much on the size, but on the shape and design of the aquarium - the more creative the approach, the more interesting. Such an aquarium may be very small, but it is impossible not to notice it.
There are indeed many options for aquariums, and it is important to choose the one that suits the interior of the room and will perform not only practical, but also decorative functions. So, in modern aquarium design main role form plays a role, and sometimes you can find mind-blowing solutions that delight you with their unusualness. But also traditional options retain their position, because classics in interior design, as in clothing design, are beyond fashion and trends.
So, several ways to design and decorate an aquarium:
The option is original. The size or location does not matter here - the designers’ imagination is so crazy that today an aquarium can be found in completely unexpected places. For example, the design of an aquarium in the form of an old TV, when instead of a “blue screen” there is an aquarium with colorful fish. Even more creative is an aquarium in the toilet, on the spot cistern. It is likely that guests will be genuinely afraid to flush the water. Or a very small aquarium in the shape of an incandescent light bulb, which will become a spectacular detail on your desktop.
It’s always easier to decorate something big, because your imagination has room to run wild, and big square offers more possibilities. But what should those who cannot find a place in their apartment or house for a luxurious aquarium do, but are content with a small one? How to decorate a small aquarium neatly and stylishly? There can be a lot of solutions, but they all must comply with two main rules: a combination of decorative elements with each other and a small number of them.
For example, if you use large stones to decorate an aquarium, then large algae will be unnecessary; they will only cover the space. It is better to select small plants and place them along one of the walls, thus creating a kind of “curtain”. Aquarium decoration round shape and small size (for example, tabletop), does not involve the use of plants at all - it is better to give preference to small details at the bottom. Coins, stones, shells, jewelry, small figurines - all this can be used for decoration.
Today, interior design is of a very specific nature; it is very fashionable to reflect your qualities, hobbies, and worldview in the furnishings and details of your home. This trend is also noticeable in aquarium design, which is why thematic design is very popular. For example, if a boy lives in the room, then the aquarium can easily be turned into an unusual garage, or you can make it a visual textbook if you laminate the letters printed on pieces of paper and put them in the aquarium.
How to decorate an aquarium for a girl? If she likes vintage, a small ceramic box with a pearl necklace peeking out would be an eye-catching solution. You can put a small toy crown or a vintage mirror nearby. A beautiful reception will be different sizes stones with openwork patterns, which are painted using stencil technology using lace.
When decorating an aquarium, do not be afraid to choose unusual solutions, because such an element of the interior is an excellent opportunity to try something original, even if the entire room’s furnishings are quite calm and cozy.
To properly maintain a round aquarium and maintain the desired balance in it, certain knowledge and experience are required.
After equipping the aquarium with everything necessary, you should move on to selecting “tenants”. The classic option is a goldfish, it’s worth discarding right away. She needs space, so a volume of at least 40-50 liters is needed per individual.
Before you buy fish, you need to calculate how many inhabitants will fit in the aquarium, taking into account its volume and features.
Fish that can live in a round aquarium: platies, guppies, neons, molynesias, swordtails, cockerels, daneos, corydoras, lalius, ampularia.
The most ideal option is Cherry Shrimp. They only require lighting as equipment, and oxygen and a filter are not necessary for them.
If you decide to place cherry shrimp in the aquarium, place soil, driftwood, and a lump of moss on the bottom. Please note that you will have to change the water every 2-3 weeks.
Required equipment includes:
If you are still interested in a round aquarium, you should be attentive to its shortcomings, but not afraid of them. First, decide on the volume. As mentioned above, the average volume of round aquariums is 10 liters, but you can purchase containers of 20 or 30 liters. 
You will need special equipment to create cozy conditions. This is a compressor bottom filter and a heater. It is also necessary to provide a glass aquarium with lighting, although it will be difficult to install it yourself. In order not to complicate your life, it is better to purchase a container with a built-in lamp.
As for the rest, the heater, filter and compressor are purchased separately. In the pet store you can find special models for round containers - for example, a round bottom filter or a convenient compressor that is hidden in tight spaces. There are aquariums with a built-in filter.
In addition to the equipment, you will need a lid for a round aquarium. She has several tasks at once:
Finding the cover separately can be difficult. This is the second reason why it is better to choose a round aquarium with a lid. The aquarium stand is included in the kit, but it can be made to order or purchased separately in the store.
How to register it?
Designing a round aquarium requires a special approach. An aquarium is not only an interior object. Its main function is to create conditions for the life of aquatic creatures. Therefore, you will have to purchase special equipment for a round aquarium.
Without it, the fish will not be able to survive. It is necessary to place a compressor, a heater, a filter in the flask, and provide lighting. Conventional devices will not work; they will stand out too much in the water space. When purchasing, you should choose models that indicate “for a round aquarium.”
The shape and dimensions allow them to be carefully placed so as to least spoil the appearance. Pebbles are placed scattered at the bottom, and plants take root in them. Equipment for a round aquarium is hidden as much as possible by plant shoots.
It is advisable to select aquatic plants such that they do not hide the main inhabitants with their bizarre appearance. And pay special attention to the shape and size of the pebbles. Remember, in a round aquarium all the details look more prominent. Therefore, any defect is immediately noticeable.
A round aquarium and a goldfish swimming in it are an invariable attribute of the interior. small apartment from the last century. But the size of the vessel and its shape impose a lot of unpleasant restrictions on the process of keeping fish. For example, it would be extremely difficult to fit special equipment into it, so people do without it. And the disadvantages of the vessel are too obvious:
Decor
The specific shape and small volume do not allow creating thematic landscapes with large-scale decoration in the form of ship wrecks or castle ruins. However, when designing a round aquarium, you can use other design techniques. For example, among the stones you can place a miniature model of a chest from a pirate ship.
Or lay out several fragments of ethnic ceramics. Main principle, on which the decor of the space of an aquarium of this shape is based - minimalism. Otherwise, you won’t be able to see the underwater inhabitants behind all the elements.
The lid for a round aquarium performs several functions: it prevents fish from jumping out, atypical objects from getting inside, it protects animals from children and cats, 
and also serves as a place for mounting the backlight. Therefore, it is better to purchase an aquarium immediately with a lid, rather than looking for it later the desired model. A lid for a round aquarium can only be purchased in specialized stores. It is more difficult to find a lid just for a semicircular aquarium.
To live in glass ball Betta fish and small viviparous fish - guppies, mollies, platies - can be used. Their life will not be comfortable, but thanks to their unpretentiousness and resistance to stress, they adapt to a spherical container. Shrimp, snails and small aquatic plants do very well in round aquariums.
To improve the quality of life of aquatic inhabitants in a round aquarium, it is worth installing special equipment - miniature submersible filters that can be placed at the bottom, or mounted cascade filters mounted on the edge of the tank, lamps with clothespins and heaters in the form of mats.
There are more convenient option. You can buy complete round aquariums with built-in equipment (better well-known companies). Such aquariums already have a durable stand, convenient lighting, a well-thought-out filtration and aeration system, as well as instructions for starting and operating the aquarium.
As for plants, it is better to choose live ones for a round aquarium, since in the absence of equipment they will be a source of oxygen. For example, many fish, incl. molynesias will die without living algae.
U artificial plants they have their advantages: they do not require special care, so they remain beautiful longer; It is easier to lay eggs on them during spawning. Therefore, a couple of artificial branches in a round aquarium will not hurt.
Here are the plants that can be purchased for a round aquarium: elodea, pistia, cryptocoryne, nayas, hornwort, spiral valisneria.
The third stage in “living in” a round aquarium is its design. Aquarium equipment should be hidden as much as possible by plants. 
Pebbles also need to be selected wisely. It must be remembered that in a round aquarium all the details look more convex. Therefore, any, even the smallest defect will be immediately noticeable.
You can buy special colored primer in specialized stores. If your aquarium is large, you can put driftwood or an artificial house on the bottom.
FISH
In a round container, light is refracted in a unique way. According to a common opinion among aquarists, not all fish are able to survive in such conditions. Firstly, living beings may experience stress due to distortions in the surrounding reality, and secondly, this shortens the lifespan of nervous fish. Although the main limitation is the amount of space. Fish for a round aquarium are only suitable for small sizes.
You should definitely place a small catfish here so that it cleans the glass of green deposits. Neons, cockerels, and laliuses will feel great in the water. Goldfish in small quantities grow poorly and often get sick. The number of small fish should be maintained at the same level.
Before adding neons here, you should make calculations: the amount is determined by the volume of the aquarium. Overpopulation will immediately affect the health of the fish and the general appearance of the artificial reservoir. The power of the equipment for the aquarium is selected in accordance with the needs of a specific group of fish. It is better if the fish for a round aquarium are bright and noticeable. For example, some types of guppies.
What soil is best for an aquarium? How much is needed? How to siphon and clean the soil in an aquarium? The answers to all these questions, which are important for the full existence of the “residents” of the aquarium, will be discussed in this article. Let's build the right aquarium with your own hands, taking into account all the nuances of the nutrient soil and its placement.
Very often at the initial stage of arranging a “house for fish” the question arises: what soil is best for an aquarium? Although later this loses its relevance and ceases to be actively discussed. However, as time passes, the mistakes made at the beginning make themselves known, and as a result, large-scale corrections begin.
The main purpose of our article will be the nuances of selection, preparation and placement of soil filler. In addition, important circumstances in this matter are decorating and cleaning the bottom of the aquarium.
Initially, it is worth noting that black soil for an aquarium is the most important part of its configuration. Together with elements such as backgrounds, lighting and additional decorative components, it gives a noticeable uniqueness to the location. At the same time, being a substrate, soil provides conditions for the existence of a whole complex of microorganisms and plants.
At the same time, the nutrient soil for the aquarium works as a primitive filtration mechanism. Microscopic suspensions settle in it, polluting the water, which significantly expands its functions.
Before buying the above-mentioned filler, it is worth deciding on your goals, as well as your general vision of the “underwater kingdom”. In addition, you need to navigate the key aspects of the choice.
Both a small aquarium and its large counterpart must be “decorated” with various colors. Usually the owners choose the decorations themselves. But, despite this, many experts are inclined to choose dark soil, which allows the contents of the aquarium to be clearly visible.
If we talk about the expected thickness of the layer, it depends on the parameters of the aquarium, as well as on the number of living and non-living objects. Therefore, the approach to deciding which soil is best to choose for an aquarium is strictly individual.
It is worth considering that for aquarium plants and fish the soil will make a significant difference. As mentioned above, representatives of the flora use it as a substrate for rooting and subsequent nutrition. Taking this into account, it should be not only a decorative component, but also a life-supporting one.
If you believe general rules when arranging aquariums, the soil should be fine- or medium-grained, taking into account the power of the root systems. For underdeveloped plants, you can use sand, and for highly developed plants, the coarse-grained fraction.
In addition, the nutritional value of the soil should also be considered, since for plants and fish the right aquarium is a place that allows them to receive nutrients. Peat, clay, and also special preparations purchased at pet stores are sometimes added to the soil.
Note! If you choose which soil is best for an aquarium, then when purchasing it you need to study the material from which it is made, and color scheme. The most the best option the aquarium will have a natural, unpainted coating.
It is also advisable to find out before purchasing it chemical composition and the origin of the soil. The presence of limestone will provoke the release of carbonate, which will significantly increase the hardness of the water. Its presence is indicated by the release of gas bubbles.
Since porosity is one of the most important characteristics of the substrate, fine sand with a particle size of less than 1 mm is unlikely to be useful. This is all due to the fact that metabolic processes in such a filler are disrupted due to rapid caking of the material. This, in turn, leads to rotting of plant roots.
In addition, the biological equilibrium that must “visit” the aquarium at home is very unstable. In this situation, even shellfish and fish that loosen the soil do not help.
Sand having a particle size of 2 to 4 mm will be an excellent and easily accessible substrate. Sufficient porosity affects metabolic processes, which remain intact for a long time.
This option is quite suitable for most plants that have both powerful and weak root system. In addition, it has increased permeability for newly formed roots.
One can also note the success of small pebbles, the particles of which vary from 4 to 8 mm. Its level of caking is much less than that of sand, but the formation of silt occurs very slowly. This type of soil is more suitable for large plants with a strong root system.
Large pebbles and gravel are more likely to decorate a small aquarium than a large one. In any case, the amount of such soil must be significant in order to at least somehow differ from the general background. In addition, pebbles and gravel are not used as an independent substrate.
It is worth noting that all of the above-mentioned natural soils are connected by a common origin - these are small particles of granite. Their widespread distribution argues for their accessibility to aquarium enthusiasts. Moreover, the color parameters of such soils range from light gray to red shades.
Among artificial substrates, expanded clay is considered the most common. It has excellent porosity and low weight, which makes it indispensable for fish breeding enthusiasts and gardeners. During plant replanting, this type of soil practically does not injure the root systems.
Along with the above advantages, the inner part of expanded clay is an anaerobic flora - oxygen-free microorganisms. They purify the water from numerous organic compounds that appear in the aquarium over time.
To determine how much soil you need in the aquarium, you should take into account its individual parameters. Among them, the size of the “fish house” is noted, as well as the content of living and non-living components.
If you have a 200 liter aquarium, then before laying the soil its bottom must be prepared. This is especially true for aquarium soil that is collected “outside”. Mandatory rinsing and boiling are the main procedures to prevent infection.
There is no need to boil a store-bought item, but it needs to be washed and doused with boiling water. The use of soap or other cleaning products is excluded here, since subsequently it will be very difficult to wash out chemical impurities from the soil. At the very least, it will take a lot of effort and time, which can be used for other useful activities.
These procedures are fundamental. If you have properly processed and prepared the soil for the aquarium, the price of it, even if it was significant, will subsequently no longer be of particular importance to you. It is worth noting that there is no need to wait for the future “rock bottom” to dry completely, since the wet state is natural for it.
The bottom layer should consist of gravel, which is enriched with laterite iron or clay. Its thickness should be from 3 to 5 cm and include fertilizer balls. In addition, there may be a mixture of trace elements that do not contain phosphates and nitrites, which are so destructive to plants and fish.
It is advisable to focus on iron in the soil mixture, which is present in chelated form. Otherwise, it will simply not be available for food to representatives of flora and fauna. In addition, iron sulfate, usually used to feed garden bushes, is not suitable, since it will significantly reduce the acidity of the water.
If used heating cables, then they are also stacked in this layer. They should not be located directly on the bottom, because uneven heating leads to cracking of the glass, and the aquarium at home can quickly deteriorate. In addition, sand and clay will be inappropriate in this case - they will also heat up unevenly.
The middle layer should contain soil with admixtures of peat, constituting 15-25% of the total volume of bottom soil. Its thickness can be no more than 2-3 cm, since an excess of peat-enriched soil can trigger the process of rotting. If there is a large amount of organic matter in the soil, then it can be supplemented with sand.
In addition, the middle layer can be filled with trace elements and clay balls. However, this requires careful preparation of the peat and soil. As a matter of fact, this rule applies to each layer.
The top layer should be fine gravel mixed with sand. About 5 cm of such soil prevents cloudiness of the water due to contact of peat with the ground. This is where aquarium stones are used, which can be purchased at the same pet store.
If the aquarium contains snails or fish that dig into the soil, then you need to grow plants in pots or increase the thickness of the top layer. This will prevent significant damage to their root systems.
It is worth noting that usually the soil in the aquarium is placed unevenly. Although it can be distributed in such a way that it looks like a slide that rises towards the back wall. This option of covering the bottom can visually give the aquarium volume and a more impressive appearance.
Most beginning aquarists lay out various designs from the soil. Since they gradually move under the influence of water, these compositions are short-lived. Of course it's not that scary, but general form the aquarium may still deteriorate.
The final procedures that will make a 200-liter aquarium impeccable will be installing decor, pouring water and planting plants. This needs to be taken care of in advance so as not to “slow down” the overall arrangement process.
For modern aquarium keeping, laying the soil alone will not be enough. After all, only a professionally designed aquarium can harmoniously fit into the interior and delight its observers indefinitely. Therefore, the more responsible the approach to decorating it, the more joy it will be able to bring to the people around it.
As mentioned above, for a full “entry” into the interior of the room, you need to choose the right not only the soil, but also the background with decorative elements.
The role of decoration is no less important than the representatives of flora and fauna filling the aquarium. If the answer to the question of which soil is best for an aquarium has already been stated earlier, then we need to talk about the design in more detail. This is explained by the fact that the decor will be able to disguise the equipment installed inside the aquarium.
After the main points regarding the quantity and quality of bottom soil have been resolved, we should move on to the question of how to siphon soil in an aquarium. Simply put, how to remove accumulated mud sediment from its bottom.
Of course, there are special devices called aquarium siphons, the analogues of which are ordinary hoses. They are elongated flasks and flexible tubes with a length of 1.6 to 2 m and a diameter of up to 2 cm. These components are connected through special holes, representing a hose with increased dimensions.
After installing the above-mentioned cleaning structure, it is immersed in the aquarium and begins its activity. Thanks to periodic air suction, water begins to pour out of the aquarium, and the most contaminated areas of the soil become clean. Some aquarists, when searching for an answer to the question of how to clean the soil in an aquarium, can use ordinary medical syringes.
While the siphon is moving from place to place, its outer end can be clamped, thereby preventing unnecessary loss of water. Modern options cleaning devices are already equipped with taps for adjusting the pressure, so they make it easier to “clean” the aquarium.
When cleaning, lower the end of the hose where dirt comes out below the water level of the aquarium itself. This must be done to prevent dirt from pouring back in.
In addition to the above-mentioned siphon option, there are other designs for cleaning. Most often these are electric pumps equipped with special fabric bags that filter water. However, here you need to take into account that aquarium stones can get there, so it is recommended to use them as carefully as possible.
The preference of a siphon over a conventional hose is further confirmed by the presence of “soil drilling” processes during cleaning. Although, on the other hand, dirt is much lighter than soil filler, and it should come out unhindered.
High-quality soil allows you to give the aquarium the appearance of a natural reservoir, creating a unique color background for its inhabitants. However, in addition to performing decorative functions, it maintains biological balance, determining the composition and properties of water. In addition, millions of microorganisms “work” in it, providing natural purification of the surrounding air.
