Ever noticed how fish aquariums are permanent fixtures in a doctor’s waiting room, some restaurants and dentists? That’s because aquariums have been known to reduce stress and calm hyperactive children. Needless to say, both go hand in hand. In addition to this looking at an aquarium has also shown reduced blood pressure levels temporarily in adults.
Here we bring you an easy way to create your own aquarium for home use.
Choose your aquarium size
Depending on how much space is available and how many fish you plan to keep, choose an appropriate sized aquarium. But also remember, larger the aquarium, more will be its upkeep and maintenance. If you want it to be portable, keep it small. Remember, that water is heavy and once filled; the aquarium will weigh quite a bit.
Choosing the correct glass
There’s something called an annealed glass, also known as sheet glass, one of the toughest varieties available. It breaks into slivers and chunks, but is known for its superior strength. Refrain from using tempered glass as it is weaker. Toughened glass is also okay to use but only if annealed glass is not available.The thickness of the glass depends upon the length and breadth of the aquarium. Here is a general rule of thumb:
Aquarium Height / Sheet Thickness
1 to 12 inches (2.5 to 30.5 cm) / 1/4 inch
12–18 inches (30.5–45.7 cm) / 3/8 inch
18–24 inches (45.7–61.0 cm) / 1/2 inch
24–30 inches (61.0–76.2 cm) / 3⁄4 inch (1.9 cm)
Getting it together
Get silicone sealants, duct tape, caulking gun and a towel at the place of assembly. Arrange all the glass sides of the aquarium on the floor/table and mark them according to their which sides they belong.
Assembly of the aquarium
Assembling the aquarium takes a lot of expertise. It will help if you can get a helping hand who is skilled at carpentry. Else an assembly manual is your answer.
Common mistakes
Putting insufficient amount of water is a common mistake. Even if you have a small aquarium, have at least a gallon of water in there.
Avoid chlorinated water at all costs
Placing the aquarium in direct sunlight will result in formation of algae. Keep away from sunlight and in a temperature ranging from 73 to 82 Fahrenheit
Inadequate filtration can lead to muck. Program your filter to 3 times every hour.
Failing to monitor nitrogen cycles and ammonia levels. Introduce fish into a stable aquarium only
Too many fish can create confusion among themselves. Introduce 2 to 3 at a time and let them acclimatize before putting in more.
Over feeding fish is a big problem. Uneaten feed sinks to the bottom and invites bacteria. Feed only once a day
Choose peaceful fish that require similar water conditions. Once the aquarium is set, spend a few minutes with your new companions every day. Soon they will recognize you and wait for your company.
