Why do you need an aquarium?

An aquarium can be a living, dynamic environment that allows you to bring nature indoors, in addition to being a beautiful ornament for your home. Whether you’re mesmerized by the beautiful aquatic plants or the elegant fish movements, an aquarium provides a special opportunity to establish a connection with the natural world.

Many people find that having an aquarium makes them feel at ease and relaxed. Stress can be lessened and mental health can be enhanced by the tranquil atmosphere that can be created by the peaceful sound of running water and the gentle movements of fish. It’s a tiny bit of tranquility that makes any area feel like a peaceful haven.

An aquarium is a fascinating teaching tool in addition to its aesthetic and emotional benefits. Particularly for young children, observing fish interactions and learning about their needs can pique curiosity and instill a sense of responsibility. It’s an interactive approach to learn about biology, ecosystems, and the value of taking care of living things.

Reason Description
Relaxation An aquarium provides a soothing environment, helping to reduce stress and promote calmness.
Decoration An aquarium enhances the aesthetic appeal of your space, adding color and life to any room.
Educational Maintaining an aquarium teaches responsibility and provides insights into aquatic ecosystems.
Hobby It offers an engaging and rewarding hobby for those who enjoy caring for fish and plants.

Keeping an aquarium at home is about more than just maintaining fish—it’sabout bringing tranquility and beauty into your everyday existence by creating a living, breathing piece of nature. An aquarium can provide a distinctive decorative element to any space while also lowering stress and enhancing focus. As you take care of your fish and plants, it also provides an opportunity to learn about aquatic life and cultivate a sense of responsibility.

History of the aquarium

Humanity has been aware of ornamental fish farming for more than a millennium. Fish were kept by monks in ponds, fountains, and clay pots in China and Japan. Goldfish and koi carp were the first pets. The earliest fish breeders attempted to produce fish with the most beautiful fins and backs because they could only see the fish from above. This is how the familiar koi and goldfish with their veil tails, short bodies, and unique coloring first appeared.

The French naturalist Jeanne Villepreux-Power, who once questioned, "Does the argonaut octopus grow its own shell or does it occupy a ready-made one, like a hermit crab?" laid the groundwork for the practice of aquarium keeping. She created "a la Power" cages for her research, which allowed her to watch the lives of the marine inhabitants.

English artists took a particular liking to the scientific containers, and in 1841 aquariums with vibrantly colored fish and aquatic plants debuted.

The Moscow Zoo hosted an exhibition in 1878 where visitors saw containers containing 30 different species of fish, including several goldfish breeds, 12 species of invertebrates, and numerous species of plants.

In Russia, keeping aquariums has grown in popularity since 1900. Fish breeding is started by hobbyists who set up aquariums. There are public aquariums and different circles.

Glass sheets were first glued together and strengthened with metal frames to create aquariums. These days, silicone sealant is used to make these containers, or plexiglass is used to make entire vessels.

Why do you need an aquarium?

Thus, as you may have guessed, an aquarium is a closed ecosystem-containing container used to house a variety of aquatic plants and animals. Typically, it has a rectangular shape, holds water, and ranges in capacity from a few tons to ten liters.

Aquariums feature transparent walls that make it simple to view the underwater life.

The objective of an aquarium is interpreted differently by each owner. Some people just think it’s more fun to have more animals in the house; others want to replicate an underwater world at home, concentrating on the biotopes of actual rivers; still others dress their vessel like a beautiful garden, picking out details with care.

It should be noted that not all aquariums require fish to be kept in them. There are numerous instances where the container contains only plants but also contains invertebrate inhabitants, or none at all.

Fascinating fact: maintaining aquariums aids in the preservation of numerous species whose natural habitats are fast disappearing as a result of human impact. Some fish are no longer found in the wild, and home aquariums are frequently used to house and breed endangered animals.

The effect of an aquarium on health

The main benefit of having an aquarium in the house is psychological. It is beneficial to the human psyche to reflect for a few minutes on the placid inhabitants of the underwater world. This can help lower levels of stress, aggression, and anxiety. Some members of therapeutic groups report that they find it easier to relax and feel better after watching fish.

Putting together your own underwater scene sparks an interest in nature and helps the owner discover their creative side.

It is advised to put aquariums in the rooms of restless, hyperactive, and nervous kids. Fish tanks are therefore frequently found in kindergartens.

Children can benefit from aquariums just as much as they can from other pets because they encourage responsibility, curiosity, and a kind attitude toward the natural world.

An adolescent’s home aquarium can become a laboratory for numerous experiments, such as building a paludarium, designing hydroponic setups, raising fish, etc.

Periodically, the water in the containers evaporates, contributing to the air’s increased humidity—which, in moderation, is beneficial for the upper respiratory tract.

Hypoallergenic pets, such as aquarium inhabitants, are a good choice for people with asthma and allergies. Granted, allergies to dry fish food do occasionally arise, but in the present day, fish can be fed live or homemade food, which is far healthier for the fish themselves.

An exquisitely designed aquarium with stunning lighting can add style, brightness, and a natural, intriguing appearance to any space. It can also be used as a light source.

A person’s enthusiasm for an aquarium hobby frequently motivates them to interact with other aquarists. There are numerous exhibitions in our nation where guests can trade pets and experiences. Who knows, perhaps you’ll make new friends with them?

What happens in an aquarium

Within the aquarium ecosystem, processes that are invisible to the naked eye take place and life is continuously thriving.

Numerous bacteria grow on a variety of surfaces, feeding on organic matter to purify water. A restricted supply of nutrient medium and ciliates regulate their population size.

An excessive amount of organic matter in the aquarium causes bacteria to grow out of control, clouding the water. However, there’s no need to panic—the microorganisms’ population will return to normal as soon as they deplete the available nutrients.

Urea and nitrogen compounds, which are released by aquatic life forms during their life cycles, are two ways that organic matter gets into the water. Food scraps can also contain organic matter.

Urea is converted by bacteria into ammonia, which is then transformed by additional bacteria into nitrate (NO2), which is then transformed into nitrate (NO3), which is absorbed by plants and safe for aquatic life.

Large colonies of bacteria that can filter vast amounts of water find a home on porous surfaces. Foam sponges are utilized as a filter element because of this, and many microorganisms can survive in their depths.

This is where the carbon dioxide exchange that happens, which is normal for life on Earth. Bacteria and animals release carbon dioxide, which is then absorbed by plants and releases oxygen. However, in aquariums containing plants, you shouldn’t count on saving money on an aerator because the plants will begin to reabsorb the released oxygen at night when the lights are off.

Many owners are delighted by this invisible life activity because it’s fascinating to watch the oxygen bubbles that plants release, the new leaf that anubias has sprouted, and the surprising transparency of the water after the aquarium has been started.

Disadvantages of aquarium keeping

When investing in an aquarium, it’s wise to be aware of the following drawbacks of this thrilling hobby:

  1. Aquarium keeping is a very expensive hobby. First of all, you need an aquarium, lighting, a filter, a heater, and only then a fish.
  2. All equipment must be plugged into the network around the clock, so be prepared for slightly increased electricity bills.
  3. Aquarium pets are not the usual inhabitants of houses that we can pick up and pet at any time. Aquarium fish will not greet you from work with a cheerful bark, unless they start fussing around the front glass in search of food. To somehow interact with aquatic pets, you can accustom them to hand feeding, and some large species, such as representatives of American cichlids, can even let you pet them. Owners rarely become attached to small fish, so they can be easily replaced if they die.
  4. In home aquariums, there are often events that make potential aquarists give up – the water has become cloudy or bloomed, the plants have not taken root, an infection was brought in with a new fish or food, etc. . Such events prompt some to give away or throw the "jar" in the garage, while others strive to improve and learn new things.
  5. The purchase of large containers is often associated with risk – a leaky seam, improper installation, a crack – and all the contents spilled on the floor. You need to be prepared for such disasters: the aquarium must be constantly monitored, sometimes preventive work must be carried out, and some owners of excessively large containers even insure them against accidents.
  6. If you are buying an aquarium for a child, then before this event you need to have a conversation with him, in which you need to talk about the burden of responsibility and make sure that the young naturalist is serious. In any case, you need to be prepared for the fact that the maintenance of the underwater world can completely fall on your shoulders.

There were also horror stories in this case. Some people, who are particularly concerned with cleanliness, attempt to paint the aquarium in the role of a haven for dangerous microorganisms, which should only be approached practically in a sealed protective suit. Naturally, none of this is accurate.

More than just a style decision, adding an aquarium to your house allows you to create a peaceful, happy, living representation of nature. It may be very soothing to watch fish swim elegantly through the water; it can be a tranquil diversion from the stresses of everyday life. The calming ambiance produced by the soft hum of the filter, the vivid hues of the fish, and the verdant foliage of the aquatic plants can bring life to any space.

Taking care of an aquarium is a fulfilling experience as well. It instills in students the virtues of patience, accountability, and upholding a balanced environment. Being an aquarist is a hobby that never stops, regardless of experience level; there’s always something new to discover. As you watch your aquatic world flourish, the process of designing, assembling, and maintaining your aquarium can be rewarding and educational. It can also give you a strong sense of accomplishment.

Furthermore, having an aquarium can be a wonderful way to foster a connection with the natural world, particularly in urban settings where green spaces may be scarce. It provides an opportunity to witness and enjoy the magnificence of marine life up close, in the comfort of your own home. This relationship with nature can be motivating.

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Anton Popov

A professional aquarist with over 15 years of experience. Main specialization - marine aquariums and creating optimal conditions for keeping rare species of fish and corals. I am fond of aquascaping, actively participate in international competitions. I love to share knowledge and experience to help others create the beauty of the underwater world at home.

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