Among aquarium enthusiasts, a round aquarium is popular. It is easy to install, does not take up much space and effectively fits into any interior. But since living creatures live in the aquarium, you need to think about their proper maintenance and care. A round aquarium is distinguished by some specifics and requires the right approach.
Volume in liters
On the shelves of pet stores housed a wide range of aquariums, including round ones, of various sizes: from 5 to 40-50 or more liters. An aquarium of 5 liters round is essentially a large glass jar, which will become not a convenient dwelling, but a prison for fish. It is almost impossible to equip even with the minimum necessary equipment - a filter and a compressor. A five-liter capacity can be used unless for frying.
A round aquarium of 20 liters or more is already a suitable option for keeping fish. In this amount, you can install enough equipment, settle several fish and make their existence comfortable and as safe as possible for health.
Environmentally friendly habitat
Water in any aquarium should be clean, not contaminated with bacteria and harmful microorganisms, of moderate hardness, without chlorine and an excess of heavy metals, saturated with oxygen.
So that the water is soft and without harmful chlorine, it is defended in an open container (for example, in an enameled bucket or a large saucepan) for 1 day, then it is boiled, cooled to room temperature and poured into the aquarium. In the future, you can simply add distilled water to the aquarium.
You need to plant healthy algae in the aquarium. Elodea algae fight well with a harmful excess of heavy metals. Especially intensively they accumulate zinc. Vallisneria well cleans water from rust.
What and how to equip
To keep the water clean, a compact gravel bottom filter is placed in a round aquarium. The principle of operation of such a filter: the pump drives a layer of water through it, the dirt is retained by gravel - filtering material. A logical pattern - the larger the volume of the aquarium, the more powerful the pump should be, the more expensive the filter. A filter with a minimally powerful pump is suitable for a volume of 10 l. If you are greedy and do not install a filter, you will have to change the water every day, which is very stressful for the fish and will eventually destroy them.
In a round aquarium, the surface area is relatively small, which leads to oxygen deficiency. A special compressor will fill the water with vital air. You need to buy with the marking "for round aquariums." The selection principle is the same as for filters - the larger the volume of the aquarium, the more powerful and more expensive the compressor. For a capacity of 20-40 liters, a compressor with a minimum power is suitable.
Lighting is necessary not only for fish, but also for green algae. Thanks to the light , photosynthesis takes place in their leaves , which enriches the water with oxygen. It is better to place the lamp on top, not flush with the glass, so that it does not burst. It is best to use ordinary incandescent lamps, as their spectrum is as close as possible to the sun. In this case, the optimal brightness is set at the rate of 1-2 watts per 1 liter of water. It is advisable to buy round aquariums with backlight in the kit.
Everything is not so complicated, and even a novice lover can competently equip a round aquarium.
Aquarium decoration
To make the aquarium resemble the underwater world, all installed equipment must be masked:
- lay on the bottom soil with a height of 4-5 cm, which will cover the filter. For soil in a round aquarium, it is better to use gravel or small dark pebbles;
- plant 2-3 live plants in the ground;
- lower the gut from the aerator (compressor) into a bamboo hollow tube, from which air bubbles will beautifully float;
- unfortunately, the limited bottom area will not allow decorating a round aquarium with ship fragments or castle ruins. But here any house or a shell will quite fit. This is aesthetically pleasing, and the fish in the shelter feel protected.
What fish are suitable for keeping in a round aquarium
The round shape restricts the movement of fish, in addition, the specific refraction of light creates the effect of a lens. All this negatively affects the health of the fish. Nervous, weak individuals cannot survive in such harsh conditions. Therefore, in order for the round aquarium to please the eye, you need to carefully approach the issue of choosing guests.
It is necessary to populate a round aquarium with small, non-regular fish in a limited number. Overpopulation will immediately affect the health of residents. Males, laliuses, catfish (they are also useful because they clean the walls of the aquarium), guppies, goldfish, small gourami, ancistruses, swordsmen, pecilia, molynezia, neon, freshwater shrimp and decorative snails take root well in a round aquarium.
It is better to feed the fish in a round aquarium with dry food in small portions so that the fish eat it immediately without residue. Otherwise, excess feed will caking on the bottom and pollute the water.