Enliven your living room

BEAUTIFUL HOMES

There are many options for those who choose to keep living creatures to liven up their surroundings. A little time, lots of patience and care go a long way in getting the best of choices, writes A Dyuti

Who wouldn’t want to bring life into their living room? But, literally? Yes! How about getting living creatures to liven up your environs?! Wondering what your options are? Here’s a rudimentary list.

Let’s begin with vivarium. A “vivarium” is usually an enclosed area for keeping animals or raising plants for decoration or scientific research, simulating a portion of the species’ natural ecosystem. It can be small enough to sit on a table-top or large enough to be raised outdoors. Though at first glance, it appears to be merely an indoor garden, it’s actually a self-sustaining, miniature landscape made of living plants and even animals, a mini-ecosystem, a total biosphere — in fact, in a glass container. First choose the vivarium type. It could be an aquarium, terrarium, insectarium or paludarium.

For those who aspire for the company of fish as pets, an aquarium is the answer. It replicates the water habitat. But, make sure you can shower the attention and affection these creatures thrive on, besides time, energy and money too! Marine or saltwater aquaria are rather difficult for beginners, for the tank-water’s chemical levels have to be precisely maintained. They’re expensive too. Freshwater aquaria fish adapt more readily to your tap water’s pH level.

Proximity to electrical outlets and distance from doors/windows are determining factors for locating your tank. Prevent shocks by looping the electrical cords to direct leaking water towards the floor instead of the electrical outlet (“drip loops”). The stand you select should be sturdy enough to bear the tank’s weight.

Choose a suitable substrate, say, live-sand, crushed-coral, etc. with care. Go for decorations like real plants or silk or plastic ones and artificial caves and tunnels for the fish to frolic about. Fluorescent light tubes reduce algae growth, enhance fake plants’ durability and stimulate natural plant growth.

Equip with an aquarium heater and a thermometer to maintain warm and stable temperature. Every week, change 10-15 per cent of the tank’s water and scrape algae off the tank-walls. Check daily if your fish are fine. If your fish are dying, it’s time to sit up and take notice for they indicate overcrowding, overfeeding or infrequent water change.

Another vivarium form, “terrarium”, is a dry habitat like desert, grassland or woodland. Moisture in the terrarium evaporates from the soil and plant leaves, condensing on its roof and walls.

This condensed water slides down and re-moistens the soil. The moisture evaporates again and the cycle goes on, sustaining the plants. Once established, all a terrarium needs is a little indirect sunlight. Sogginess of the soil and wilting plants indicate problems.

Terrariums can be open (topless/devoid of side-walls too) or closed. A dish terrarium with a desert habitat is the most commonly recommended one for beginners. A closed terrarium harbours its own unique bio-system and has to be made with care, rendering it more challenging. An animal terrarium is rather a decorative dwelling for a pet turtle or a lizard. Micro-terrariums are small enough to fit into your palm!

Common plant choices include ones that don’t grow too tall, say, small ferns, mosses and ivies, succulents and cacti. Small animals that don’t fight with their co-inhabitants, don’t dig the soil or eat up the plants like crickets, lizards, tarantulas and tadpoles are best preferred. For the more adventurous — toads, hermit crabs, land snails and salamanders!

As for “insectariums”, the name is self-explanatory! Not everyone relishes the company of insects and arthropods like spiders, beetles, ants, bees, cockroaches and crickets!

So, go for it only if you’re into scientific research or of course, if you’re known for your idiosyncrasies! A “paludarium” is an interesting alternative with its combination of aquatic and terrestrial elements. Amphibians, fish and reptiles are the most common inhabitants of this vivarium type simulating a rainforest or swamp environment, though insects and birds have been welcome too! Plants vegetating humid or wetland areas are other denizens. A little waterfall is usually incorporated too.

Apart from vivariums, you could also go for an indoor “Koi” pond. Koi, the docile and human-friendly species of colourful fish can be your pets besides boosting your living room’s appearance! First, Koi being very sensitive fish, pond maintenance is quite rigorous. Plus, calculate the cost of filtration equipment, water-supply, drainage, electricity supply for pumps, heaters, lights and water-treatment devices. Can you spare the required time, patience, resources and energy? Next, is there adequate space within? 

Check the floor for weak spots before installing the pond. Provide for adequate halide lights to make up for the weakened sunlight infiltrating into the house. You’ll also require a dehumidifier to clear the surrounding walls and space of moisture. Often, Koi tend to jump out of the pond. So, provide for enough depth besides secure netting or a low fake glass wall around the pond.