Finding your own Nemo

Smitten by fish in that endearing movie ‘Finding Nemo’? You can have your own Nemo too. Having fish at home can be very therapeutic. Swati Kapur says it is not all that cumbersome to have an aquarium because it not only enhances decor, but brings much joy as well.

If you’ve ever walked into a house with an aquarium, you definitely would have stopped to stare at the fish. How about installing one in your home? It’s not cumbersome at all, enhances the decor and is a good feng shui element too. Start small, with a fish bowl perhaps

Fish as pets can be very therapeutic and help you get closer to nature. Add to this the fact that they do not make noise, do not have to be trained or walked around and don’t dirty the house. Also, they require a minimum amount of care.

New-age equipment to maintain the water bodies and the fish in it is easily accessible and even children can operate it. And to top it all, it’s a fun hobby to pursue.

In fact, there are aquariums that offer a 100 per cent natural environment and foliage ideally suited to the fish.

Shibanee Sagar, Director Total Environment Building Systems Pvt. Ltd., explains, “The bright colours, exotic appearance and constant movement of the fish appeals to most people, especially children. Studies have shown that gazing at fish in an aquarium can lower stress and blood pressure.”

Fish keeping can offer experiences and events that stimulate the learning process. Children and adults can get a sense of responsibility and accomplishment from setting up and maintaining an aquarium.

The dynamic underwater world will present changing situations where fish, plants, corals and invertebrates grow, mature and reproduce, providing a live demonstration of various life processes.

Aesthetics

Your living room can come alive with a fish tank or a colourful aquarium as an interesting design element. The water bodies with fish make for pleasing aesthetics that can add warmth and comfort to any residential or office decor.

“Decor-wise, an aquarium can also act as a screen between the bedroom and the bathroom,” says Shibanee Sagar. What a practical and beautiful solution to a design issue! Instead of a wall, you could install a wall-sized aquarium that can serve both aesthetic and practical purposes.

You can either have the conventional glass aquarium or opt for an acrylic one.
 “I have been using a glass aquarium for quite some time now and would any day prefer it to acrylic ones because of their resistance to scratching and much more accessible price,” says Sudha Kashyap from Delhi.

However, one cannot overlook their disadvantages. Glass can crack and is not as resistant as acrylic tanks. Glass aquaria are also heavier than acrylic ones. Insulation too is lower in glass ones which do not come in as many interesting shapes. But acrylic tends to fade out and can get a yellow tinge over time.

Even though cost is one of the main considerations for aquarists when deciding which of these two types of aquariums to purchase, when it comes to very large tanks, the price difference is not too much. So if you’re looking for a stronger, non-conventional shaped aquaria, acrylic is what you must opt for.

Laminated glass, which combines the advantages of both glass and acrylic, is also used. If you are opting for a large aquaria, then stronger materials such as fiberglass-reinforced plastics or reinforced concrete could also be an option to consider.

Maintenance

This will not take too much of your time or energy, so that’s a positive point. Depending on the kind of aquarium you choose, the maintenance will vary but still not be time consuming.

“A built-in filtration unit, CO2 cylinder for plants and an auto on/off switch for lights ensures that the unit is practically maintenance-free. Only daily feeding is required by the home owner.

“A fortnightly change of 20% of water and trimming of plants can also be easily done by home owner or through the supplier,” adds Shibanee.

Getting started

Here are a few elements that you will need to get your aquarium in place.

Air pumps: An essential part of an aquarium set-up, they help stabilise pH as well as provide necessary oxygen for respiration. Aquarium air pumps also help give your tank a more dynamic look when used with aquarium decorations and nice bubbling air stones.

Aquarium sets: Choosing aquariums for your fish is the first task at hand. Fish tanks should be chosen based on how much room you have available for your aquariums and how many fish you plan to keep.

Aquarium starter kits: If starting as a hobby, then look out for the starter kits which are easy to set up and include many of the accessories you will need. Choose from the fresh or saltwater kits in the market.

Backgrounds: Aquarium backgrounds create instant visual appeal, and create the illusion of more space in a smaller tank. They also hide equipment behind the tank and look great behind a curtain of shimmering bubbles or with contrasting decorations.

Calcium reactors: For the growth and health of a reef aquarium, a calcium reactor is required as it allows a correct dosage and administration of calcium solutions crucial to the growth and survival of invertebrates.

Chillers and heaters: Organisms can come from a warm or cold aquatic temperature. Depending on the variety you have in your pool, install a temperature controlling device.

Cleaning appliances: They help in effectively cleaning the tank and keeping the fishes healthy and happy.

CO2 equipment: Luxuriant plant growth depends on an abundance of carbon dioxide. CO2 systems with pressurized gas are a necessary feature in the tanks.

pH controllers and monitors: These help in monitoring and controlling the pH and ORP level of the aquarium system without any problem.

Dosing equipment: Aquarium dosing equipment is used to automatically minister the right amount of fish medications, vitamins and supplements, or other additives to the aquarium water.

Driftwood and decor: These are not just fun to look at but provide a stress buster to the fishes as well. An empty tank can cause stress and anxiety to the fishes. Fishes like to have some place to hide if anything should chase or threaten them.

Electronic timers and feeders: Proper lighting is necessary specially when you’re out of town and cannot adjust it manually. The machine ensures correct lighting cycles automatically and also feed the fish regularly.

Gravels, pebbles and sand: Decorate as per your liking but keep in mind the fish’s natural habitat as well before you add any colourful or artificial element.

Fish facts

The very first modern aquarium made of glass was developed in the19th century by Robert Warrington.

During the Victorian age, it was common for glass aquaria to have slate or steel bottoms, which allowed the aquaria to be heated underneath with an open flame heat source.

The aquaria in those days had the glass panels attached with metal frames and sealed with putty. These metal framed aquaria were still available on the market until the mid 1960s when the modern, silicone-sealed style replaced them.

Acrylic tanks were not generally available to the public until the 1970s.