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Basic Advice

Small Aquariums: A Great Entry-Level Option

Small Aquariums: A Great Entry-Level Option

There is nothing more impressive than a giant aquarium serving as a room divider, built into a wall or free-standing, to completely change the dynamic of a room.

There is nothing more impressive than a giant aquarium serving as a room divider, built into a wall or free-standing, to completely change the dynamic of a room. However, we all have budgets to work within and between the cost of a giant tank, the equipment needed to maintain it, and the ongoing service to keep it looking its best, a very large aquarium may not be in the plans for you. Today we want to discuss why, with aquariums, small really can be the new big.

While the term “less is more” may not translate exactly to aquariums, there are many options in both custom and mass produced aquarium kits with an eye toward design and functionality. In other words, better have a small aquarium than none at all.

Custom Smaller Tanks

Instead of one large 10 foot tank, consider 3 aquariums that are 2 feet long and with a foot between each. Imagine they all have one family of schooling fish in each tank, making each tank look independent, yet uniform with one another. One tank can be filled with Blue fish, one with Red, and one with Yellow.

These tanks could likely be all filtered by one universal filtration system, cutting down the cost of equipment and simplifying future service by maintaining one system instead of three. The price of three small tanks vs. one giant one alone will likely halve the cost of the project.

Cube and cylinder aquariums. The symmetry of a cube aquarium is striking to begin with, making the tank look more like a display case in a museum, rather than an aquarium at all. We can create an aquarium in any size – even a cube with a side of 2 feet will stand out. Now think of that cube as something we can walk around and view from all 360 degrees. Regardless of its size, it can become the focal point of the center of the room.

Mass Produced Aquarium Kits

Several manufacturers have stepped up their game in developing small or “desk top” aquarium kits. These aren’t the small tank you would find in junior’s science classroom with a noisy buzzing filter and yellow incandescent light, but well planned out systems with LED lighting and high tech filters. Moreover they are extremely stylish. Some examples are:

  • Fluval Edge Aquarium
  • BiOrb Aquariums
  • Nano or Bio Cube aquarium
  • Google search these for pics and product info

If you need an aquarium (or another aquarium!) in your life but are working with a limited budget, do not hesitate to contact us atinfo@bpaquarium.com about options that can make your money go as far as possible.

About Jon Wolf

Servicing Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana & Michigan, Blue Planet Aquarium Services has been the most trusted name in aquarium design, installation and maintenance since 1999. A company large enough to be dependable but small enough to still watch out for your best interests, Blue Planet is the only company to call if you are planning to install an aquarium or have one maintained.

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