| While man dreams about the stars and other worlds, | | | | to depend on the plants in the aquarium if any, and |
| many tend to forget that there is actually a totally | | | | even then hopefully, they are not plastic. |
| different world here on earth in our oceans. The | | | | Keeping an aquarium or a mini aquarium is a |
| medium is different, the creatures are different and | | | | responsibility. The most essential component in |
| the ecosystem is also different. In maintaining an | | | | maintaining this ecosystem in a mini aquarium or even |
| aquarium, we are actually bringing this different world | | | | an aquarium tank of any size for that matter is the |
| into our living room, office, dormitory and yes even | | | | Bio-Filter. The bio-filter in addition to filtering larger |
| our cubicle. | | | | particulates and keeping the water relatively clear, |
| Mini aquariums are unique and are somewhat like the | | | | houses the bacteria that neutralises toxins like |
| bonsai of the aquarist world. They provide the | | | | ammonia which forms when faeces and uneaten |
| relaxing feeling of watching fishes swimming | | | | food decompose. This bio-filter and water should be |
| gracefully with an added Lilliputian effect. | | | | monitored at the early stages and toxins like |
| However, one wonders if being so small in size, they | | | | ammonia kept in check. However, once the nitrogen |
| are a healthy habitat for the fish? Well, if properly | | | | cycle is established (this is simply where poisonous |
| set up and well maintained and also if certain | | | | ammonia is broken down into non-poisonous |
| guidelines are followed, yes they can be. However big | | | | elements by naturally occurring bacteria), then |
| a tank will still ensure a very short and unpleasant life | | | | maintenance gets much easier. |
| for the fish if there is no maintenance. By its very | | | | In general, the larger the volume of water we are |
| definition, mini aquariums are mini, meaning small. So | | | | dealing with in an aquarium, the better as there will |
| then, it is only common sense that the fish that can | | | | be fewer concerns with environmental changes |
| be kept are obviously limited to the smaller sized | | | | occurring too rapidly. So then why a mini aquarium? |
| species like bettas and tetras. | | | | Well, the main advantage of a mini aquarium has to |
| Always bear in mind that an aquarium is an | | | | do with its size and as mentioned above, as long as |
| ecosystem and when the equilibrium of this | | | | the ecosystem is maintained, then they are just as |
| ecosystem is maintained, the fish can actually live a | | | | good as any big sized aquariums. |
| long and healthy life. Think of it as a biosphere for | | | | There is also a choice of going with fresh water fish |
| the fish. Oceans, lakes and even rivers very large and | | | | or marine fish. Marine fish do have some smaller sized |
| well developed ecosystems. The water supply is | | | | specie and tend to be much more colourful hence the |
| abundant and constantly refreshed by the rain and | | | | lure to choose marine over fresh water can often be |
| moving water currents. Food supply of vegetation, | | | | quite tempting. However, maintaining a salt water |
| krill and plankton is in plentiful supply. In comparison, | | | | aquarium has the added salt density factor to be |
| an aquarium holds only a few gallons of water that is | | | | maintained as well and this may not be wise for a |
| sometimes rarely if ever changed and food supply is | | | | newbie as the smaller volume of water again |
| limited to some flakes of food once or twice a day. | | | | contributes to greater fluctuation in the density |
| When that is not forthcoming, the poor fish will have | | | | parameters. |