Aquariums are one of the most exciting ways to keep a vivarium. The idea of capturing a piece of the aquatic world will forever amaze me.
Aquaria gives us a front-row seat to the lifestyle of inhabitants far from our reach.
Rather than venturing far from our comfortable, dry realm, simply take a stroll through your living or bedroom.
Because of this, aquarium upkeep has been one of the most popular hobbies to spawn in the last 200 years. Today we will explore the very topic: aquariums!
Keep reading to learn what they are, when they were first created, and how to set up a few basic types of aquaria.
What Is an Aquarium?
An aquarium, also commonly referred to as “aquaria”, is a clear enclosure that houses aquatic animals and plants.
The prefix aqua is Latin for “water.” So, the word in itself translates to “water within a container”. The plural substitute for the word aquarium would be aquaria.
These types of vivaria are widely popular among enthusiasts of all ages. They are used for everything from home decor to educational observation.
The word “aquarium” can also be used to refer to a building that is set up with exhibits focused on aquatic plants and animals.
The History Of Aquariums
It is said that the very first aquariums were built by the Ancient Romans, around 100 BC. They would use marble boxes to keep fish like sea barbel.
In 50 AD, the Romans began using glass panes on one side of these marble boxes to have a better view of the aquatic inhabitants.
Fast forward to the 19th century. Shortly after inventing the terrarium, Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward proposed a similar concept except using only aquatic plants and animals.
The popularity of fishkeeping became mainstream throughout the 1850s, and the hobby spread throughout the UK soon after.
By 1853, the first official public aquarium opened for viewing at the London Zoo.
It wasn’t until 1854 that the official term for these enclosures was established. They were often referred to as aqua-vivariums or aquatic vivariums.
The word “Aquarium” was first used by an author named, Philip Henry Gosse, who coined the word in his book called The Aquarium: An Unveiling of the Wonders of the Deep Sea.
This rich history of innovation and exploration in aquarium design has paved the way for modern creations like the Bantamarium.
Building on centuries of evolution, the Bantamarium represents the next generation of vivariums, offering customizable and versatile setups that cater to both novice and experienced hobbyists.
Whether you’re interested in aquatic, terrestrial, or even mixed environments, the Bantamarium series provides the perfect balance of functionality and aesthetic appeal, continuing the tradition of bringing the wonders of the natural world into our homes.
Aquarium Vs Oceanarium: What’s the Difference?
When the term aquarium is used to describe a building and not an enclosure, the word oceanarium could be used to describe a particular type of aquarium.
An oceanarium is a large, park-like establishment that usually houses bigger marine mammals from the ocean.
Aquaria are usually indoors and oceanaria are usually outdoors.
Seaquarium is another name you might see commonly used to describe these types of parks.
Building an Aquarium
Putting an aquarium together is a pretty simple process.
Filtration, lighting & temperature are important factors that should be catered to during the initial setup.
Nailing these key features will be crucial to the survival of your enclosure regardless of what type of aquarium it is.
The Filtration System
The filtration system is the part of your vivarium that cleans the water.
Ordinarily, it consists of a water pump, a reservoir tank (or sump), and a barrier of some type to strain the water through.
Two important properties combine to make a proper aquatic filtration, the mechanical piece and the biological one.
The mechanical characteristic is usually the sponge part of the barrier that collects large debris and waste, helping to keep the tank visually clean.
The Biological part of the filtration process is a blend of absorbing minerals like the activated carbon found in the mechanical part of the filter and bacteria that live in the aquarium.
Bacteria help break down waste and keep nitrogen levels regulated. Live plants can also count towards the filtration system.
They, like bacteria, help mediate nitrification by consuming harmful nitrates and ammonia.
The Lighting System
The lighting system is made up of artificial lights used to visually light the aquarium. I prefer LED lighting to other artificial alternatives, but fluorescent lighting will work as well.
Lighting is important because it aids in the growth of plants by providing a source of energy for the plants to use when mediating nitrification.
In saltwater setups, coral depends on UV lighting to provide energy to the algae that live on it.
The Temperature Control
Temperature regulation is another important necessity for aquaria.
Depending on where the tank is located, you will need to have the ability to moderate and keep the water temperatures consistent in the vivarium.
Heaters work well for keeping the water warm and Chillers work well for keeping the water cool.
Water Circulation
Water circulation is more or less vital to some types of aquaria. The existing water pump, air stones, or circulation pumps are all simple ways to keep the water moving within the tank.
Some inhabitants may require a certain level of flow within the enclosure so take note of that when shopping for tank mates.
Even though stagnant water may benefit some plants like Lotuses or animals like the walking catfish, having pockets of non-flowing water can create dangerous areas of bad bacteria and algae.
Different Types Of Aquariums
Now that we have a better understanding of how your tank will function, let’s figure out what type of aquarium you will want to build.
In terms of “aquarium type”, I will break it down by the type of water you house in the enclosure.
There are three types of Aquatic tanks… Freshwater, Saltwater, and a mixture of the two make it Brackish.
Knowing the type of water you plan to establish is essential to the plants and animals you plan to house later.
Saltwater Tanks
Also known as Reef Aquariums, saltwater tanks are aquariums that consist of seawater and display marine animals.
As the name would suggest, These types of setups contain high amounts of salinity and higher pH levels than the other two tanks.
It’s not common to see plants in this type of enclosure. Coral is the usual substitute for these kinds of reef aquaria.
Saltwater aquaria are one of the most expensive and hardest to maintain. They require a complex filtration system that is often complimented with live rocks.
Lighting is important and usually runs in optimal amounts.
Depending on the type of coral and fish inhabiting this enclosure, the temperature may be warmer or cooler than room temperature.. Above all, it MUST remain consistent.
The water circulation will vary based on marine life but will more than likely be high to moderate.
Freshwater Tanks
These types of enclosures are my personal favorite. Also known as a Planted Aquarium, freshwater tanks display plants and animals that thrive in more neutral water.
You can find freshwater in ponds, creeks, and rivers. Having a more neutral pH level allows a wide variety of plants to thrive in this type of enclosure.
Freshwater aquaria can be one of the easiest tanks to maintain. They don’t require a complex filtration system.
They can thrive off of a variety of lighting setups. Depending on the inhabitants, the temperature can run at a wide range of options.
The water circulation will vary here as well but some freshwater animals prefer the stillness of stagnant water.
Furthermore, take advantage of the opportunity hardscapes provide these types of setups.
The hardscape is essential to every vivarium. It is the foundation of the tank and will regulate the overall ecosystem depending on the type of material it is.
This can either be composed of rock or wood. Even though the substrate will be put down into the enclosure first, the hardscape should be decided before any other elements are considered.
Learn more about the importance of hardscaping in this article if you need help choosing the right types of material for your specific build.
