Aquariums 10 l: varieties, selection, equipment and maintenance

When choosing an aquarium, it is not necessary to give preference to the largest and most expensive models. Small tanks of only 10 liters can also look beautiful, and they won’t take up much space. Such aquariums are often chosen by those who are engaged in breeding fish or for the first time decided to try themselves in aquarium.

Aquarium tanks have a number of pluses and minuses, which will be useful for those who decide to purchase a similar design. Let's start with the positives.

• 10 liter containers are a great starting point. It is no secret that the maintenance and servicing of large tanks requires experience and skills, and the troubles that happen to them affect their financial condition. In a small aquarium, things are much easier to fix.
• Ten-liter containers are very compact, they will be ideal for small apartments, in addition, it is convenient to spawn some types of fish in them.
• Such aquariums can be moved from place to place, which is convenient for beginner aquarists, only learn from their mistakes. With a capacity of 100 liters, this trick will not work.
• Caring for a small aquarium is much easier than maintaining a spacious tank with different fish.

Nevertheless, such a solution also has drawbacks.

• The size, which many consider a plus, for some will be the negative side of the issue. Indeed, in such aquariums it is impossible to place a lot of fish, and not all varieties are suitable for keeping. Placing plants can also cause problems.
• If the aquarium is round, then cleaning it will cause a lot of inconvenience.The filter in such containers becomes dirty faster than in large tanks, and therefore frequent replacement of water leads to stress of the inhabitants of such a home.
• The last drawback also applies to round containers. This shape distorts the sun's rays, and it may seem to the fish that something is moving on the walls. It scares them, makes them nervous.

Aquariums of 10 liters can be of various types. We list the main models of such containers.

• Round. These are common, classic products in which a goldfish is immediately presented. They are made of silicate glass, the standard size in diameter is 29 cm, most often 24 cm in height.

• Rectangular Most often, modern nano-aquariums equipped with many interesting functions are produced in this form. The size of such aquariums is 20x20x25 cm, deviations can sometimes occur. Also, rectangular models are equipped with a cover.

• Square. Such products are just as convenient and popular as rectangular ones; they can easily be put on a cabinet shelf or office desk. They look very stylish, the parameters are mainly 20.5x21.5x23 cm.

In addition, the description of the varieties will be incomplete unless you specify the materials from which the aquariums are made.

• All-glass. These are very beautiful, but incredibly fragile products that you need to take care of very carefully. All-glass tanks should stand on a perfectly flat place, since they will move out or completely fall on the curve area, which will cause the death of underwater inhabitants.

• Wireframe. These are already stronger structures, however, not without certain drawbacks. The frame is made of metal, which means that when interacting with water it can rust. To avoid poisoning pets, buy aquariums with a stainless steel frame, and also use special cleaning products.

• Acrylic Acrylic, which is organic glass, allows you to create beautiful in appearance tanks. The only drawback is that the glass may become clouded and scratches appear on it. But this can only happen after a few years of regular use.

Everyone buys an aquarium for a specific purpose. As a rule, two goals can be distinguished here:

• a tank suitable specifically for fish; shape and features do not matter;
• a container designed to decorate the interior and emphasize the taste of the owner.

In the first case, you must immediately pay attention to the material of manufacture. Of course, it is best to purchase acrylic designs, because silicate glass breaks easily. In addition, the thickness of the glass walls should not be too small, especially in models with silicate glass.

If you buy an aquarium more as a decoration, and the variety of fish are in second place, then here the form, on the contrary, will be very important. Round aquariums are perfect for both classic and modern designs. In the latter they will smooth the sharp corners of the room, give it comfort. Shapes such as square or rectangle are chosen exclusively for modern interiors.

In addition to choosing the aquarium itself, think about purchasing various accessories as well as buying beautiful soil and exquisite plants. You can optionally purchase colored lights.

Due to the size of the small aquarium in your apartment or house, there are many places where you can put it. Consider some helpful tips.

• The surface on which the tank will stand must be strong enough to support a weight of 10 liters. It can be, for example, a table or a stable shelf.
• Since the temperature in such a small tank is more difficult to control, you need to choose an area that will be located away from heating appliances, as well as drafts. If this is not done, temperature differences that are unacceptable for fish will begin.
• Aquarium cannot stand in direct sunlight, as well as in places where it is too noisy. All this will provoke stress and illness of pets.
• The tank must be in the public domain. It should be easy for you to approach him for feeding and care. In addition, professional aquarists recommend placing the container at eye level, which causes psychological comfort. However, if there are agile pets or babies in the house, the aquarium should be placed where they cannot reach it.

A beautiful aquarium of 10 liters must certainly have the right equipment, because the health of small inhabitants will depend on the quality of its components. There are only three main components: a heater, a compressor and a filter, and we will talk about each of them separately.

It may seem to many that a heater is an absolutely unnecessary thing, because the aquarium is constantly located in an apartment where it is warm and good. But this is relevant only in the summer period and only if all conditions are met, for example, installation in a place, where there are no drafts. In addition, even in summer, many hosts include air conditioning, setting them at 18-20 degrees. Therefore, you still have to purchase a heater, even for unforeseen situations. Small models fit able to regulate water temperature well.

A compressor is equipment that supplies the aquarium with extra oxygen. In 10 liter containers, it is simply necessary, since such a small area cannot be populated by a sufficient number of plants. The device is mounted on the lid of the tank or on the back of the wall, and a tube is inserted into the aquarium itself, which supplies oxygen to the water.

The problem with most filters is that they are too bulky, and therefore create strong streams of water that are unacceptable for some fish. But on sale there are quite compact models. Their power should be very small so as not to unnerve the fish. The filter is mounted on the wall, it should not touch the bottom, and its tube goes outside, letting in air.

The filter must be turned on for no more than a couple of hours, otherwise the dirt from the water will flow back into the aquarium. Also, if you need to clean the tank or catch fish, the filter must be turned off.

Keeping an aquarium of 10 liters is easy; most importantly, observe the measure in the scenery. Many aquarists do not lay the soil at all and do not plant plants, ennobling the bottom with a small amount of moss. Such an aquarium is perfect for minimalist apartments. But if this option seems boring, you can pick up several medium-sized plants. For example, it can be echinodorus, elodea, geteranta and others.

As for the soil, then here it is better to take coarse-grained compositions, fine soil will constantly agitate. Fine pebbles, in a chaotic order located at the bottom, will be an excellent solution. You can decorate it with several larger stones.

In order for the aquarium to please the eye and fulfill its original function, it certainly needs to be populated. Here, of course, not all types of fish are suitable.

The best options:

• guppies;
• neons
• cockerels;
• danio rerio;
• catfish;
• cardinals;
• small barbs;
• microassortments.

The number of fish is taken into account based on their size and schooling preferences. For example, neonchiki, zebrafish, or microsports love to live with relatives, so you need to buy them immediately in a pack, 5-7 fish each. For each individual, no more than a liter of water is needed, and the volume of the aquarium is quite enough. The cockerels can be brought together (female and male), since each of them will need about 5 liters. For a guppy or cardinal you need 3 to 4 liters each.

In addition, 10 liter aquariums can be used not only to start fish. They are just as good for shrimp, shellfish, frogs. Of the shrimp, it is best to buy cherry or crystal, and as for snails, ampoule, helena, and neretin are perfect.

Next, see a review of a small 10 liter aquarium.