A hundred-liter aquarium is often recommended for purchase by aquarists, especially if several species of underwater pets are to be populated. However, before buying a rather expensive design, you should study all its features.
Advantages and disadvantages
A 100-liter aquarium allows you to place many different types of inhabitants, since a large volume and the presence of full-fledged several layers is sufficient.
Moreover, fish, snails, and various plants can perfectly combine in one tank.
The relative drawback of the tank is its bulkiness. - the apartment will have to allocate a fairly large space in order not only to beautifully place the object, but also to provide free access to it.
Shape and size options
All aquariums are usually divided into several groups in accordance with the shape, which is also characteristic of 100-liter tanks. The first group includes classic rectangular and rather narrow containers. They are most popular due to their small size and the ability to watch underwater life. Panoramic aquariums are easy to confuse with conventional rectangular ones, but their characteristic feature is the presence of a curved front side. Thanks to this surface, viewing pets becomes much more convenient and enjoyable.
A cylindrical aquarium creates an even better view for aquarists, and spherical tanks become a complete decoration of any interior.
Wide rectangular containers are usually used to equip terrariums or insects.Finally, corner aquariums are divided into oval panoramic and straight. In addition to the unusual appearance, their advantages include the ability to fill the corner of the room and thereby leave a lot of free space in the room. Of course, you can order an aquarium of an unusual shape, but you will have to first find specialists in your field and pay a large sum.
The parameters of the 100-liter aquarium are determined by the shapebut a rectangular container, as a rule, has a length of 750 millimeters, a height of 450 millimeters, and a width of 300 millimeters. The optimum glass thickness is 6 millimeters. The average weight of the aquarium corresponds to 23 kilograms, although it happens, it weighs more and less.
How to choose?
To choose the most suitable aquarium for a specific situation, several important aspects must be considered. First of all, the purpose of the purchase is determined - whether only fish, insects or, for example, turtles will be kept in the tank. Some people buy aquariums of unusual shape just for decoration and have floral arrangements inside. Further, it is better to think about where to place the purchase. Since the 100-liter tank is distinguished by its outstanding size, the amount of free space determines the form of purchase. Next, the amount that can be spent for this purpose is calculated, and then the existing offers on the market are examined.
It is important to understand that the cost of aquariums with a volume of 100 liters is quite high. You can purchase a tank as a complete, and "naked". As a result, the price will range from 1.5 to 7 thousand rubles.
Some exclusive models cost up to 50 thousand rubles. The company producing the aquarium plays an important role. The more famous the company, the more money you have to pay.
The cost of a 100-liter aquarium can vary even depending on its shape. Rectangular containers are much easier to manufacture, so their prices are the lowest. Further, to increase the price tag, panoramic designs follow, and then angular models. The quality of the glass used and its thickness, as well as manufacturing technology affect the cost. The most expensive are considered aquariums made by the method of integral casting.
Where to install?
It is necessary to put the aquarium in such a way that it is naturally lit, but does not fall under direct rays. The place should be reliable and stable, but allowing calmly carry out general cleaning, change the water or feed the pets. A good place is the side opposite the window opening. It is successful if there is a socket nearby for connecting existing equipment: a filter, a heater, a compressor and the same lamp.
For safety, the level of outlets should be higher than the level of the aquarium itself, since water ingress threatens with burnt wiring.
Easy access to water is also a plus, as it greatly simplifies the process of changing the water. Do not place the tank near a TV or computer, as the fish react poorly to noise.
How to equip?
It is impossible to equip an aquarium without a high-quality internal filter, which costs about 1200 rubles. For reasons of economy, it can also be used for aeration, but it is much better to immediately get a compressor. Besides, a 100 liter tank will require high-quality lighting. For a classic rectangular aquarium, you need two 18 Watt T8 lamps. The lamp is designed using incandescent bulbs, halogen lamps, fluorescent or metal halide.
Each of the varieties has its pros and cons.
Light can also be reproduced thanks to LED lamps, but only as additional lighting or night illumination, since their power is quite small. The number of fixtures should be calculated correctly, taking into account the needs of not only fish, but mainly of plants developing in the tank. When choosing bulbs, it is important to monitor to what level water is collected so that there are no problems.
How many and what kind of fish can I keep?
The number of aquarium fish that can be placed in the tank depends on their species. Moreover, the exact figure is determined not only by the size of the creature, but also by its nature, as well as the degree of aggressiveness. For example, for 100 liters of water you can get 45 guppies or just one shark barbus. The possible number of pink zebrafish is 20 pieces in the same way as the number of cardinals. Goldfish in the aquarium can live only 2 pieces, but chocolate gourami can accommodate as many as 18 individuals. Betusha cocks will fit as many as 32 pieces, and a scalar can only live alone. In general, it is recommended to specify this information in the store where the inhabitants of the aquarium are purchased.
It is important to remember that the increased density of the inhabitants of the aquarium, on the one hand, reduces aggression, but, on the other hand, helps to slow down the development of fish and stop spawning.
In addition, numerous diseases are possible, as well as outbreaks of invasion. It is better to populate all the pets in a 100-liter aquarium at the same time, as new neighbors almost always suffer the aggression of old-timers at first. In addition, when choosing fish, it is important to consider not only their current size, but also the maximum dimensions that they can achieve. For about every centimeter of fish should be from 3 to 4 liters of water.
In a 100-liter aquarium, you can settle the inhabitants of all three layers of water - upper, middle and bottom. As a rule, at the top are creatures whose mouth is looking up, and in the middle layer there are fish whose mouth is directed along the midline of the body. Speckled catfish, the length of which does not exceed 6 centimeters, can be settled in the bottom layer. Moving fish is friendly and accustomed to living in a flock.
Equipping an aquarium for catfish, it is imperative to place enough shelter and plants so that the creatures have the opportunity to hide and take a break from their neighbors.
Another suitable animal is the golden catfish, which has similar characteristics, but is more thermophilic, as well as the catfish, ancistrus, whose size is already in the range of 12 to 15 centimeters. In the middle layer, experts recommend settling barbs, and several species. As an option, it can be a cherry barbus growing up to 5 centimeters in length. Giving preference to this species, it is important to understand that they are considered rather shy creatures that live in the pack. A minimum of 7 individuals with a predominant number of females should be housed in the aquarium, as well as to ensure that they do not have slow neighbors. The size of the body is about 5 centimeters. Another suitable variety is the five-lane barbus.
A little higher can live in gourams - both one and several species. The marble gourami is very calm and even slow. It should be lodged either with a pair, or with a flock of 5 to 7 individuals.
So that gourami do not eat small fish, they will have to settle only with creatures of the same size - 11 centimeters long. Gourami require both free spaces and floating plants for the construction of nests, as well as ground shelters. Pearl gourami are also suitable for an aquarium.
Guppies always show themselves well, especially since they are able to dwell in any layers of the aquarium. To begin with, it is better to choose the classic version, and then to acquire more capricious individuals. Guppies are not recommended to be populated with predators or creatures exhibiting aggression.
In general, these fish have a positive character and a 6-centimeter body size.
The choice of the inhabitants of the aquarium is carried out in such a way that there are matches on the requirements regarding the temperature of the water and its composition. Warm and cold-water fish cannot live together. Inhabitants with different temperaments should live in different layers of the tank. If we talk not only about fish, but also about snails, it makes sense to buy neretin in a 100-liter aquarium. Its size is only 2 centimeters, and algae is the main food source, which keeps all plants safe. The latter can be absolutely anything, but give preference to reasonably unpretentious ferns, salvia or hygrophile.
Overview of the aquarium at 100 liters in the video below.
