Benefits of table top Aquarium and its maintenance

 

Benefits of table top Aquarium and its maintenance

Dr.N.K.Manoharan 

A table top aquarium is perfect for anyone looking for a compact, low-maintenance way to bring the serenity of nature indoors.   Maintaining a table top aquarium can be a rewarding experience, and it can make a great addition to your home. Keeping an aquarium like this inside the house is not only beautiful to look at, but also has many benefits. Before going to that, it is good to know the history of public aquariums.  It begins in the middle of the 19th century. In 1853, a public aquarium known as the Fish House was opened at the London Zoo. These early aquariums were small and concentrated on local freshwater fish due to the difficulty of maintaining seawater tanks. With the advancement of marine science and technology, larger and more complex aquariums were developed, such as those in New York (1896) and Berlin (1913), which were the first to house exotic marine life from around the world. Over time, aquariums have evolved into complex and immersive environments that can replicate the marine ecosystem, displaying a wide variety of species including corals, sharks, and large mammals. In this video, we look at how these commonplace aquariums are kept beautifully, and what the benefits are for us. Aquariums can reduce stress and calm the mind. Some studies suggest that watching fish swim and watch the gentle movement of water can reduce stress and anxiety, calm down, and lower blood pressure. Unlike large aquariums, table top aquariums can easily be placed on top of desks, countertops, or small tables, making them ideal for apartments, offices, and bedrooms. 

        Smaller aquariums require less water, less filtration, and fewer fish, making it a good choice for beginners because it's easy to maintain. It is beneficial to have an aquarium near the workplaces or study rooms. Watching fish has been shown to increase focus and concentration, and can serve as a short break from screens and tasks. Table top aquariums can add a natural decorative touch to any room. Many are designed to be visually appealing, and with the right lighting and plants, there's no doubt that they can look great. These small aquariums teach children about fish and aquatic ecosystems, as well as develop a sense of responsibility through fish care. Although table top aquariums are small, they can provide a slight increase in humidity, which can be beneficial in dry environments. It will help to breathe and freshen your rooms. Table top aquariums are versatile and can be easily moved to different locations. They come in different styles, shapes and sizes and you can choose the one that suits your rooms or space. Overall, these table top aquariums give us all the benefits and pleasure of a full-sized aquarium, but are more manageable and best suited for compact spaces. Traditional aquariums were simple tanks with fish, but modern aquariums increasingly include displays of realistic ecosystems that mimic natural ecosystems. The development of curved acrylic panels, powerful filtration systems, and lighting innovations help aquariums create immersive, natural environments.

In the mid-twentieth century, aquariums began to shift from pure entertainment to education and conservation. Many modern aquariums are now research centres focused on preserving marine life and their habitats. It can be considered as a hobby or a science that caters to breeding programs, rehabilitation of endangered species, and public education about environmental issues, especially plastic pollution and climate change.

With advances in virtual and augmented reality, aquariums are beginning to incorporate interactive digital displays that enhance the learning experience. Some already offer virtual reality experiences, where visitors can "dive" in coral reefs or swim with virtual sea creatures. It doesn't stop there, aquariums of the future are likely to focus on sustainability.  Use energy-efficient designs, reduce plastic use and aim for zero waste. Closed loop systems for water and more natural treatment systems are expected to reduce environmental impact. Using augmented reality and virtual reality technologies, such aquariums may offer visitors the opportunity to study environments that cannot be physically recreated in tanks, such as deep-sea or polar ecosystems. Ethical concerns and terminology aside, it wouldn't be surprising if fully digital or even holographic aquariums that don't house live animals come in the near future. It's coming.

Aquariums of the future will play a more active role in conservation, with some evolving into breeding and rehabilitation centres for endangered marine species such as coral reefs and sea turtles. This shift could make aquariums valuable allies in fighting the biodiversity crisis, and potentially serve as a model for conservation-oriented aquariums. From monitoring tank conditions to ensuring optimal health, artificial intelligence-based technology can improve animal husbandry. Autonomous robots may help in areas such as tank maintenance, species conservation, and observing animal behavior for research. As aquariums evolve, they may move away from traditional models and adopt digital and educational conservation-focused approaches. This new direction can redefine the role of aquariums as protectors of marine ecosystems, and there is no doubt that such aquariums will become one with a mission to inspire and educate, integrating technology and sustainability. There are a few things to keep in mind to keep a table top aquarium healthy and attractive, starting with choosing the right size and aquarium equipment for your room. That is, an aquarium with a capacity of about five to twenty gallons of water would be ideal for a table top, small tanks are difficult to maintain due to fluctuations in water parameters, so larger if possible. Be careful to choose the aquarium itself. The next thing to consider is the filtration of the water in the tank, for that choose a filter that is suitable for the size of your tank. A sponge filter, small HOB or hang-on back filter is preferable. Similarly, if you want to keep tropical fish, a heater is essential to maintain a constant temperature, usually around 75 degrees Fahrenheit to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Heaters are better. Lighting should be chosen based on the type of plants and fish. LED lights are energy efficient and provide enough light for plants and fish. Check the ammonia, nitrate and pH levels of the tank water weekly. Aquarium test kits are widely available and are essential for monitoring. Change the water approximately twenty to twenty-five percent weekly. Use a gravel siphon to clean debris and uneaten food from the bottom. Always use a water conditioner to remove chlorine and chloramines from tap water before adding it to the tank. Monitor the tank temperature daily, especially if there are sudden weather changes. Only feed the fish what they can eat within two to three minutes. Overfeeding can lead to waste accumulation, which can cause water quality problems. Feed a variety of foods for better nutrition and fish health. Likewise, low-maintenance plants such as Java moss, Anubias, and Java fern are good for small tanks. Trim the plants regularly to purify them by absorbing nitrates, prevent them from overgrowing and maintain an attractive appearance. Use an algae scrubber to clean the aquarium glass weekly. Harsh chemicals or soaps should be avoided as they can harm the fish. Add some algae-eating snails or shrimp if that suits your fish. Regular water changes and limiting light exposure to six to eight hours of exposure per day reduce algae growth. Another important thing is to constantly monitor the fish for unusual behavior or physical changes such as fins, lethargy, or spots, but to prevent disease, it is important to quarantine new fish for two weeks in a separate tank before adding them to your main tank. Keep the aquarium on a stable surface away from direct sunlight, drafts and sudden temperature changes. A surge protector should be used for electrical components in your aquarium such as filters, heaters, lights, etc. to protect against power fluctuations. . Maintaining a regular schedule of checking, cleaning and monitoring the tank will keep your tabletop aquarium looking its best and ensure a healthy environment for your fish and plants. That's all I'm sharing with you today. If you have any doubts about the things mentioned in the video, you can ask in the comments, if I know something, I will definitely answer.