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Those in the know wanting to make a splash in their home are pouncing on the latest trend: aquascaping.
Forget the staid fishbowls of yesteryear with a few guppies listlessly swimming around some tacky knick knacks. Today's aquariums are underwater works of art that can reflect any number of aquatic themes, and can add serious flair to your home decor.
The kind of aquatic environment you can create largely depends mainly on your personal taste, budget, living space and imagination.
"Some spend $200 on a small six-gallon tank, while others treat it as a lifestyle investment and shell out up to $65,000 on a 1,400-gallon tank," says Kevin Reid, manager of Aqua Scape Design and Aquarium, Toronto's largest such installation and maintenance company.
For the average consumer with a semi-liberal budget, Reid offers the lowdown on what aspiring aquascapists need to know to create their dream aquarium.
Tanks
A middle-of-the-road tank, in terms of size and cost, Reid says, is a 90-gallon tank that's 48-in long by 18-in. wide by 24-in. high, and starts at about $1,000.
Tanks are typically made of either glass or acrylic, with glass being the most affordable when it comes to small- and medium-sized tanks.
"Glass is the most popular choice because it is significantly less expensive," Reid says. "However, for larger sizes, you need a thicker tank to accommodate the weight of the water, and thick glass can be pricey. This is where acrylic becomes more cost-effective."
For a 90-gallon glass tank, ensure the glass is at least half an inch thick.
Filtration
Every aquarium needs an adequate filtration system to clean the water and keep it flowing. Many types and brands are available, but Reid says Eheim is the most reliable brand, requires the least maintenance, and works in both freshwater and saltwater tanks. Eheim filters for 90-gallon tanks start at about $300.
One thing to consider before purchasing is the maximum gallonage a filtration system can accommodate, but Reid says often manufacturers inflate these numbers. For a 90-gallon tank, he advises choosing a 180-gallon filter, just to be safe.
Lighting
Every tank needs lighting, both to display your beautiful creatures and handicraft, and in some cases, to sustain live organisms.
Fluorescent lighting is the standard for freshwater tanks, with intensities ranging from Normal Output, or NO (30 to 40 watts), to High Output, or HO (55 watts), to Very High Output, or VHO (110 watts).
Fish-only tanks require minimal fluorescent light, while tanks with plant life and/or reef require the much stronger rays emitted by metal halide lighting, which reaches up to 400 watts.
Lighting will cost you between $130 for a basic, two-bulb NO fixture to up to $1,000 for a three-bulb, 400-watt metal halide fixture. Talk to your aquarium installer about the most suitable lighting for your aquarium.
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Community Tanks:
Also called tropical warm water tanks, community tanks are popular because of the bright, vivid colours of their tenants. Popular tropical fish include angels, neon tetras, mollies and platys. They last from one to five years and range from $2 to $12 each.
When selecting your fish, Reid strongly advises dealing with a reputable local supplier to ensure all your fish will get along.
"The two cardinal sins most people commit is purchasing unhealthy fish, and mixing ones that just don't mix," Reid says. "If they're not compatible, you'll get fish eating other fish.
"Likewise, if one's not healthy, it could spread it to the others. If you've bought from different suppliers, you have no recourse because you don't know which supplier gave you the sick fish."
Aqua Scape (aquascape design.ca) sells its own livestock, and Reid also points to Big Al's and Wal-Mart as reputable dealers that carry quality stock.
Most tropical fish come from South America and Australasia and are used to warm climates, so you'll nee to invest in submersible heaters and keep the tank at about 26*C. The same applies to all freshwater tanks, except coldwater tanks (see below). Submersible heaters cost about $35 each.
You may decorate your community tank, in many ways - with sunken treasure ships and other accessories, or by creating a natural setting. For the latter, hornwort, anubias, Amazon sword and crypto are the most common group of live freshwater plants. Artificial plants are also available, and cut down on maintenance. Reid advises budgeting at least $200 for decorations for a 90-gallon tank.
Live Plant:
Live plant tanks are essentially aquarium gardens mostly made up of the plants listed above, with very few fish. Reid says to expect to invest $300 to $400 on plant life.
Filtration costs for this tank decrease significantly, as the live plants are effective filters on their own. However, lighting expenses tend to double, since plants need extra rays to survive.
Creating your underwater garden requires creativity and organization, and Reid and his team help clients with their aquascape design. He also advises joining a local aquarium society to learn about plant life and to score deals at plant auctions.
African Chiclids:
Hailing from the lakes of East Africa, African chiclids come in a multitude of vibrant colours, and don't play well with others - which is why they get their very own tank.
They thrive in rocky environments, so stock your tank with a layer of crushed coral gravel. Avoid introducing plant life, as these feisty fish enjoy tearing them up for fun.
They cost $8 to $50 per fish and tend to survive only one or two years, but their robust mating habits mean they will sustain their population well.
Cold Water:
This is the ideal tank for goldfish fans, and like chiclids, they get their own tank because of their cold-water preference.
Goldfish are messy little buggers - they poop a lot and tend to attract parasites - so you'll need to invest in high-quality filtration. However, lighting costs are minimal - low-wattage fluorescent lights will do. You'll also save money by not requiring a heater.
Goldfish cost about $2 to $100 each and on average live for about five to 10 years.
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Saltwater Tanks:
The most common inhabitants of these tanks include damsels, tangs, angels, butterflies, gobies and shrimp. Compatibility issues may arise here, so ask your supplier about what species you can and can't mix. Saltwater fish typical live one to eight years, and cost about $8 to $40.
Saltwater tanks require stronger filtration, and submersible heaters - again, aim for 26*C water temperature - but you'll save money on the minimal fluorescent required.
Reef Tanks:
Reef tanks are the hottest choice these days because it allows people to create a living reminder of a fun experience.
"Most people who choose these tanks want a piece of the Caribbean or Fiji that they saw on vacation," Reid says.
The two above locations, along with Tonga and Indonesia, are where most coral come from. Mushrooms, colts and button polyps are among the most popular types of coral, and start at about $55 a piece.
You'll need to invest in extra filtration for your reef tank, as well as strong VHO or metal halide lighting to keep the coral thriving.
"Live coral is photosynthetic in nature, so the intensity of light determines whether the coral gets enough food to stay alive," Reid says.
Reef tanks also require a layer of live rock, which acts as a natural biofiltration system. Live rock costs about $8 per pound, and the golden rule, Reid says, is to add one pound of live rock for every gallon of water in your tank.
The best saltwater fish for your reef tank include tangs, gobies, blennies and damsels. Avoid fish such as angels, and butterflies, Reid says, because they love munching on coral.
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No matter what kind of tank you choose, keep it in top form by regularly changing the filter - once a week for some, every six months for the Eheim brand - and partially cleaning the water. Also, wipe down the outer surfaces of your tank with a wash cloth.
You'll also need to feed your fish once a day with either dried flakes or frozen fish food. For the forgetful, some aquarium shops sell autofeeders that administer dried food on a set schedule.
Cabinetry
"Aquariums weigh 10 lbs per gallon, which means that most home furniture is not built to take that kind of load," Reid says.
Cabinets for 90-gallon tanks range from about $300 for simple designs to $3,000 for more sophisticated pieces of furniture. Ensure your cabinet has sufficient storage space to store your filtration and lighting media, food, cleaning supplies, etc.
Final thoughts
Choose independent local retailers for your supplies, as they are usually more knowledgeable than chain stores and generally provide better service, Reid says.
"Setting up a proper aquarium can be a considerable expense, and you'll need ongoing support and supplies from your retailer, so you should deal with someone your comfortable with."
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Sharon Aschaiek is a freelance writer and writes about home decor, gardening and lifestyle trends. She can be reached at sharon@summitmediagroup.com