Undoubtedly, an aquarium with fish swimming in it is an extremely beautiful design element, popular in almost all countries of the world. However, before installing an aquarium at home or in a cafe, restaurant and bar, you need to understand the principles of life in this microcosm. This and the air-lift filters necessary to maintain the internal cycle of the aquarium will be discussed later in the article.
History of aquariums
For the first time aquarium research and the breeding of beautiful fish for decorative purposes originated in China as far back as the 6th-7th centuries AD. Then the fish were kept in opaque vases and you could admire them only from above, through the thickness of the water. Since then, a lot of time has passed, aquariums have spread around the world and come to what we see now - to glass aquariums with filters and decorative elements.
Modern aquariums exist in any of the most bizarre forms, and the living conditions of the fish in them are as comfortable as possible and close to real ones. But how is this achieved in a confined space where there are almost no external influences?
Nitrogen cycle in closed aquarium systems
As in any closed system, in aquariums there is a constant conversion of some organic substances to others. In addition to the carbon dioxide produced by the breathing of any living creatures, nitrogen also accumulates in them. It arises from the fact that all the inhabitants of the aquarium in the process of their life emit ammonia. This ammonia then provokes the growth of bacteria, which process it into less toxic compounds - into safe nitrites.
Another colony of bacteria that appeared due to nitrites, in turn, processes nitrites into nitrates, which later serve as fertilizer for plants and algae, and they, in turn, can become food for fish and other inhabitants of the aquarium. Thus, the cycle closes. Despite the apparent simplicity, this is a rather complicated process, and periodically such cycles can go astray, so the condition of the water in the aquarium should always be monitored.
Nitrogen cycle in new aquariums
You should be aware that the formation of such a cycle is not an instant process, and in new aquariums it occurs only in a certain amount of time. At first, during the first few days of the system’s operation, an increased ammonia content appears in it, since the colonies of bacteria that will process it have not yet formed. At this time, the water becomes cloudy and it has a characteristic smell. This condition of the aquarium is harmful to all its inhabitants.
In the next few weeks, bacteria that process ammonia grow and the aquarium is filled with nitrites. The smell of water acquires normal values, but nitrites are also harmful to any aquatic inhabitants. And only a month later, the nitrogen cycle returns to normal when a colony of bacteria that processes nitrates occurs. It is at this moment that it is recommended to populate the fish.
However, depending on their type, they can be populated earlier, provided that part of the water is constantly changed in the first few weeks, but you should consult with specialists when purchasing this. Both ammonia and nitrites are life threatening to fish. It is necessary to monitor their condition and activity. Sluggish movements of fish can signal their poisoning.
In the first weeks of the fish’s life in the aquarium, a partial change of water will have to be made in any case, since the nitrogen cycle will be shifted due to the appearance of waste products from the inhabitants.
Further functioning of the aquarium
After the nitrogen cycle has been established, and the water has acquired an unnatural smell and color, care must be taken about airlift filters or more powerful analogues. Such devices help to accelerate the course of the nitrogen cycle and make it safer for the inhabitants of the aquarium. However, you should consider the power of the filters when choosing. For example, for an aquarium with small shrimp, only an airlift filter without powerful compressors is suitable. Small shrimps, like fish, can rub against the spongy surface of the filter and get stuck in it if the flow of drawn water is too strong. This can even lead to the death of the inhabitants of the aquarium.
How do aquarium filters work?
The principle of operation of airlift filters is very simple. These devices for the aquarium are a sponge with a certain surface area, inside of which a hollow tube with perforation is fixed. This tube, in turn, is connected to a compressor that draws in air that carries water along with it. This water is then poured back into the aquarium. There are bottom filters, without the use of compressors.
According to experts, the sponge itself is needed for more efficient formation of bacterial colonies. Such filters are very simple to manufacture, they are cheap, their device is extremely commonplace, but at the same time they are very effective. All in all, they are the perfect choice for any aquarium. Naturally, during operation it is necessary to periodically clean them, like the entire aquarium.
How to make a do-it-yourself airlift filter for an aquarium
Due to the simplicity of their design, many want to make a filter on their own. This approach not only saves money, but also makes the filter exactly the right size, decorate it to the design of the aquarium and its elements. To do this, you need only a few tubes, a square, the sponge itself and the compressor.
All these elements are mounted together and mounted on suction cups to the walls of the aquarium. First you need to test run the filter to make sure it is functioning correctly. However, the main disadvantage of this approach is that it is extremely difficult to independently calculate the compressor power, sponge porosity, water intake rate and other parameters.
To avoid further problems with the aquarium, in the reviews, many do not recommend doing a do-it-yourself air-lift filter. It is better to pick it up at the pet store, taking into account the parameters of the aquarium and the recommendations of specialists. In addition, you can decorate or customize a purchased filter, and many of them are already immediately sold with decorative elements. And the price of such devices is not so large that you could seriously save on this.
conclusions
Aquarium science is a complex process, one might even say art. When starting fish in the house, you need to understand the fact that they require some care. According to owners of aquariums, you need to change the water, clean and change the filters, monitor the condition of the water and the creatures living in it. However, if you do everything right, consult with specialists and not be lazy, caring for the system, your home aquarium with fish will be a wonderful decoration that perfectly complements almost any interior.