Features of placing an aquarium in the interior. The best aquarium calculator What should be the volume of an aquarium

When an aquarium is placed in a living room, they usually find a place where it is clearly visible: opposite the chairs or sofa, to the right or left of the TV. It used to be thought that an aquarium needed daylight, but those days are gone. Modern light sources illuminate the aquarium from above, as happens in nature. This means that the placement of the aquarium is not related to the angle of light, but rather to the overall weight of the entire structure. Everyone can calculate how much an aquarium with all its contents will weigh on their own. But you need to take into account the total load on the floor, that is, the lower cabinet with all its contents and the aquarium standing on it (its own weight + gravel at the bottom + stones + water).

Light sources, especially if they are mounted in the top cover, are also quite heavy, so you need to calculate their weight.

Total weight of different aquariums

But the hardest thing is, of course, the aquarium itself with all its contents! This is enough good reason in order to seriously check the strength of the cabinet or cabinet on which it will stand. So how much does a full aquarium weigh? The calculation is as follows: volume in kg + 15% surcharge for additional elements, including the soil at the bottom. Here are some examples: As the size of the tank increases, not only does the volume in liters (kg) increase. By adding auxiliary elements and soil at the bottom, the total weight also increases. But one aquarium 120 cm long is not necessarily equal to another aquarium 120 cm long! The first (120 x 40 x 45) has a total weight of approximately 248 kg, while the other (120 x 60 x 65), more proportionate in design, reaches twice that total weight: approximately 538 kg.

What should you think about before buying an aquarium?

You need to ask yourself a few questions. What size aquarium can fit in your apartment, and can you afford it? What kind of fish would you like to have, big or small, freshwater or saltwater, tropical or cold water?

Another important point- It is highly advisable to choose a priority. If you want to create a beautiful underwater garden like a Dutch aquarium, then your home pond is AQUARIUM FOR PLANTS. The fish in such an aquarium are in the background, and, therefore, the vector of your activity should be aimed at creating optimal conditions for the plants, and there should be few fish (or there should not be any at all), they should be hardy enough (be able to adapt to the needs of the plants: impurities in the form of fertilizers, excess carbon dioxide) and also, preferably, perform auxiliary functions (be able to clean the aquarium of algae).

Another variant - AQUARIUM FOR FISH. In such an aquarium, the fish are in the foreground, the plants are unpretentious (or artificial). you create optimal conditions fish, even if it is harmful to plants.

If you choose the right combination of flora and fauna of the aquarium, sacrifice the preferences of both the first and the second to a certain extent, then you can achieve the creation of a decorative aquarium in which both fish and plants will perfectly coexist, grow and reproduce. Of course, it is impossible to create optimal conditions for the most demanding fish or plants in such an aquarium, but, nevertheless, in my opinion, this type of aquarium is the most interesting and preferable for beginners.

The next stage: choosing the fish you like. For example, we photographed price tags with the name and cost of the fish we liked, and then looked up information about them on the Internet. Having collected an impressive list of fish, we gradually began to cross out those fish that were very troublesome to keep. Some fish cannot exist in our tap water, and we had no desire to regulate the pH and hardness of the water. Then we removed from the list those fish that fall outside the temperature range of 18 - 26 degrees. Further no less important stage: selection of those fish from the remaining ones that can get along with each other. Our final version of the filtered list is not ready yet, so I will publish it to you a little later.

When we have decided on the fish, we should select plants that would fit the one you specified. temperature regime and water composition, and were also compatible with your fish. (As you know, there are fish favorite hobby for whom - to dig the ground. Plants with a weak root system will have a very difficult time in this case. There are also fish whose diet includes, among other things, some plants. You should either not buy such plants or exclude such fish from the list. You don’t want to see “cut” algae and their pieces floating on the surface in your aquarium? :)

For an average aquarium (an average aquarium with a capacity of about 100 liters is considered), the number of species of fish inhabitants is usually 3-5 species, and the number of varieties of algae is 4-5.

The maximum permissible number of fish is calculated at the rate of 3-5 liters per fish measuring 3 cm.

And no less important stage - actually choosing an aquarium.

What to look for when buying an aquarium?

When purchasing an aquarium with a frame:

When purchasing a glued aquarium, you should pay attention to the following:

After visual inspection An aquarium of any type must be checked to see if it has any leaks. To do this, you need to place an empty aquarium on a newspaper, fill it almost completely with water and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. If the newspaper is dry, then run a paper napkin over each joint - even a small leak will immediately make itself felt.

What should be the volume of the aquarium?

There is a rule that has not yet been refuted by anyone: the larger the aquarium in volume, the easier it is to achieve biological balance in it, the more beautiful and practical it is, the easier it is to care for and more fish you can live in it.

For living rooms The most suitable vessels are those with a volume of at least 50 and no more than 150 liters. A large aquarium measuring 100x50x50 centimeters and a volume of 250 liters can cause you big trouble. The glass broke and 25 buckets of water were on your floor. This is of course an extreme case, but anything can happen. It is better to have two aquariums of 80-100 liters each than one of 200 liters.

What materials are aquariums made from?

Aquariums are made of silicate (ordinary) and organic glass.

Which aquarium is better to buy: silicate or organic glass?

Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. Decide for yourself.

Silicate glass

Advantages:
- high transparency;
- scratch resistance;
- availability.

Flaws:
- fragile, easily broken;
- heavy.

Organic glass

Advantages:
- insulates heat well;
- strong. If you want to break it, you will need a hammer or sledgehammer;
- lung;
- perfect transparency, maybe different colors and forms.

Flaws:
- requires careful care when cleaning (easily scratched);
- not suitable for external heating with an incandescent lamp;
- hard to find, overpriced.

Aquarium weight:

Everyone can calculate how much an aquarium with all its contents will weigh on their own.
But you need to take into account the total load on the floor, that is, the lower cabinet with all its contents and the aquarium standing on it (its own weight + gravel at the bottom + stones + water). Light sources, especially if they are mounted in the top cover, are also quite heavy, so you need to calculate their weight. But the hardest thing is, of course, the aquarium itself with all its contents! This is a good enough reason to seriously check the strength of the cabinet or cabinet on which it will stand.

So how much does a full aquarium weigh? The calculation is as follows: volume in kg + 15% surcharge for additional elements, including soil at the bottom.

Here are some examples: As the size of the tank increases, not only the volume in liters (kg) increases. By adding auxiliary elements and soil at the bottom, the total weight also increases. But one aquarium 120 cm long is not necessarily equal to another aquarium 120 cm long! The first (120 x 40 x 45) has a total weight of approximately 248 kg, while the other (120 x 60 x 65), more proportionate in design, reaches twice the total weight: approximately 538 kg. So you need to think carefully about not only the lower closet, but also about the reliability of the floor (especially when beam floors in old houses): will they withstand such a load?

Overview of rectangular sizes aquarium 100 liters based on samples of previously assembled products. The dimensions of the aquarium are optimal for a novice aquarist, with the further settlement of a small flock of aquarium fish. A volume of 100 liters will allow you to create comfortable conditions for keeping fish and living plants together. It is enough to equip a hundred liter aquarium with high-quality equipment (filter, compressor) and your participation in maintaining the aquarium will be minimal..

The parameters of the aquarium were worked out through a large number of assemblies, followed by launch and design. Regardless of the chosen design style, the size of the decorations will fit from any manufacturer, without any modifications. The choice of artificial and live plants is so large in online stores that you can create your own individual style!

For an aquarium volume of 100 liters, a larger safety margin is provided for glass with a thickness of 6 mm. Plus the installation of stiffening ribs in the upper part of the aquarium. The complete set with a lighting cover includes cover glasses, which will significantly extend the life of electrical equipment and reduce the amount of water evaporation in the aquarium. The volume and dimensions of the “can” are convenient in self-assembly aquarium with your own hands. Feel free to use these drawings in your manufacturing plans. Questions about how to make a 100 liter aquarium with your own hands at home can be asked on the forum. Our experts will always give you advice!

External dimensions of the aquarium 100 liters

• length - 750 mm
• width - 300 mm
• height - 450 mm

Dimensions of glass for assembling an aquarium

Glass - 6 mm

• 750 x 450 = 2 pieces - front glasses

• 288 x 450 = 2 pieces - side windows

Bottom layout for a 100 liter aquarium inside the perimeter of the “can”. When assembling the aquarium, consider a distance of 2 mm on each side. (internal seam)

Aquarium bottom, glass - 6 mm

• 734 x 286 = 1 piece - bottom

Rib size

The length of the rigidity is laid out with a distance from the edge of the side wall - 60 mm

Glass - 6 mm

• 50 x 734 = 2 pcs - lower stiffeners

• 50 x 618 = 2 pcs - upper stiffeners

Cover glass dimensions

For ease of feeding and hose installation external filter It is necessary to cut off the corners of the cover glass. Part No. 1 is a cut of one corner, as shown in the drawing, No. 2 is a cut of two corners.

Glass - 4 mm

• 354 x 268 = 2 pieces - cover glasses ( original size) / 100 x 100 - corner cut

To calculate an aquarium according to your size, please use the form.

Aquarium filter 100 liters

To filter water in a 100 liter aquarium, we can recommend a budget model of an internal filter Aquael FAN 2 Plus. Why this particular filter..?

• Sold in almost all pet stores, in any city..
• Reasonable price (twice cheaper), in comparison with analogues of other foreign companies..
• The declared productivity of 450 liters per hour corresponds to reality..., but we recommend buying a model with a large power reserve for an aquarium volume of more than 100 liters, that is, the next filter in the Aquael FAN line.. It is easier to reduce the water flow using the regulator on the filter than to clean and change the water every day...
• To save money, you can use an aeration filter and postpone the purchase of a compressor for a while.

However, the choice of equipment for a 100 liter aquarium is yours. You can always find others on sale interesting options internal filter..

An aquarium is a wonderful, bright, living element of the interior. It combines such attractive qualities for humans as water, light, movement, unusual, colorful living organisms, the transparency of glass, the shine of metal, the warm texture of wood or the laconicism of plastic. An interior designer can use an aquarium to solve a variety of problems, when decorating the most different rooms. In addition, the customer himself often insists on including an aquarium in the interior of the room.

What do you need to consider in order to use an aquarium in the design of a room? What needs to be considered in advance in order to successfully use an aquarium in the interior? Let's try to figure it out.

An aquarium has a number of properties common to interior items and, in addition, a number of specific qualities inherent only to the aquarium, and sometimes only to this particular aquarium. Standard properties include the overall dimensions and weight of the aquarium with water and decorations, its stands and lids. These properties alone can present a number of unpleasant surprises.

The overall dimensions and sometimes the weight of a large aquarium can make it impossible to lift it in an elevator or carry it up the stairs. In this case, there are two options: lift the finished aquarium with a crane and bring it in through the window (if the aquarium fits through the window opening, and the floor on which the room is located allows the use of a truck crane), or assemble the aquarium at its future location. Gluing an aquarium in place is widely used in the construction of truly large aquariums, but it requires certain conditions (stable temperature, humidity, dust-free, draft-free) throughout the entire gluing and drying process. In addition, the aquarium emits quite a lot of noise during the drying process. strong smell, which makes it impossible for people to live in the same room until the seams are completely dry. The gluing and drying period is at least a month!

The weight of the aquarium with water and the specific load (kg/m²) on the floors also require calculation and planning. This is especially true for a large or tall aquarium. It is clear that the higher the water column, the greater the pressure on the support, but in addition to water, the weight of the aquarium is made up of glass, metal carcass, soil, decorations, etc. There is the following relationship: the higher the aquarium, the stronger the water pressure inside. Accordingly, the thicker (and therefore heavier) the glass should be. In tall narrow aquariums, the weight of the glass is comparable to the weight of water, and may even exceed it. Meanwhile, the maximum permissible load for floors in most buildings is no more than 600-800 kg/m². This load is given by the pressure of a water column with a height of 60-80 cm, without taking into account the weight of the glass, stand, etc. Accordingly, if you plan to place a large or tall aquarium in the room, the ceilings need to be reinforced.

Options for distributing the load over the floor:

1). When pouring the screed, a channel grid or other rigid structure is placed in the area under the aquarium. metal structure. Thus, the load is distributed over a larger area. The area is calculated depending on the weight and characteristics of the floors.

2). After pouring the screed, when it is too late to reinforce the floors, you can make a stand with larger area support than the bottom of the aquarium. For example, an aquarium with a bottom 60x40 cm (bottom area - 0.24 m²) can be placed on a stand with a supporting surface of 80x60 cm (support area 0.48 m²). Thus, the specific load on the floors will be reduced by half!

We should not forget that the aquarium is for normal operation needs equipment. It needs to be placed somewhere, and it needs power. You need to think about the location of the equipment in advance, then you can safely carry out the wiring in a hidden way. This means that the aquarium project must be ready for this stage of repair. Often the equipment is placed in a cabinet or stand on which the aquarium sits. By the way, in many respects the height of the cabinet or stand can be determined overall dimensions equipment that is supposed to be placed there. If you want to abandon the cabinet, think about where the equipment will be placed. It requires regular and convenient access; it cannot be walled up in the wall once and for all. Kit necessary equipment determined by both the volume of the aquarium and the expected population. Let's say a marine aquarium will require much more technical devices than a freshwater goldfish aquarium.

A saltwater aquarium almost always requires forced cooling. For this purpose, special aquarium refrigerators are used. When operating, such a unit makes noise (especially the refrigerator fan) and generates a significant amount of heat. In addition, these devices are large in size (can be compared to a TV). When placing a refrigerator in a cabinet, you need to take care of the cabinet’s sound insulation and forced exhaust ventilation. Unfortunately, exhaust ventilation- This is an additional source of noise. The most acceptable solution would be to move the refrigerator to an adjacent room, preferably a non-residential one. Room requirements: temperature from +5 to +30°, distance from the aquarium within 10-15 meters, height difference no more than 3 meters. Two pipelines are laid in thermally insulating sleeves from the aquarium to the refrigerator . We have experience in placing refrigerators on staircase landings, technical floors and insulated balconies.

The aquarium needs lighting. Usually the lamp is built into the lid of the aquarium, but this is not always the case. In any case, the lamp must be connected to the mains, and sometimes it is necessary to provide it with additional ventilation. I want to emphasize that although lighting is necessary for an aquarium, not always and not all light is good for it. It would be more correct to say that an aquarium needs correctly selected and precisely dosed lighting. Therefore, it is not advisable to place the aquarium in a place where direct sun rays or in a very bright room. This problem is usually encountered when placing an aquarium in winter garden with a glass roof and numerous windows. When placing an aquarium in such a room, you need to think about how to protect it from excessive light. The solution could be blinds, curtains or large plants that shade the aquarium. If this problem is not resolved, then appearance The aquarium will always be spoiled by rapidly reproducing algae, creating an unpleasant green or brown coating on the glass and decorations of the aquarium.

To maintain the aquarium, it is necessary to provide a service space above it. Its height should be at least half the height of the aquarium itself. That is, above an aquarium 1 meter high, the height of the service space should be at least 50 cm. Sometimes the designer needs to hide this space. This problem is usually solved by removable panels, doors, etc.

When maintaining large aquariums, especially freshwater aquariums with live plants, significant amounts of water will need to be changed. This means that the water source (tap) cold water with a fitting onto which the hose is pulled) and the sewage system should be within 10-20 meters from the aquarium. You should also consider through which rooms the water change hose will be pulled. It is quite obvious that running a hose through a bedroom or study general director- Not best idea. And if this aspect of the issue is not thought out in advance, then the aquarium may be deprived of the necessary care.

Aquarium, cladding, equipment, technical solutions for the placement of an aquarium complex - all this costs money. It is much more effective to design an aquarium when you know in advance how much the customer is willing to spend on the project. There is no point in discussing the details of the manufacture, placement and design of a 1000-liter marine aquarium, if the customer is willing to allocate no more than 2-3 thousand dollars for an aquarium. This is a waste of time for all concerned. Usually, the designer has a much better idea of ​​the customer’s financial capabilities and his willingness to spend money on an aquarium than an aquarium company. Therefore, we hope for the help of the designer in this matter.

Extremely important! It is better to consult about the required communications and similar things with the company from which you will then order the aquarium. It is best if it is the same specialist. We often encounter this situation: the designer or customer cannot decide to install an aquarium and conclude an agreement until the last moment. Sometimes customers (for example, husband and wife) cannot agree among themselves. However, renovations are underway and consultations are required on communications, sizes, etc. Since no aquarium company will work for free without formalizing the relationship with an agreement, representatives of different companies are called in turn to receive consultations under the pretext of inspecting the premises and selecting an aquarium model. From each such representative, the customer or designer receives advice on one or two issues. And it turns out that one company will offer accommodation and a general concept, another will be asked about water and sewerage, and a third will advise on electrical wiring. Our experience shows that different aquarium companies have different ideas about the implementation of one project. It is not surprising that their advice may contradict each other, and the company that will install the aquarium will be faced with a complex tangle of problems and shortcomings. It is important for the designer and the customer that the aquarium company will take responsibility for possible shortcomings only if it carried out the work from the very beginning to the end and on an official basis.

All the above-mentioned features of placing an aquarium in the interior lead us to one thought: it is advisable to think through all the details of placing the aquarium on early stages construction and finishing works.

The sooner a designer or architect turns to a specialist in aquarium design, the easier, better and at a lower cost he will be able to implement his plan.

© 2005 Alexander Lebedev
© 2005 Aqua Logo -

Metric: Multiply the length of the aquarium by its width and height, expressed in centimeters, to obtain its volume in cubic centimeters (cm3). Divide this value by 1000 to convert it to liters. 1 liter of water weighs 1 kilogram.

English units: Multiply the length of the aquarium by its width and height, expressed in inches, to obtain its volume in cubic inches. Divide this value by 277.36 to convert to English gallons. 1 gallon of water weighs 10 pounds.

The shape of the aquarium is also important. Fish usually swim horizontally rather than vertically, which is why the traditional elongated rectangular aquarium the best way satisfies the needs of fish. Tall and narrow "towers" have a relatively small water surface area. In fact, such aquariums are high-rise versions of small goldfish aquariums, considered a symbol of cruelty in our time. The value of an aquarium as a room decoration should not be determined by its shape, but by the attractiveness of the underwater world it contains with healthy plants and fish.

Plexiglas (acrylic) aquariums are produced industrially, as are silicate glass containers. However, some stores offer quality glass aquariums that are custom made locally. Such aquariums can be cheaper because they do not include additional overhead costs (for example, transportation costs). It is advisable to check that it was new glass that was used to make the aquarium, and not old ones. window glass from the shop. To do this, look carefully to see if there are any scratches on the glass. In addition, the glass must have required thickness, and the upper edges should be properly reinforced with sides (compare with an aquarium industrial production). Industrially manufactured aquariums often have a plastic frame, which is usually purely decorative (it covers the glass joints).

Stand

The aquarium stand can have different designs:

A special cabinet for an aquarium, usually made of wood. There is a compartment at the bottom for external equipment and storage of necessary supplies. For the living room, this is probably the most attractive option, but at the same time the most expensive. Make sure that the material and design of the cabinet is such that it can withstand the humidity and weight of a filled aquarium.

Welded stand metal profiles, usually painted black or White color or with a plastic coating of the same colors.

Some piece of furniture or built-in furniture (shelf or sideboard). It must be strong enough to support the weight of the aquarium and water. If you have any doubts about this, seek professional advice.

Floor. Is not perfect option from the point of view of convenience of monitoring the aquarium.

At one time, some low-income aquarists made very good stands from concrete blocks or bricks stacked on top of each other, and placed a thick, strong board on top of them. Such “creativity” can be visually hidden.

The stand must have a perfectly flat surface on which to place the aquarium. Cabinets usually have a suitable surface, but metal stands and some built-in furniture (for example, a stone fireplace surround) do not have such a surface, so you need to place them on top. solid foundation for aquarium. A sheet of moisture-resistant plywood is best suited required sizes, intended for outdoor use or for use in the sea, with a thickness of at least 1.25 cm. This type of plywood can be purchased at hardware stores and finishing materials. Do not use plywood intended for internal use, particle boards or wooden boards- they will swell and rot when drops of water get on them, which is almost inevitable.

In addition, the bottom of the aquarium must be protected with a polystyrene foam pad or thick fabric appropriate thickness and dimensions. The gasket will help compensate for any unevenness in the stand - without this precaution, the bottom of the aquarium may crack.

Lid

An aquarium lid is needed to keep the fish in the aquarium. Without a lid, some fish may jump or even crawl out of the aquarium - for example, representatives of families such as clariids and snakeheads. In addition, the lid prevents dirt from getting inside the aquarium and serves as a barrier for children and pets. On it are located lighting(see below). Sometimes it has sockets for connecting another electrical equipment. True, it is better to place such a “tee” outside the aquarium and protect it from the slightest danger of contact with water. Therefore, the presence or absence of additional sockets in the lid should not particularly bother you. As for aquariums sold with a stand, they usually have a lid of the appropriate size.

Most lids have a window that allows access to the aquarium. Make sure that the window handle has the appropriate size and shape - it should not slip out of your fingers if they are wet.

The lid should be equipped with built-in cover slips or plastic trays to collect condensate. This is necessary so that the evaporation of water is minimal, and the air space above the water surface has the same temperature as the water. This is especially important if you keep gourami and other fish that have additional respiratory organs that allow them to breathe atmospheric air. Make sure that the cover slips or trays allow access to the inside of the aquarium - otherwise you will have to remove the lid every time you want to feed the fish or change the water.

Some types of aquarium lighting require the aquarium to be left without a cover. In stores, aquariums are also usually kept without lids. Nevertheless, you still need to cover the aquarium with cover glasses, which also keep the fish in the aquarium, prevent dirt from getting into it, etc.