Well-designed and beautifully designed landscape design is the pride of homeowners. Often among neat lawns and beautifully trimmed bushes, there is an impression of a lack of something important. After thinking, many land owners come to the conclusion that this missing element of harmony should become a reservoir. An artificial pond or a pond is a perfect addition to any landscape, but the owner's joy already at the first stages of owning this decoration can be overshadowed by the need for constant and complex care for him. Yes, and in itself the construction of a pond is a rather complicated procedure and it is not always possible to implement without compromising the general concept of the terrain.
But this is not a reason to give up the dream. A wonderful alternative to an artificial lake and a swimming pool will be a garden aquarium - a modern fashion trend in the field of landscape design that has come to us from Japan and Central Asia. At first glance this seems to be something fantastic, because in the usual sense, an aquarium is a reserve with water for keeping fish in a room where we are used to contemplate them. But nevertheless stylish and original garden aquariums are gaining increasing popularity among land owners.
What is a garden aquarium?
A garden aquarium is a reservoir of arbitrary size and volume of a regular geometric shape, in which a complete ecosystem is created and maintained. It can be built from a bowl on a pedestal, it is possible to make in a deepening, having surrounded with concrete walls. The main condition - for clarity, one or more walls should be made of thick, durable glass - in order to admire the fish.
Tips for building a garden aquarium
The equipment of the garden aquarium is not easy and requires certain skills. If you prefer not to contact a specialist and build an original garden ornament, it will be helpful to consider the following recommendations:
- the aquarium is best done in the form of a regular rectangle - this will facilitate the process of applying waterproofing, and the dirt will settle less on the vertical walls;
- if the aquarium is taken as a ready-made street pot, it is important to make sure that there are no cracks or obvious chips. To connect the bowl with the pedestal follows a special hermetic composition of the hydraulic mix and glue on a cement basis. After the mixture has dried, it is possible to coat the inside of the bowl with a waterproofing compound. After a day, it can be filled with water;
- suitable for creating an aquarium and any other concrete construction that has served its time for its intended purpose. It is important to pay special attention to its strengthening and waterproofing and do not forget to make one wall transparent;
- Sand on the bottom of the garden aquarium or large pebbles;
- seaweed can be "planted" on the bottom or float on the surface;
- for the full functioning of the system, special equipment is installed at the bottom for filtration and aeration of water;
- to create a special effect, you can equip an aquarium with LED backlight, which can also be carried along the bottom, and you can leave it on the surface;
- the most suitable types of fish for keeping in a garden aquarium are goldfish that tolerate temperature fluctuations, koi carp, colored carp, ide;
- It is also possible to supplement the fauna of the aquarium with crayfish, sea turtles and snails;
- for the winter in garden aquariums it is customary to install heating systems. But in the severe winter of the middle zone, it is practiced to drain part of the water and send fish to wintering in more favorable conditions.
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