My Aquarium is so simple, it's a vase!
Dec 27 '00
I often see people spending TONS of money starting their first aquariums, and it's definitely not necessary. I found the most beautiful of fish aquariums at the oddest place, my local flower shop. This aquarium is absolutely low maintenance and perfect for a beginner. It's not something you have to spend $50 dollars at the flower shop to purchase either!
If you'd like to start a low maintenance aquarium, then run to Wal-mart! In the area where Wal-mart keeps their vases, they have a vase specifically designed to hold fish. This glass vase is rather large in size and comes with a plastic tray in the top. This vase costs less than $15. Mine actually had a tag on it stating it was designed to make a plant aquarium, with directions on the back.
Next find pretty glass marbles. Although the marbles are not necessary, they do make for a beautiful vase. Marbles are also inexpensive. I bought a bag for just a few dollars. You will need to clean the marbles thoroughly and set them in the bottom of the vase. Next you can fill your vase with regular tap water. This water needs to sit overnight to remove most of the chlorine and impurities that can harm your fish and will also bring your water to room temperature. I saved a small handful of my marbles for the top tray that will go on the vase once you have a fish.
The fish of choice for this vase is the Betta, or Japanese fighting fish. You can find this fish at any local pet store for no more than $5. The male of this species is of course the prettiest and comes in a wide array of colors. Mine is blue, red and silver. These fish do not get along with each other and will fight to the death. It's very important to just place one betta in your vase. One fish seems to be easy to handle when learning to care for fish in the beginning. And the vase is the perfect home for just one. No air filtration system is needed for one fish either. When water starts to evaporate and you need more, simple put some tap water in a pan and let it sit overnight, then pour gently into your aquarium, simple as that.
Now you need a nice plant to complete the vase. The vases located in the flower shop contained a peace lily. These can be bought in small sizes at Wal-mart for no more than $2. I have used a vining ivy just for that fact that I could pinch off a starter from a plant I already have and it's quick growing. The roots of the plant have to be cleaned of dirt completely. Next a hole needs to be cut into the small plastic tray that came with the vase. This tray is going to hold your plant above your new fishes' home. Simply place the roots through the hole in the plastic tray and into the water. Place a handful of marbles around the plant in the tray to hold the plant upright. Now when the roots grow, they form a small playground for your fish.
Food for one fish can last forever! Although I was told by the florist that the fish can survive on their own without food, they eat off the plant roots, I still feed mine. I bought a package of Betta-Bio Gold. I feed this to my fish once a day through a straw I have placed down the side of the vase. A package of this costs only a couple dollars. I've had my fish for a few months and he's still got tons of food. I won't have to buy any for a long time. The Bio Gold is also supposed to prevent the fading of the colors of my fish, but I don't know if this is true.
This homemade aquarium has cost me less than 30 dollars to set up. The best part is the fact that it's so easy to care for too! I have a beautiful house plant sitting in my living room, and my friends are astonished when they see a fish swimming around the roots. Now that you've learned how to make one for yourself, I'm sure you'll want to set up this great new conversational piece.
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Epinions.com ID:
MiamiPrncess
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Member: Christi M.
Reviews written: 31
Trusted by: 12 members
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