The nuances of placing an aquarium table, making it yourself
The table is one of the most important pieces of furniture. Not a single room can do without it, be it a kitchen, living room, nursery or office. Among the variety of furniture, non-standard solutions are often found, for example, a table-aquarium, which is perfect for any interior. Such a table not only reflects individuality, but also attracts the attention of others who will be happy to enjoy the underwater world with a cup of coffee.
Content
Design features
Tables with fish are ordinary aquariums, where there is everything necessary for the life of the inhabitants. In addition, the countertop installed on them plays a functional role depending on the installation location. Aquarium table solves several problems at the same time:
- The artificial pond created in the room is a wonderful living decoration.
- Observation of fish living in the tank has a calming effect on the psyche of people.
- Due to the table-aquarium, any interior is significantly transformed. If you put such an object in the room, then at least two tasks are solved: decorating the room with an interesting element that performs certain household functions (like any other table).
- Such a product serves to improve the microclimate in any room.
The advantages of installing such tables include:
- aesthetics;
- functionality;
- space saving.
The disadvantages include the fact that the fish are shy animals, so it is undesirable to make sudden movements. If, for example, you drop a newspaper on a coffee table, it will cause fright among the inhabitants of the glass house.
As for the technical side, like a regular table, the design has legs, a countertop made of light material. It is also a lid for the aquarium.
Popular models
For different models, different worktops are used:
- Rectangular The most common configuration. A rectangular table will fit several people at once.
- Oval. It has the functions of a table made in the form of a rectangle, it only looks visually smaller.
- Round. The lack of corners brings comfort to the room. In addition, the design is safe, especially if the house has small children.
- Square. Perfectly saves space, which makes this option ideal for a small room.
The dimensions of the countertops can be very diverse. They depend on the displacement of the aquarium, the preferences of the owner and the area of the room. For example, if the dimensions of the average aquarium are 25 cm wide and 45 cm long, then the countertop is made 60 cm wide and 80 cm long.The volume of the tank for aquatic inhabitants ranges from 15 to 20 liters (small), from 20 to 50 (medium), from 100 and above (large).
The original table-aquarium can be used not only in the house, but also in public places. You can set an unusual model as a bar - it will have a beneficial effect on cafe visitors. Such a table looks great in business interiors, where often people spend a lot of time waiting.
Materials and equipment
For the manufacture of tables used tempered glass, which has increased impact resistance. The optimum thickness is from 6 to 12 mm. Most often, glass for a table under the aquarium is installed in a wooden, metal, plastic frame. You can also use a tinted countertop, suitable in shade to the interior of the room.
To make the frame of the table-aquarium, apply the materials:
- Tree. Environmentally friendly and durable wood is coated with a special composition that repels water.
- Chipboard. The material is easy to process and has a low cost.
- MDF. Durable, inexpensive material that is easy to decorate.
- Metal. A reliable metal frame will last a long time, withstanding any load. Metal pipes or a rectangular profile are used.
As equipment for the aquarium are used:
- Water pump. Serves for aeration of water, formation of movement, mixing of layers.
- Filter. Maintains the bio-balance in the aquarium needed by fish and plants.
- Compressor. Used to provide living things with oxygen.
- Heaters. Maintain the required temperature, as the fish react negatively to its change.
By choosing the right equipment, it remains to beautifully design the aquarium, settling living organisms there.
Design and decor
In order for the aquarium space to look spectacular, you need to properly arrange it. Making an aquarium is a real art. You can decorate it in a classic style, using the minimum number of elements in the form of algae, pebbles, snags, shells, plants and low light. The following components occupy a special place in the design:
- Priming. You can choose natural soil or decorative in different colors.
- The stones. Natural and artificial are used. They can serve as a shelter for some species of fish.
- Driftwood. They serve to shelter fish and are a support for plants.
- Plants. More commonly used live plants that remove nitrogen in the aquarium.
- Shells and corals. Carefully cleaned shells are placed to shelter fish and spawning.
- Fish. Can be any. The main thing is that the selected species can live peacefully with each other. For small aquariums, guppies, zebrafish, neon, mollies, swordsmen, small catfish, and males are suitable. In more spacious tables, gourams, scalars, Nannakars, astronotuses, parrots can live.
The table shows the most popular modern styles of aquarium design.
|
Style |
Features |
| Japanese | An imitation of the land landscape associated with Japanese garden culture. |
| Dutch | It differs in many plants arranged in tiers. |
| Natural | As close to the natural environment. |
| Nautical | A characteristic feature is the filling of the tank with sea water and the creatures living in it. |
| Conceptual | It is made taking into account interests: space, ancient temples, fairy-tale characters and more. |
The decor of aquarium tables should be chosen depending on which room the product will be in.
Before placing any object in the aquarium, it must be disinfected.
Service requirements
In order for the aquarium to be successful, a number of rules must be followed. Tank lighting is important - it will increase attractiveness and improve the quality of the content. If the aquarium contains live plants, then not every type of lighting is suitable. Use only lamps with the desired emission spectrum, which contribute to photosynthesis. If there are no living plants in the reservoir, then fluorescent lamps are quite suitable. Do not place the aquarium in direct sunlight.
Cleaning the tank and changing the water depends on the volume of the aquarium: the smaller it is, the more often you need to do it. You can change the water yourself without resorting to the help of a specialist, the main thing is to familiarize yourself with the recommendations. You should constantly check the operation of the equipment, monitor the temperature and monitor the number of fish. It is necessary to provide care for plants, remove algae, clean decor items.
You also need to create a schedule for feeding the fish, making sure that they do not overeat, otherwise overfeeding will lead to death. Basically, fish have enough to eat once a day at the same time. Typically, the countertop is at the same time a lid for the aquarium, which can be raised to feed the fish. You can feed the inhabitants of the sea corner through special holes.
Ready table selection
Some craftsmen are able to make a table-aquarium with their own hands, but basically the original product is purchased in specialized stores. When choosing a table-aquarium, you need to pay attention to some features so that the product lasts a long time, delighting others. Since a table-aquarium filled with water is heavy, you need to find out what material the base is made of. The best option is metal or hardwood.
It is necessary to pay close attention to the joints: they must be airtight to avoid leakage of water. Also important is the hardware, which must be strong and reliable.
In addition, the countertop should suit the size and shape. Here the choice will depend on the purpose of the table-aquarium. If a small aquarium with a square tabletop is suitable for a small room, then in a large room you can install a volumetric tank with a rectangular or oval top. You should also consider for which room you need a table-aquarium: living room, nursery, bedroom, bar, reception. An aquarium with a small displacement is suitable for a children's room, and it is better to install a large tank in the office room.
How to make it yourself
A table-aquarium can be done independently if you have the necessary materials. For DIY making, the following kit is required:
- aquarium - 76 l;
- tabletop mirror;
- thermometer;
- fluorescent lamps - 2 pieces;
- wire rack 91 x 36 cm;
- extension;
- light timer;
- water heater;
- tips for chairs - 4 packs;
- filter;
- soil or pebbles;
- black polystyrene;
- triple adapter.
Of the tools you need a wooden hammer, pliers, screeds.
Workshop on making an aquarium table:
- The rack must be selected with a pillar size of 36-46 cm.
- The cable for the fixtures is laid under the shelf. In this case, a light timer and an adapter are installed.
- Inside the rack is an aquarium. The dimensions of the tank may be lower than the height of the shelf.
- The upper part of the rack is removed, as a result of which fences remain on the side and front.
- The tips for the chairs are fixed to the posts.
- A heater and an underwater filter are installed, the wires from which pass under the rack.
- The thermometer is fixed by a suction cup.
- The bottom of the tank is filled up with an even layer of soil.
- The lid closes.
- A countertop is placed on the lid.
To make electrical technology invisible, dark foam is placed at the bottom. At the last stage, the aquarium table is decorated with the necessary accessories.
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