Wall Aquariums Give a Dramatic Look to Any Room

If you're looking for a different style of aquarium to add a dramatic look to your room, have you considered a wall mounted aquarium? Although they will need some extra installation and are more expensive than a regular aquarium they are stylish and will certainly be make a big impression with your visitors! If you mount one on a partition wall you can view your fish from two rooms. If you are not experienced enough to install a wall mounted aquarium yourself a local carpenter will be able to do it for you.

Wall aquariums, because they have limited space above and below, can be slightly more awkward to clean and maintain. To make access easier some come with cabinets that are mounted above or below the aquarium which will make routine tasks easier.

Mounting a Wall Aquarium

Many wall aquariums come complete with installation kits including hardware and add-ons to position pumps and other accessories so that they are not visible and spoil the good looks. Although they are easy to install, if you are not sure you can do this engage someone to do it for you so that all you have to do is add the water, plants and fish. Wall aquariums are usually made from acrylic which is lighter than glass and does not develop leaks as there are no seams.

Before you attempt to mount your aquarium make sure there are no wires or pipes in the wall at the chosen location. You will need to use a load bearing wall as, once filled with water, the aquarium will be heavy so you must make sure that the wall can support this. Aquariums can be either hung or built into the wall so you will need to decide which option you prefer. Another thing to think about is the positioning of the pump. If you don't want to hear the pump in the room where the aquarium is situated then you can place it in an adjoining room and run the water, through pipes, to your aquarium. Although this involves extra installation it allows you to have a larger pump that will move larger amounts of water through your aquarium which will aerate the tank much better and allow you to keep more fish. As wall aquariums are narrower than regular aquariums, with a smaller surface are for gas exchange the use of a bigger pump will compensate for this. With a smaller pump you will not be above to keep as many fish as you would in a regular, rectangular aquarium.

Before you buy your aquarium you will need to measure the area where it will go, allowing room for the accessories such as filters, lights and pump (if placed next to the aquarium). If you have decided to engage a carpenter to do the mounting for you it's a good idea to talk to him before you buy the aquarium and discuss the size and type of mounting you require.

Adding the Fish

Once you have your aquarium in place it's time to fill with water and cycle it. This is exactly the same as any other aquarium and we recommend you use a fishless cycling method. Cycling the tank is necessary to encourage the growth of nitrating bacteria which will deal with the waste from your fish by converting toxic ammonia to less toxic nitrates. It will take a week or more to cycle the tank and then you can begin to add your fish. Add them slowly, over a couple of months until the tank is stocked to allow the bacteria colonies to grow sufficiently to cope with the added burden.

Adding Plants

Live plants look wonderful in an aquarium and help to maintain the balance of the tank. You will need a good substrate, specially made for a planted aquarium, to anchor the plants and provide nutrients. You will also need to supply adequate lighting for the plants to photosynthesise and grow. If you prefer artificial plants there are some realistic looking silk plants that can be used instead.

Conclusion

Wall mounted aquariums are wonderful additions to any room, but will need some maintenance and care. They also need to be installed properly but the extra effort is more than made up for by the dramatic and beautiful look of a wall aquarium with colourful tropical or saltwater fish.