In this blog post we are going to cover the different types of Aquarium designed specifically for keeping marine fish. What are the different types, what makes them different from each other and some information to help you make a more informed choice if you're just getting into the hobby. By the end of this blog you'll know your Nanos from your Peninsulas!
Let's start by quickly going over what makes a marine aquarium different from other aquariums. The thing that instantly characterises most marine aquariums straight away is that they are designed to have sumps within the stand to house equipment such as heaters and skimmers. In order to function with a sump the display tank will have an overflow box with a weir which allows water to overflow into a separate part of the tank which houses piping to plumb water down into the sump. There will also be a return pipe here for water to be pumped back up from the sump in to the display tank. I would say that the majority of marine aquariums on offer now also come as open top, ergo they have no canopy or cover. This is because nearly all marine lights are designed to be hung or attached above the aquarium. Also, gas exchange has been identified as an important part of maintaining a healthy system so having an open top tank helps this. On the subject of gas exchange, another feature of marine aquariums is that they are rarely narrow. They are designed to have as much water surface area as possible. The process of gas exchange is more difficult in aquariums which are deep but narrow, which is why you don't often see them. Also, displays with front to back depth are aesthetically more pleasing and allow for more aquascaping options.
Standard Marine Aquariums.
We'll start the list off with what I would describe as your standard marine aquarium. The standard marine aquarium comprises of a rectangular display tank on a stand, usually wood but can also be metal, with a sump tank housed in the stand. The display aquariums can vary in size from 3 foot up to, well as big as you like! The commercial off the shelf aquariums typically top out at about 6 foot, if you want to go bigger then you're looking at a custom build from custom aquarium builders. As the length of the aquarium increases so does the width front to back to ensure that overall, it is aesthetically proportional. The depth of the display will also get deeper the bigger you get however this doesn't always vary as much. Depth often ranges from a foot and a half to two and a half foot on most aquariums.
These type of aquariums are probably the most commonly available and probably the most popular. They are aesthetically pleasing and can give you plenty of space for different fish and aquascaping options. There are lots of size options and designs to suit all hobbyists and home decor. If you're in the market for a new aquarium of this type then I would recommend having a look at the DD Reef Pro range. They offer great quality glass construction, a clever weir system and the cabinets are solid too.
Cube Aquariums.
 |
Cube aquariums have the same design features of the standard aquariums i.e, they have an overflow, sump and return pipe however the dimensions of the display are either the same or near enough the same in both height, width and depth. Why are these in a separate category? Well, they are distinctly different in that they are aesthetically different from the other options on offer. Having a cube aquarium presents different aquascaping options and challenges. Whereas a rectangular aquarium usually presents the option to create a 'reef wall' effect, a cube aquarium lends itself to creating an island style aquascape. A cube aquarium will limit what fish you can keep due to the lack of straight line swimming space but if you're not looking to keep the big swimmers like tangs then this style of aquarium may be right for you. The size of these aquariums can range from nano size (more about nanos below) right up to 2 foot square cubes which actually, despite being only 2 foot across offer a deceiving amount of water volume. If you're in the market for a cube aquarium then have a look at the Waterbox Marine X or the TMC Reef Habitat.
Nano Aquariums.
 |
The word nano comes from latin 'nanus' meaning dwarf and that is exactly what nano aquariums are, small versions of marine aquariums. They are often about 100 litres or less but other than being small a big difference with nano aquariums is that they are rarely, if ever, sumped. They are more often than not an 'all in one' option where the equipment to maintain the system is housed in a separate compartment at the back of the aquarium (more about AIOs below). Nano aquariums have their own fan base amongst the hobby and it's easy to see why. They are small and accessible for so many people who don't have the space at home for a larger system. They are versatile too, you can have a nano on a dedicated stand or on a sturdy piece of house furniture, some hobbyists even have them on their work desks! A smaller aquarium means lower equipment costs too however with less water volume comes less stability. Small parameter swings can be big swings in such a small amount of water so nanos can often be seen as requiring higher maintenance or at least more rigorous testing and monitoring. There is certainly an allure about nanos though, a little goes a long way and there is so much you can keep. With new and improving technology, keeping nanos is certainly more attainable for more people. If you're interested in nano reefing then have a look at the TMC Next Wave or the Waterbox Cube.
Peninsula Aquariums.
Peninsula aquariums are categorised by the overflow/weir box being on one of the smaller sides of the aquarium which allows for three viewing panes into the display aquarium. Peninsula aquariums are often used as room dividers or built into walls to allow for two sided viewing along the length of the display. This type of aquarium offer great aesthetics and something distinctly different from the 'standard marine aquarium'. One of the main difficulties however is flow. If you want to keep the viewing panes free from clutter then you only have one side on which to place powerheads for flow. On the larger peninsula aquariums it can be difficult to get good flow from along the whole length of the display. This can be overcome with good equipment and on especially large custom peninsulas the use of closed loops for flow. Waterbox and Red Sea offer Peninsula options in their range of marine aquariums which are worth a look at if this is something you want to set up.
All in one systems (AIO).
All In One aquariums, often abbreviated to 'AIO' are defined by their lack of a sump and that their filtration and equipment is housed in the back of the aquarium in a separate compartment hence the term all in one, the display and supporting equipment is all housed together in one (although technically separated in a compartment). AIO systems are typically seen in nano aquariums where the equipment is smaller. AIOs are also popular as frag tanks for reefers who are keeping and growing coral at such a rate that they are able to frag it down.
So all in all, that pretty much sums up the variety of marine aquariums commercially available, if you wanted something more bespoke then there is of course the custom aquarium builders option where you are only limited by your imagination and the laws of physics of course. If you want to see some of the commercial aquariums available then come and pay us a visit in store and have a look at them in the downstairs showroom and of course if you have any questions then do get in touch via phone, email or Facebook!