Mini aquariums (also called “nano aquariums”) generally refer to aquatic set-ups that are less than 10 gallons. They’re ideal for offices or small living spaces, and over time, you can cultivate a thriving community of live plants, shrimp, and tiny fish. However, mini aquariums arguably need more maintenance than larger aquariums because of how quickly the water’s chemistry can become imbalanced. They may also need more frequent cleanings and water changes, depending on the fish.
Here are the pros and cons of nano aquariums.
Pro: Mini Aquariums Don’t Need Much Space
Some nano aquariums are tiny—and we’re not kidding. For example, a one-and-a-half-gallon fish tank may only measure five inches wide, conveniently sized for tight spaces. You also wouldn’t have to worry about dumping gallons upon gallons into a mini fish tank because, as noted, these set-ups are generally less than 10 gallons. You could likely fill a nano aquarium with store-bought water jugs, provided that their water chemistry suits your pets’ needs.
It’s not uncommon for some fish tanks to degrade as they age, posing the likelihood of leaks. A smaller tank also means a smaller risk of your apartment flooding. So, you can have a mini aquarium for years and rest assured that even if it leaks, it likely won’t cause more than a puddle on the floor.
Pro: Nano Fish Tanks Are Easy to Clean
Even if you stock your tank with bottom feeders and other fish that naturally clean aquariums, you’ll still need to clean your set-up regularly. Still, with a smaller fish tank, this becomes less of a hassle. As opposed to maintaining a larger aquarium, with a nano aquarium, you could spend less time:
- Scrubbing aquarium decorations
- Conducting water changes
- Rinsing the filter
- Quarantining fish to avoid stress while cleaning
You may have to clean your tank more frequently because of its small size, however.
Pro: Smaller Tanks Are Slightly Less Expensive
There’s no doubt that aquarium-keeping is a rewarding hobby, but it can also be an expensive one. This may seem incredibly obvious, but smaller tanks are generally less expensive than larger aquariums. Because of their novel size, they also frequently come equipped with specialized filters (although you can purchase these separately, based on your gallons-per-minute filtration preferences).
Note that the cost of the aquarium itself is just a fraction of how much you can expect to spend overall. When setting up a mini fish tank, you may also need other items depending on the fish you’re keeping, including:
- Substrate (such as gravel, sand, or pebbles)
- Live plants
- A heater
- LED lights
Don’t forget your new aquatic friends, too! Gourami, danio, and rasboras generally cost less than $10 each.
Con: Micro Tanks Can Crash Easily
To ensure the sustainability of your aquarium, you must keep its water chemistry in accordance with the species of fish you’re keeping. For example, most freshwater community tanks require these parameters:
- Temperature: 72 to 82°F
- pH: 6.5 to 7.5
- Ammonia and nitrite: 0
- Nitrate: Less than 50 parts per million (PPM)
- Alkalinity: 4 to 8 KH
- General hardness (GH): 4 to 12 GH
It’s hard for a large aquarium to “crash”, a term aquarists use to describe a sudden problem that destabilizes a tank’s chemical parameters. Larger fish tanks have established cycles, and owners generally fall into a rhythm with cleaning and water changes. The same does not apply to micro fish tanks. Because of their modest size, mini aquariums can crash within a matter of hours, threatening the health of your fish and live plants.
To prevent your small aquarium from crashing, you should test the water chemistry weekly. That way, you can promptly address any imbalances and keep your fish safe.
Con: Your Fish Options Are Limited
A nano aquarium means keeping nano-sized fish. To prevent overcrowding, you must be very selective about the types of fish you get. After all, you can’t stock a five-gallon fish with tens of fish and hope for the best. Not only would this be unethical, but it’s unlikely that the small filter could keep up with the amount of waste the fish produce.
Yet, if you’re a fan of small aquatic creatures, you could have a blast picking and choosing what to include in your set-up. These could include certain types of:
- Shrimp
- Rasbora
- Danio
- Killifish
- Tetra
- Snails
There are also some species of loach that could make great additions to your aquarium. These are slender, eel-like critters that enjoy burrowing in sandy substrate. They’re docile and get on well with many types of tankmates, such as pea pufferfish, another possible addition to your mini tank!
Con: Small Tanks May Suffer Heat Loss
As noted, most freshwater aquariums need a temperature of 72 to 82°F. Larger aquariums are generally able to retain heat longer than smaller tanks. You could wake up one morning and find that your tank has plummeted to frigid temperatures, putting your fishes’ lives at risk.
If an aquarium gets too cold, the fish will have problems regulating their metabolism, combating infections, and maintaining other bodily functions. On the other hand, if an aquarium gets too warm, the fish will expend more energy and therefore need more oxygen. Yet, warmer water doesn’t retain oxygen as well as colder water. This could prove disastrous for your fish that could actually drown from a lack of oxygen.
Your aquarium’s placement in your home will play a critical role in its ability to maintain a stable temperature. Avoid putting your mini aquarium near any windows, AC vents, or exterior doorways. Instead, place it in an enclosed space with few temperature fluctuations.
Mini Aquariums vs. Regular-Sized Aquariums: Which Is Best?
The ideal aquarium for your circumstances ultimately depends on your expectations, lifestyle, and time commitment. Hobbyists agree that while alluring, micro fish tanks generally need more attention than their larger counterparts. There’s also a greater risk of its water chemistry crashing. Yet, if you’re a fan of the smaller things in life, you could find vast enjoyment in keeping a mini aquarium. And why stop there? You could have multiple nano aquariums and keep a different world in each one!
