akváriu

Akváriu is a transparent container designed to hold water and aquatic life for observation, study, or hobby breeding. The term is used in several languages for the concept of an aquarium; the form akváriu appears as a grammatical variant in some of these languages.

The aquarium can be freshwater, marine (saltwater), or brackish, and vary greatly in size from small desktop tanks to large public displays. It may be kept for decorative purposes, personal enjoyment, or scientific research. Some specialized setups include planted tanks with aquatic plants, or reefs with corals and invertebrates.

Typical components include the tank, a sturdy stand or cabinet, a lid to reduce evaporation, a filtration system, a heater for tropical species, lighting suitable for viewing and plant growth, substrate, and decorations or live plants. A reliable water-chemistry management with testing kits for pH, hardness, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate is essential.

Setting up a new aquarium requires a nitrogen cycle to establish beneficial bacteria that break down waste. This cycling process usually takes several weeks. During this period, acclimating fish slowly and using dechlorinated water is important.

Maintenance involves regular partial water changes, filter cleaning, algae control, equipment checks, and monitoring of temperature and water parameters. Overstocking or overfeeding can quickly destabilize the system.

Historically, modern aquariums emerged in the 19th century, with the term aquarium popularized by English naturalist Philip Henry Gosse. Today, akváriu is used in various languages to refer to the same concept.

Ethical considerations include avoiding the release of aquarium species into non-native ecosystems, choosing appropriate species for the tank size, and providing appropriate care to prevent suffering.