How to make corals with your own hands. How to make corals from mastic step by step. Round aquarium - decoration care design photo video

Aquariums are a whole universe for such small living creatures of the water element as fish, skates, crustaceans, snails, snakes ... Their number is pleasantly shocking in any artificial reservoir. Crafts for an aquarium with their own hands are a creative exclusive process, depending on the talent of the owner. Aquarists take great pride in the wonderful creations they have created. These masterpieces are beautiful and at the same time convenient for aquatic inhabitants living in aquariums. How many varieties can be embodied in the manufacture of a magnificent brainchild!

Creating a background

You can create a mythical fairy tale from any beautiful moment of life. Someone remembers a vacation in the mountains and uses rock sculpture in the manufacture of scenery. Someone cannot forget scuba diving to the bottom of the Black Sea with numerous outlandish bottom algae. Decorations in the aquarium can be created using a black tint. Thanks to this color, space is visualized. At the same time, a colorfully laid out mosaic of stones with colored illumination gives the magnificence of the beauty of the water kingdom.

Background decorations for aquariums can be created by painting the surface and applying decorative patterns. You can use a self-adhesive film pasted on a sheet of plywood. A pattern created by artists is applied to it. It must be tightly attached to the back wall of an artificial reservoir. The glass surface is wiped with glass cleaners and degreased. Otherwise, the film may fall off and scare the aquarium inhabitants. The surface is moistened with settled water, evenly applying a plywood sheet. Air is squeezed out of the film by uniform strokes or punctures of the surface. The plywood is secured with tape.

When creating decorations for an aquarium, you can use a foam sheet. It will serve as a screen, which can be replaced with another decor at any time. A rock, a castle, a waterfall is cut out of the material ... The front side is burned with fire until small bubbles appear. Alabaster, gypsum or cement is applied to the hot side. After complete drying, the surface is painted over with gray or gold paint. Attach the art craft with the front side to the aquarium. Decoration for the aquarium will serve as a wonderful backdrop for its inhabitants.

The splendor of the waterfall

The aquarium decoration of the splendor of the waterfall is being created mythical fall of a seething stream of water. The powerful effect is achieved by the skillful design of the falling sand jet. This action is created thanks to an air compressor that creates a vacuum. With the help of injection, the sand rises up through the tubes, and then smoothly descends, creating a wonderful illusion. With bated breath, with eyes admiring with delight, those who observe the life of the water element will appreciate the beauty of the picture. Decorations for an aquarium in the form of a wonderful waterfall can be created by yourself using a compressor. You will need:

A support whose height will serve as the size.
Transparent tape.
Hose with a diameter of up to 15 millimeters.
Plastic bottle of mineral water.
Silicone adhesive.
Purchased hoses from droppers.
Decorative stones.

The decoration of the aquarium is created using a support. For the necessary stability, it is necessary to attach a rectangular base. Several decorative pebbles are glued onto it, which create the necessary weight and additional stability. A hose is attached to it so that the edge of the top is 1 centimeter above the water. A hole is cut at the bottom of the hose for the sand storage bowl. Such a vessel is made from a plastic bottle. The top of the neck is cut off, which is cut along, in the form of a scoop. The bowl is inserted into the hose and tightly fixed with transparent tape. All joints are sealed with silicone adhesive. Decoration for the aquarium does not tolerate depressurization of the seams. Otherwise, the injection will not work. Tubes from droppers are attached to the lower edge of the hose. Air is supplied through this device. A hole is cut in the lower part through which all the sand will pour out. The design can be decorated with small pebbles, gypsum, cement. From it you can create a beautiful bewitching castle or a mysterious cave. The decoration of the aquarium will be a great addition to its aquatic inhabitants.

Exclusive water architectures

Small-form architecture can be replaced with knots and tree roots found in the forest. True connoisseurs of exclusive jewelry carve various caves, ships, burrows, as well as various inhabitants of the water kingdom from wood. Decorations for an aquarium in the form of natural trees look great. Viewers are presented with a panorama of the fabulous world of the dragon, among scattered colored treasures near a wooden chest and a sunken ship. Such shelters will become a favorite place for domestic inhabitants.

In the manufacture of crafts, the material is soaked in salt water for 30 minutes. Then the future workpiece must be boiled and cleaned of bark. On the side, you need to cut a hole that will serve as an entrance. The edges are burned on fire and cleaned of exfoliated particles. Then the decoration of the aquarium should lie for 7 days in boiled water. Only after all the procedures, the tree is laid out on the bottom of the aquarium, fixed with silicone glue or decorative pebbles. It is forbidden to use rotting wood. Particles of such material will fall into the aquarium water and adversely affect the health of the inhabitants. Oak is not recommended. Its substances emit organic acids that are harmful to fish. Due to the resin content, aquarium decorations should not be made from coniferous trees.

stone treasury

Treasures of sunken ships are made by skillful craftsmen from ordinary small pebbles. Flat stones of small size and regular rounded shape are especially loved and in demand. The production of scenery for aquariums is made according to the plan and imagination of the master. Bonding of stones is created with special silicone according to the artist's drawings. It can be a stone fortress or sheer cliffs, a stone bridge or a mysterious cave.

Decoration for an aquarium in the form of small pebbles goes well with sand waterfall and wooden crafts. Natural stone is easy to use and has global possibilities for creating unusual figures. You can use smooth pebbles, which are well attached with silicone glue. It is forbidden to make decorations for aquariums from alkaline materials. They change the chemical composition of water, creating conditions unsuitable for existence. In such a situation, aquatic inhabitants may die. To test the stones for alkalinity, drop apple cider vinegar on their surface. When sizzling bubbles appear, it is forbidden to use such pebbles, since an alkaline reaction has occurred. Such material contains lime molecules and is unsuitable for use. With a neutral reaction, the pebbles are placed on the bottom of the aquarium or glued with glue.

Decoration for an aquarium in the form of pebbles goes well with shells and corals. Such material is loved by African cichlids living in similar natural conditions. For other types of marine life, it is better to use types of stones:

granite;
pebbles;
quartzite;
amber;
marble;
slate;
porphyry;
gneiss;
mineral stones.

Do not use decorations for aquariums with sharply pointed edges, as fish may be injured. Figures made of stones are indispensable in the design of home and office aquariums. They fill the interior space well, creating a fairy tale world.

Decorations for aquariums are especially appreciated when they are created by hand. All the charm of the water element can be shown in all its glory with the diligence and talent of the master. Only with his imagination and skill can the mysterious water crafts be brought to life and reproduced. They will attract, delight numerous spectators with fabulous fantasies made of wood, stone, polystyrene, beads, ornamental plants, sand. The world inside the aquarium will seem real, mysterious and attracting the eyes of others to it.

As a rule, aquarists are very enthusiastic people who are ready to do anything for their silent pets, including creating an exclusive decorative design for a water house. Decorating an aquarium is a creative process that entirely depends on the aesthetic taste of its owner, and each person feels special pride if the unique decorations are made by hand.

Wanting to decorate his aquarium, creating a unique atmosphere in it, the aquarist can use individual elements and parts sold in stores, as well as natural objects and materials. Decorations can be both the most simple and complex. For example, it can be models of ancient buildings of ancient times or knight's castles, the simplest hill of neatly stacked stones or a bizarre cave with several entrances. Everything depends on the person himself. Of course, certain decorations must necessarily correspond to the nature and habits of the aquarium inhabitants.

DIY background

It is clear that ornamental fish absolutely do not care what this background will be. However, for people, a background that creates a water perspective or, for example, an imitation of rock, is a very attractive detail. Properly and beautifully decorated rear wall of the aquarium, with the right lighting, gives a three-dimensional view of the entire composition, emphasizes the characteristic features of the internal elements of the aquatic world.

Some make the background completely black, achieving visual depth of space and simulating the ocean water environment. And someone makes a blue bright background, more like a sunlit lake. How many people, so many options.

One of the options- painting the outer part of the back wall or applying some patterns to it. But many create a similar background with self-adhesive film, which comes in various colors. For example, cast PVC film ORACAL allows you to make a background with any pattern. You just need to make a sketch, and the employees of the advertising company will print the idea on film for a small fee.

The most important thing is to securely attach the finished film to the back wall of the aquarium. To do this, the glass surface must be thoroughly degreased, otherwise the film will quickly fall off. Then the degreased surface is moistened with clean water from a spray bottle and the film is evenly applied. After that, water and air bubbles are carefully squeezed out from under it using a special tool. However, for this you can use a regular plastic card.

Another way - creating a voluminous background with a foam sheet. In principle, this will not be a background, but a screen that can be removed at any time. Such a screen is made as follows: first you need to cut a sheet of foam to the size of the rear window, then lightly burn one side on the fire until bubbles appear, and then apply a thin layer of cement to the burned side. After it dries, a relief gray surface is obtained, resembling a section of rock. By attaching the foam with the decorated side to the glass with adhesive tape, you can end up with a fancy background.

Coconut as an aquarium decorative element

Actually, we are not talking about a palm nut, but about a coconut shell, from which you can independently make an original shelter for fish.

In the grocery store, you need to buy a fresh large coconut and combine the useful with the pleasant. On the surface of the walnut bark, you should find three notches, make holes in their place (with a screwdriver, nail, drill) and drink aromatic juice with pleasure.

Then the shell is cut in half with a jigsaw, and the white flesh is eaten with the same pleasure.

To destroy unwanted microorganisms, the shell is boiled in water for 5-7 minutes. Further, as far as fantasy allows, you can cut notches around the circumference of the shell cut or make additional holes.

The two halves are placed on the bottom of the aquarium, and curious fish will immediately begin to explore new caves. In addition, some fish use the pile on the shell as food. In less than a month, the hard shell of the nut will become completely smooth.

Wooden decorative elements

The tree looks very natural in the aquarium. Even a grotto can be made from this material, which will become a natural refuge for fish and a place for their rest. However, not every tree is suitable for a home artificial pond.

For example, oak should not be used in any case, since it releases the so-called tannins into the water - organic phenolic acids.

Making a wooden grotto is not at all difficult. It is necessary to choose a suitable stump, rinse it thoroughly, peel it from the bark. Then boil the workpiece in brackish water for 30 minutes.

In the side surface of the hemp, cut holes or one large hole, the edges of which should be burned. Peel the stump again from the remnants of the bark, which exfoliated after cooking. It would be better to hold the finished wooden product for a week in ordinary cold water, changing it daily.

After all these procedures, a wooden grotto can be fixed to the bottom of the aquarium using special silicone or pressed with stones.

In the same way, driftwood is processed, which looks very impressive in an artificial home pond.

The most important thing is not to use rotting wood, as decay products can spread throughout the water environment.

A rock

This material is present in almost every aquarium. Ease of use, ample opportunities for creating decorative figures - that's what makes it indispensable for interior design.

Flat stones of rocks are well suited for the manufacture of slides, grottoes, caves. The same decorative structures made of smooth pebbles look very nice. In this case, the stones should be glued to each other with special aquarium silicone.

Before placing stone elements in an aquarium, they, like wood, always need to be prepared.

The stones are thoroughly cleaned of dirt and then boiled in water for at least 10 minutes.

Crafts from those stones that emit a lot of alkali should be avoided, as this dramatically changes the chemical balance of the water, which can lead to creating conditions unsuitable for pets.

By the way, it is very easy to check the pebbles for alkalinity: just drop a few drops of vinegar on their surface. If sizzling bubbles appear, then an alkaline reaction occurs. Therefore, these stones contain limestone and cannot be used.

The same applies to shells and corals, which can be used when the inhabitants of the aquarium are some of the African cichlids living naturally in mildly alkaline water.

For all other cases, rocks such as basalt, granite, sandstone, sea pebbles are ideal. You should only avoid decorating the interior with stones with sharp edges and edges.

Ceramic products as decorations

Ceramic pots fit perfectly into the aquarium interior. True, many experts do not recommend the use of Chinese ceramics, which release harmful chemicals into the water.

If there is still free space in the water house, then you can buy a real clay pot or a deep bowl at the handicraft fair or from villagers.

The pot is usually placed on the bottom of the jar on its side and fixed with stones. And you can cut several holes in different places, carefully rounding their sharp edges.

Some general decorating rules

No matter how much you want to decorate your aquarium with a variety of crafts, you should not clutter up the interior space too much. It must be remembered that its inhabitants need more space for swimming.

It is recommended to place home-made decorations in the background or on the sides, since the basis of any aquarium is still its inhabitants, and not crafts. In addition, such placement will help to hide from the eyes of technical devices to ensure the life of the fish (filter, aerator, thermometer). In the central part of the aquarium composition, it is desirable to leave only low decorative elements.

In pet stores, you can easily buy almost everything you need to decorate a fish house. But only well-made decorations can serve as an object of pride for any aquarist and give the interior space a unique look and beauty.

Do-it-yourself aquarium lighting - video description

DIY aquarium LED lighting

The first way, to make your own illumination of the aquarium with LEDs, is the simplest, where you can additionally equip the lighting cover with special fitolamps. To do this, a white LED strip is fixed around the perimeter. This will give an optimal spectrum and the most uniform illumination around the upper perimeter of the aquarium. A self-adhesive-based LED strip filled with plastic is used, where the protective layer is removed and attached around the perimeter of the box.

Such lighting is widely used for decorative purposes, but it cannot be an independent source of aquarium lighting. The insulation at the junction of the tape and the cord is made with a special transparent silicone used for aquariums. It will reliably protect the power cord from water ingress. The wires at the output are marked in red, this is a plus, and a minus is a black or blue wire. If the polarity is not correct, the LEDs will not work.

The second way is to collect full-fledged LED aquarium lighting of sufficient power without generators and sophisticated equipment. At 200-300 liters, 120 watts is enough for a heavily planted aquarium. This in total assumes 40 spot LEDs at 270 lumens, 3 watts each. The result will be an illumination of 10800 lumens, which will give a very bright illumination for a given volume. It is important to monitor the balance of the entire ecosystem, and with an excess of light and the development of green microorganisms, it is necessary to reduce the overall intensity.

The cost of such a design can vary greatly, since in online stores from the Chinese, for example, and from more reputable companies, you can find LEDs and power supplies of the same quality. However, prices may differ significantly.

For self-installation of the backlight you will need:

set of led lamps
2-2.5 meters of plastic gutter 100 mm wide,
12 volt power supply, can be from a computer,
soft wire 1.5 mm,
preferably 6 computer coolers of 12 volts,
40 connector sockets for LEDs,
cutter for processing holes of 48 mm.

Along the length of the aquarium, we will cut 2 pieces of the gutter, in the bottom of which we drill holes, about 20 pieces per meter, placing them in a checkerboard pattern. We insert LED lamps into the holes and fix them.

All lamps must be connected to the power supply in parallel to the 12 volt power supply. For a competent connection, it is better to contact an electrician, since the wiring diagram may seem complicated for people who are not experts in the field of attaching lamps to connectors. Computer coolers or fans should be installed when there is a lot of evaporation or heating of the cover for lighting.

For decorative purposes, sometimes they make additional night illumination, such as moonlight. To do this, connect a little blue LED strip, which can be installed behind the back wall, but so that it is below the bottom of the aquarium. The electric timer will be able to turn it on when the daylight goes out.

Advantages and disadvantages of different aquarium lighting options

Let's determine what types of aquarium lighting exist and describe their features:

Illumination of the aquarium using incandescent lamps has already become yesterday. They heat up a lot, disrupting the thermal balance, and shine a little.
Illumination using fluorescent lamps solves the problem of light intensity, but does not fully provide the necessary spectrum of illumination.
Aquarium lighting using modern fitolamps fully provides both the intensity and the required spectrum of lighting. However, such lighting is very expensive and not everyone can afford it.
Aquarium LED lighting is a modern way of supplying light that is closest to natural light.

Benefits of LED Aquarium Lighting

Aquarium lighting with LEDs is a relatively new proposal. LEDs have important characteristics that make them leaders among lighting products today. The use of such lamps has many advantages.

They are very easy to install, due to the fact that the cartridges fit almost all types of plinths.
LED lamps are not afraid of water, therefore, the possibility of a short circuit is excluded. However, even in conditions of high humidity, these lighting devices function without interruption.
LED lamps designed to illuminate the aquarium are fireproof.
Such lamps do not emit heat during operation, which makes it possible to maintain a comfortable overall temperature of the aquarium, even if the lamps are operated throughout the day.
Depending on the length of daylight hours, the presence of natural light, you can change the brightness of the aquarium lighting yourself. In addition, it is possible to make the night lighting of the aquarium and observe the life of fish, admiring the amazing underwater pictures.

Important! The average life of one lamp is five years. Consequently, all this time there will be no need to replace components and you will not have to disturb the inhabitants of the aquarium. In addition, it must be said about energy savings (by about 70%). For these reasons, most aquarium owners prefer to light their aquariums with LED bulbs. The same qualities have special LED strips.

Safety and durability

Since LED lamps do not emit ultraviolet and infrared radiation, they are completely safe for absolutely all inhabitants of the aquarium. On the contrary, lighting the aquarium with LEDs has a positive effect on the color and health of the fish. In addition, due to the spectral composition of the rays, they contribute to the development of aquarium plants. In order to illuminate the aquarium as best as possible, you can combine different types of LED lamps. They can be installed in any conditions and in any premises.

Aquarium lighting with energy-saving lamps.

The same fluorescent, but adapted for use with cheap fittings for incandescent lamps. By default, the "starter" for the lamp is in the electronics of the lamp itself. If you are lucky with the manufacturer and the quality of electronics, the warranty period will last. If not, lighting the aquarium with energy-saving lamps will cease to function precisely because of breakdowns in cheap electronics.

Aquarium lighting spectrum. As for the spectrum, manufacturers are forced to put control electronics in each bulb, respectively, they are trying to save money on something else. Most often - on the phosphor.
Its quality is checked simply - the spectrum is ALWAYS present on the website of a reputable manufacturer. If it is not there, a regular CD will come to the rescue.
To determine the aquarium lighting spectrum, it is enough to look at the "rainbow" of the light of the tested lamp, reflected from the disk. If the “rainbow” is made up of individual colors, then the phosphor is cheap and is not suitable for lighting an aquarium. If the “rainbow” is continuous, then you (and your home pond) are lucky!
Ease of use - like incandescent lamps. Do not touch the flask with your fingers! But, with cheapness (the ratio: lighting for an aquarium - price), not everything is going smoothly, especially since lamps with a bad spectrum are often offered for substantial money (remember the trick with the “rainbow” reflected from the CD?)
Availability is great! Thanks to fittings from incandescent lamps and aggressive advertising of "economical" lamps.
In terms of electricity consumption, lighting an aquarium with energy-saving lamps is 2-3 times more economical and profitable than incandescent lamps. But in terms of service life - not always. It is better to prefer expensive products from well-known manufacturers with a guarantee.

For one liter of water, approximately half a watt of lamp power is desirable. That is, a hundred-liter aquarium will need fifty watts of fluorescent lighting (or a set of two or three energy-saving lamps of the same total power).

Aquarium lighting with fluorescent lamps.

Today, fluorescent aquarium lighting is the unofficial standard for home aquarium lighting. In any case, the vast majority of purchased aquariums are sold with fluorescent lighting.

This aquarium lighting uses an electrical discharge in a flask filled with mercury vapor. As a result, the aquarium is illuminated with ultraviolet light, which acts on a layer of a special phosphor substance. Here it is, depending on the composition, and emits "daylight" light with a small admixture of ultraviolet. And if you use special quartz glass for the bulb of a fluorescent lamp, you get a “tanning lamp”

There are two types of "daylight" lamps on the market - the so-called "cold" and "warm". Products marked D (LD, LDC, etc.) are poorly suited for aquarium lighting, as they have almost no red color in the spectrum. They are more used in industrial "state" premises. But lamps marked B (LB, LTB, etc.) are similar in spectrum to daylight and are well suited for aquarium lighting, both for fish and as aquarium lighting for plants.
High-quality fluorescent lamps are more expensive than incandescent lamps - both fittings and the lamps themselves. Better not be greedy and buy aquarium lighting with a reliable launcher. The fact is that in an attempt to conquer the market, manufacturers have developed inexpensive lamps for lighting the aquarium, which use cheap lamps with built-in "starters". But miracles do not happen, and you have to pay twice for the “savings” - such lamps do not last long, and it is the electronics “molded” from cheap components that deteriorate in the first place. So soon the repair of aquarium lighting will be provided.
The choice is large - both cheap and expensive solutions.
Fluorescent lamps almost do not heat up - they process most of the electrical energy into light and ultraviolet.

Such aquarium lighting is on average 2-3 times more economical than incandescent lamps.

Aquarium lighting with halogen lamps.

An improved version of the incandescent lamp. Iodine or bromine is added to the flask, which allows you to raise the temperature of the filament and extend the life of the lamp:

The spectrum of the lamps is also red-shifted, although less than that of conventional incandescent lamps. These lights are loved by photographers for their near-perfect color reproduction. Such aquarium lighting emits more ultraviolet light.
Halogen lamps are somewhat more expensive than their predecessors. Ease of use - at the level of incandescent lamps.
Accessibility for aquarium lighting is ideal.
Halogen lamps “recycle” more energy into light, but they still have an unnecessarily “hot” disposition and are not ideal as lamps for lighting an aquarium.

Aquarium lighting with incandescent lamps.

The oldest source of electric lighting. Let's analyze this type of lighting in more detail:

Proper aquarium lighting

As soon as lovers are imbued with the beauty of tropical fish. hedgehogs. starfish and live corals. then the first problem they have to solve is the problem of correct lighting. After all, both fish and reef dwellers need light. And for the latter, it is much more important. In order to choose the right lighting for an aquarium, fluorescent lamps are most often used in combination with actinic and metal halide lamps. But first things first.

Lighting in an aquarium has its own nuances. How much light do you need in a marine aquarium? Many factors influence this. The main ones are #8212 the volume of the reservoir, as well as its height. How are the dimensions of the reservoir and the power of the lamps related?

How to choose the right lamps

How to make aquarium lighting with your own hands? Quite often, fluorescent lamps are used in domestic ponds. To ensure the desired spectrum, they are supplemented with metal halides, but the latter convert a considerable part of the light radiation into heat. Therefore, they noticeably increase the temperature of the water and heat the lid of the aquarium (if it exists or is a built-in part of the aquarium cabinet). For the inhabitants of the underwater world, this is not very good. Actinics (blue lamps) are also used, separately adding the blue part of the spectrum. Usually, the calculation of aquarium lighting is quite simple. Take 1-1.5 W of power per liter of water if the reflectors are good, or 2 W per liter if they are weak. Be aware: if the lighting is not enough, then plants and corals will slow down the growth.

For example, a brown coating may appear on algae. consisting of microbacteria, and this leads to fish diseases and changes in water quality. Correct lighting will solve this problem if artificial and sunlight are well combined.

What lamps are best for an aquarium

Metal halide luminaire with built-in blue lamps

Many sources note that the best option is to use fluorescent lamps. They shine well, quite economical. They are connected by means of an electronic ballast, as well as a special device - a choke.

These days, most hobbyists prefer specialty fluorescent fixtures in combination with metal halides. At the same time, they are placed on the front wall of the reservoir.

In addition, special fluorescent aquarium lamps of different power with warm or daylight white light are also used. Installation is carried out complete with special reflectors. With the right lighting set up, fish will show a variety of all their colors, and corals will develop excellently.

Fluorescent lamps are economical, provide excellent lighting, and last a long time. As a disadvantage, it can be noted that they must be connected using a special device #8212 electronic ballast or choke.

Choice of lighting

T5 fluorescent lamps do a good job of lighting in an aquarium. In this case, special attention should be paid to their main indicators: color and power. Power can vary in the range of 8-56 W, while the length is 20-120 cm. It is important to know the following: 0.5 W of power should fall on 1 liter (at least) 1 cm in length - approximately 1 W of power corresponds.

In addition, T5 aquarium lamps have important characteristics such as brightness and color range. Properly selected spectrum will allow corals to grow and develop properly. In general, there are 2 maxima of light absorption. One is at the red-orange end of the spectrum, and the other is at the violet-blue end of the spectrum. In this case, the first one and a half times more effective than the second.

Thus, it is clear that the blue spectrum should be expressed more. Based on the fact that photosynthesis does not affect fish in any way, they do not care what kind of light you choose.

From the point of view of manufacturers, now on the market there are fixtures from such recognized names as Aqua Medic, Hailea, Reef Octopus, BLV.

Spectrum and types of fixtures

metal halide lamps

As mentioned earlier, the spectrum is of great importance in marine aquarium lighting. Typically, high-power fluorescent and metal halide lamps are used, having a light temperature of 10-20 thousand Kelvin. Unfortunately, they generate quite a lot of heat and are not suitable for small water bodies without cooling equipment. Since the increased temperature is not very useful for the inhabitants of your underwater world, it is sometimes more rational to purchase fluorescent lighting. In addition, fluorescent light is much more similar to sunlight. With it, the fish will look more colorful.

The more they can be built into the lid of the #8212 aquarium, the better, because there is no such thing as too much light. If you don't want metal halide lights, this will limit your choice of reef dwellers somewhat, but for most animals, T5 type lamps are fine.

Spectrum of T5 fluorescent lamps

Please note that the day length of the sea body of water should be 10-12 hours. It is also desirable to provide an 8-10 hour shading period. This is necessary because many inhabitants of the sea eat only darkness, so they will simply remain hungry. The easiest way is to connect the lighting system to the timer, thus ensuring the timely change of the time of day. Remember that luminaires with their ballasts should not, if possible, heat water.

In addition to the T5 series, T8 lamps are also on sale. What do these designations mean? T5 and T8 characterize the type of base. The differences lie in the length and power standards. At the same time, 2 types are distinguished: economical (HE) and powerful (HO). The latter have increased brightness and short length. In aquariums, HO is more often used, because they are compact and powerful. Another difference between T5 and T8 lamps is the temperature at which the maximum luminous flux is reached.

In this case, the maximum luminous flux for T5 is obtained at a temperature of +35 Celsius, and +25 degrees. #8212 for T8. It is also worth noting that the service life of T5 is longer than that of T8. It is 5 years with a loss of luminous flux of 20%. In T8, after a year, the light flux is halved.

The general conclusion is that T5 LED lamps are more durable, more powerful, they do not lose their luminous flux for a long time. T8 - thicker, cheaper and less heated.

Blue light in the aquarium

Pay special attention to lighting the pond at night when there is no natural sunlight. It is to solve this issue that blue fluorescent lamps can be used to create the required level of illumination with a certain spectrum. It is very important that the blue color in the spectrum penetrates deep enough into the water. Only invertebrates were able to adapt to limited lighting as a result of evolutionary selection. that live in reefs.

Spectrum of blue lamps T5 actinic

It is blue light that is optimal, it does not affect the fluorescent dyes of these animals. Blue, blue and moonlight in the aquarium allow you to create blue fluorescent lights, they are also actinics. Blue and blue light can enhance the blue coloration of fish, corals and other invertebrates. Intense radiation in the blue region of the spectrum has a beneficial effect on photosynthesis, as well as on invertebrates and deep-sea corals.

day length

In a pond where only fish live, a proportion of 3 W of lamp power per 4.5 liters is recommended. If you have herbs, then the lighting can be enhanced. If you have tropical or subtropical fish, then you should make daylight hours of 12 hours all year. For fish living far from the equator, it is necessary to lengthen the summer day, and make the winter day shorter. To facilitate this procedure, purchase a timer that will turn your lights on and off.

Plants and corals in aquarium lighting

The intensity of lighting in a coral tank depends on the coral species you have. Therefore, it is very important to know the lighting needs of plants before the time when you decide to have them in your house. There are many easy-care plants and animals that can live in an aquarium even without artificial light. But there are also quite demanding corals that require special lighting because they need intense fluorescent light to grow successfully. In general, professional aquarium maintenance is often ordered to resolve such issues.

With species that grow near the surface of the water, and even in clear tropical waters, be especially careful. In addition, algae that produces red leaves will not like very bright light.

For hobbyists who keep corals, a powerful light output is required, not even all fluorescent fixtures can cope with this. This task will be successfully performed by metal halides.

There are also corals living at medium depths. They don't need bright light. Usually choose corals that live near the surface of the water in the bright tropical sun, because they are colorful and picturesque. In addition, such corals live in symbiosis with green algae, which carry out the process of photosynthesis.

However, as a rule, home waters are almost always under-lit compared to their natural environment, so hobbyists try to provide as much light as possible to approach the light level of an ocean reef.

Night illumination

Night is a time of natural activity for many animals. As a rule, nocturnal fish species begin to hunt after dark. For a better observation of their life, night lighting of the aquarium is required. To solve this problem, it is recommended to use low power blue light lamps. They will illuminate the underwater inner world, perfectly imitating the natural light of the moon. Such a spectrum will allow you to create optimal hunting conditions for your pets. In addition, a blue aquarium lamp will provide an opportunity to stimulate reproduction in some fish that have difficulty breeding in captivity.

Do-it-yourself aquarium lighting with LED strip.

Lighting an aquarium with LED strip is one of the most energy-efficient and, importantly, safe ways to light an aquarium. Of all the types of LED aquarium lighting, LED strip lighting is the best.

The advantages of such lighting:

LED strip is energy efficient, aquarium lighting with LED strip is the most economical type of lighting.
This aquarium lighting is safe. The voltage of the power supply supplying the LED strip for the aquarium is 12 volts, this voltage is safe not only for people, but also for the flora and fauna of your aquarium.
Adjustment of a light stream. You can always add or remove the brightness of the lighting, so you can adjust any ice lighting for the aquarium.
Can be used as additional lighting. For an aquarium with plants, additional aquarium lighting is often required. From the LED strip you get excellent LED lighting for an aquarium with plants with your own hands, both basic and additional.
Diode aquarium lighting in various colors. Although it is recommended to use white LED strips for aquarium lighting, this does not negate the fact that in nature there are various colors and types of LED strips.
Ease of installation. The LED strip is very easy to mount on the aquarium due to the adhesive backing of the tape.
Possibility to mount the LED strip as aquarium lighting under water, due to tightness and IP65 protection class.

To make do-it-yourself LED strip aquarium lighting, you will need a 12-volt power supply, 5 meters of LED strip (1 reel), the power consumption of the strip is 9.5 watts per meter.

In total, our lighting for the aquarium cost about $ 50, the price of one reel of tape, IP65 protection class, is $ 25, the power supply is $ 20. Our aquarium took 2.2 meters of light tape.

We isolated the place of cutting and connection of the LED strip with the power supply using a transparent sealant, and glued it to the lid of the aquarium so that there was no contact with water and the filtration system. As a result, we have an enviable aquarium with a filter and lighting.

We used the rest of the tape stock to illuminate the computer system unit.

STONES FOR AQUARIUM TYPES DESCRIPTION PHOTO DESIGN DESIGN VIDEO.

ROUND AQUARIUM - DESIGN CARE DESIGN PHOTO VIDEO.

WHAT IS AQUARIUM AND SHOULD I START IT?

A SMALL AQUARIUM AND EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT IT.

A sea wedding is unthinkable without these beautiful creations of nature - corals. But natural corals are quite expensive, and not everyone can afford them, especially in the amount necessary for a full-fledged wedding decoration. An inexpensive and very simple replacement for them is papier-mâché artificial corals. How to make them yourself from improvised means, you will learn from this master class.

Necessary materials:

- Toilet paper
- Flour
- Talc or baby powder
— Wire
- Paper tape
- A bowl
- PVA glue, salt, rice, structural paste, acrylic paint (optional)

Step-by-step instruction:

1. The first stage is the preparation of papier-mâché. Take half a roll of toilet paper and soak it in a bowl with hot water. After a few minutes, drain the water and tear the paper mass into small pieces. Add 3/4 cup flour and a little talcum powder (or baby powder) to the bowl. PVA glue does not need to be added - the mass should be loose. Mix well, you can use a mixer.

Note: papier-mâché does not have to be made on your own - you can buy a blank. However, please note that the consistency of the resulting paste may differ from that which is necessary in this case.

2. We twist a “branch” out of wire, thicker is better – at least two layers.

3. Paste the "branch" with paper tape.

4. We cover the "branch" of papier-mâché. We do this in several stages with intermediate drying. The mass does not need to be smoothed - let the surface remain uneven. In the last layer, until it is dry, we make indentations with a wooden stick - we imitate the pores of coral.

You can leave the coral as it is, or you can smear it with PVA glue and roll it in coarse salt or rice, cover it with structural paste or acrylic paint - depending on what effect you want to achieve. Experiment!

A fantastic idea is to create corals with your own hands. Coral decor will bring pleasant memories of your vacation to your home: the aroma of the sea, the sound of the surf, the creak of sand on the beach, the warmth of the southern sun. To create a coral, you will need: wire, pliers, a glue gun, white and red acrylic paint, a brush, a wooden block for a stand and a piece of glass.

Red corals

Cut nine pieces of wire of different lengths from 10 to 40 centimeters. Fold them in half. Cover the wire with glue, skipping some areas, creating natural bumps. When the glue is dry, paint everything with red acrylic paint. Then collect the blanks in one bundle and twist with wire. Attach the red corals to the stand with the same glue.

white corals

Here you will need three pieces of wire from 30 to 35 centimeters long. Fasten them together, bend them a little and put them on the glass. Here you can use another material, the main thing is that the glue does not stick to the surface. Cover the wire with glue. Now apply vertical stripes and a few horizontal ones for stability. When the glue dries, turn the workpiece over and repeat the process to get a thick branch. Paint with white acrylic paint and glue to the stand. Corals are ready!

After spending a vacation at sea, there is a desire to surround yourself with something in a marine style. Shells, starfish, corals, pearls, amber, sand poured into various containers... marine-style interiors are often decorated with "sea treasures" brought from the sea, bought at a resort or made by oneself. In any room, photographs or paintings on a marine theme can hang on the walls. All this allows us not to forget about a happy and serene rest for a long time. If you already have shell topiary or paintings with frames made of snags in your interior, I suggest you complement the compositions with homemade corals made of wire and papier mache or a sea sponge made from masking tape

We watch master classes and get inspired by creativity in decorating the interior in a marine style) And to make work more fun, I suggest you watch some interesting movie. On the site for cinephiles, in the online cinema kinoak.ru, you can watch et movies online in excellent quality, without registration. There are films of absolutely any genre, for the most different age categories. The best films of all times and peoples, thrillers, comedies, horrors, dramas and melodramas, historical films, science fiction, series, TV shows and much more - in the online cinema you will find everything to have a good time and cheer up all your family members)

To create a sea sponge, we need masking tape and scissors. Cut the tape into strips

We take cardboard or a board for the base and draw a circle on it, along which we will "collect" our sea sponge

We twist the strips of tape into tubes, of which our sea miracle will consist

We lay the tubes tightly to each other

Row by row we form a sea sponge

Like this. It can be used as a night light, table lamp shade

To create corals, we need wire, half a roll of toilet paper, PVA glue, 3/4 cup flour, paper tape, talc or PVA glue

Soaking toilet paper in hot water

Add the flour to the softened toilet paper and mix well. We add talc or PVA glue, whichever is more convenient for work) From the wire we form the basis for the coral

We wrap the wire base with paper tape and sculpt our finished papier mache on it.

If you want to make a large coral, then papier mache needs to be applied several times, with intermediate drying. Do not try to smooth the mass if you do not want to get a regular branch. The final semi-dry layer must be poked with a wooden skewer, thereby making indentations that mimic the natural pores of coral. After the sculpture has completely dried, you can cover it with PVA glue and roll it in coarse salt. You can also use a liquid gypsum solution, structural paste, furniture or construction putty, acrylic paint for coating, fixing this layer with a special acrylic varnish. Here everything will depend on the desired result - you can create a coral aged by time and water, freshly cut or dried in the sun

Based on materials houserevivals.blogspot.com/2012/06/how-to-make-faux-coral.html

Red corals

white corals

Thanks to Ama Ryllis, ohohblog, for the original idea and

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