Fish are such a tranquil addition to a small space - offering color, calming water, and a bit of entertainment as well. But, where can we find a fish tank/stand that fits a more modern design setting?
Thanks,
Lisa
Dear Lisa,
For starters, it seems that most of the modern fish stands and bowls we've seen are quite small, for one or a couple of fish. If you are looking for a larger tank, we are guessing the search could be a bit trickier.
What we did find on our first stop for modern pets was this hanging fish pod (left) over at Postmodern Pets (argh, currently out of stock) and this series of modern fish pods from Plushpod (lucite, $35 each, pictured above).
Any readers with fish know the pod/tank/stand market a little better?
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Actually, especially with the Japanese influence, tanks and stands have gotten very clean and modern in the past few years.
Locally, if you can, find a local fish store that isn't the standard Petco, etc. If they cater to aquatic plant fishkeepers or if it is asian-run they are more likely to have the cleaner tank designs. (And the aquatic plantscapes, ie. live plants, these days are very modern and asian-inspired, if you think you might like that).
Online, check out http://aquaforestaquarium.com/ (in San Francisco) and http://www.aquariumdesigngroup.com/ (Houston, TX)- the US distributers for Aqua Design Amano. The frameless tanks are particularly sexy. (Although hard to ship).
And check out http://www.adana.co.jp/index_e.php and the Aquatic Gardeners Association www.aquatic-gardeners.org if you want to be inspired.
Lastly- please *don't* use those tiny pod tanks! The smaller tanks are harder to keep healthy, and it is much more likely that the fish won't survive. (Less oxygen for the fish, higher proportion of waste per amount of water volume, etc). Tiny tanks like that are challenging even for experienced fishkeepers.
Also google and check out "biorb" and "nano cube".
clarification- the frameless tanks are really sexy in person, even though it isn't obious from the pics on the webpages...!
Funny - I have been looking for over a YEAR, for a 36" tall/10" dia.Glass Cylinder-that I can use as a "Fish Column"- for Koi- decorative Goldfish. I've tried floral Display Houses (Kennicot on Ashland Avenue) , Lab Supply,H.S. Chemistry Supply (Carolina Biological Supply Company- very cool catalog.) etc. No luck.
Anyone wanna tell me I'm crazy?
There's a cool British product- called the Bio Orb-http://www.bi-orb.com/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_The_Bi_Orb_14.html- very MOD
...also,
at Pagoda Red on N.Damen, they have a huge ceramic vessel/planter/"pot" with a pump and some very happy Koi looking fishes swimming around. I never thought much about a "non-transparent" fish tank- but it certainly "works" there.
How cruel ... living creatures as home accessories.
"The smaller tanks are harder to keep healthy, and it is much more likely that the fish won't survive."
Is this true for bettas? I thought they were usually kept in bowls this small.
Those exact bubble hanging fish tanks are available at http://www.collectionsetc.com/Item76102.aspx
9.99 , a lot cheaper than 35 bucks a crack.
Betta's will do fine in small bowls but do keep these on INTERIOR walls, temp fluctuation on outside walls is bad for fish.
Makes a nice flower vase.
I agree with Holland. I have maintained aquariums, both freshwater and saltwater, for the majority of my life and I would never recommend these fishbowls or the table versions to anyone. It's cruel and detrimental. It's the equivalent to putting a human in a white padded room in an insane asylum just because you enjoy watching its behavior.
Its true that bettas can be kept in bowls and they can live like that for a while, but its not how they live in the wild nor is their quality of life great. Bettas dont breathe air as many people believe. They can however supplement their respiration by taking in air bubbles when conditions deem them to do just to survive. These fish are commonly found in stagnant ponds of water and in the rice paddies of Southeast Asia, and due to evolution they have developed this trait in cases of emergency where the water is not aerated enough to sufficiently provide them with oxygenated water. If they were forced to due this for the remainder of their life, they will surely perish.
If your home or lifestyle doesnt allow you to keep a larger aquarium, I highly recommend the nanocubes and nanopods that are small enough to be kept on desks, tables and counters. It has an advanced filtration system and everything that you need to maintain a saltwater or freshwater aquarium. They are cute, small, require minimal maintenance and will provide your fish with a great quality of life, provided that you do not overstock the aquarium. Its a great solution for a modern home and the designs of these nano-tanks are very sleek and modern as well.
You can find them at www.jbjlighting.com
R.K. (looking for a column tank)-
Circular tanks are harder to make, and the circularity will distort the viewing, which is why they are harder to find. It will probably have to be acrylic (which will also show the distortion more).
That being said, http://www.glasscages.com/ might have them or be able to cutom make one for you. Or tell you where to find one, if not. I haven't ordered from them myself, but have heard from others who have.
I think I have also seen something like you are looking for, sold as oversized floor vases. Can't remember where I saw them however. Maybe someone else here can remember.
One other thing to keep in mind- with a tall narrow tank like that you shouldn't keep many fish. Despite the water volume, it only has a small surface area for the oxygen exchange. I would also say that your koi choice might not be ideal- they tend to swim on one level, so most of your tank won't have fish swimming in it. Also they tend to grow very large, and koi and goldfish produce a lot of waste compared to other fish. Dwarf puffers, although harder to keep, would be pretty neat in a tall tank. In general, fish with narrower leaner bodiest will want to swim mostly horizontal (and thus would be less interesting in a tall narrow tank.
you know as much as people on here seem to be concerned w/ living green, i'm kinda shocked at the idea that an animal would be considered no more than a sort of colorful flower in a pretty pod vase. i know these guys need less room than most fish, but the idea of pets as decor is disturbing.
Do I need to leave the light on for my fish at night or do I need to turn them off?
Have you ever thought of an aquarium that is a piece of furniture as well? We bought an aquarium that is a coffee table from http://www.ILikeFurniture.com/aquariums.html
They have several different aquariums to choose from. They even offer a Headboard that is an aquarium.
Fish sleep, turn it off.
Search Metatank on Ebay. It's chrome and slate and mid-century modern. I have one and it' great. The slate bottom doesn't need pebbles and grows its own algae, which is healthy for the fish.
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