Vivarium

A vivarium is essentially a small enclosed glass or acrylic tank used by researchers to study plants and animals. However, the word is often interchangeably used with a small aquarium or a fish tank. An acrylic vivarium is light in weight but may get scratched if proper care is not taken. The size of a vivarium is important. This depends on the place where this small "owned" water body is to be kept. A big vivarium is easy to maintain and can house more fishes. A tank can be as big as 55 gallons. Experts recommend a 20- to 30-gallon vivarium for amateurs. A vivarium has to have a hood and a stand. Preferably the stand should match the footprint of the aquarium. Most hoods come with inbuilt lighting. If a hood does not have lighting, then the owner needs to create a source of lighting for the vivarium.

A vivarium essentially needs a filter system, which can be chosen from three basic kinds: biological, mechanical and chemical. Ideally, a vivarium should have a filter with a combination of biological and mechanical. A chemical filter is needed only in cases where the water supplied contains chemical adulterations. A vivarium also looks beautiful if it only contains plants. Some people prefer to keep dried plants or feign ones in their vivariums.