10 Best Tank Build Types for 10-gallon Freshwater Aquariums

“Nano aquarium" is a term that is used to describe a smaller aquarium. Sometimes they are created as plant-only tanks, but they can also support freshwater invertebrates or a small fish (or more, depending on their size). Fish suitable for nano aquariums can include Dwarf Gouramis Trichogaster lalia, among others. Freshwater invertebrates suitable for nano aquariums can include Nerite Snails Nerita sp.

Nano aquariums use the same systems as larger aquariums do, but with components that are sized specifically for nano aquariums. For hobbyists interested in these nano components, LiveAquaria® supplies pumps, lights, cleaners, skimmers, and other products for those interested in this niche hobby.

Like children themselves, hobbyists can let their imagination run wild when they start planning a small aquarium for children. Because options can be limited by tank size, selections must be made strategically.

For hobbyists looking to add bright color and a lot of activity to a small aquarium to delight children, bright neon GloFish® Gymnocorymbus sp. are perfect options because they are small and provide a lot of viewing pleasure.

A companion to GloFish® can be a female Betta splendens, that is small and has a peaceful temperament and an easy care level. Compatibility charts are great resources for those looking to create a small community tank.

A specimen tank is one in which there are one or more forms of life (plant, invert, fish), with one specific, individual fish that is highlighted in the aquarium. The specimen can be a fish that stands out because of its size, color, pattern, or other distinguishing features.

Examples of small specimen fish suitable for an aquarium 10 gallons or less could include the transparent Green Kubotai Rasbora Rasbora kubotai, with internal organs visible to the viewer, or the Gold Mickey Mouse Platy Xiphophorus maculatus with an iridescent black tail contrasting against a bright orange body with a small blue spot behind its eyes.

Small species-only aquariums are ideal ways to spotlight a specific species of aquatic life. For a fish-only species, hobbyists include only one fish species in the tank. Betta-only tanks are one example of a single species freshwater aquarium. Extensive captive breeding has produced a wide variety of beautiful fancy Betta Betta splendens options that are available to the home aquarist. Betta are highly prized because of their highly colored bodies and showy fins.

There are small LiveAquaria® Betta Aquarium Kits that are created specifically for the housing of Bettas.

Guppy-only tanks are popular. There are Fancy Guppies that have been captive-bred for very ornamental colors, patterns, and showy fins. The male Blue Cobra Guppy Poecilia reticulata is particularly striking with a snakeskin-like pattern over its body in iridescent shades of black, blue and orange. In addition to the Blue Cobra Guppy, there are many Fancy Guppies Poecilia reticulata varieties now available to home aquarists that would be good options for a Guppy-only freshwater aquarium.

Yes! Small aquariums with a lot of viewing pleasure can be creating using freshwater inverts and plants.

Shrimp are logical choices for invert-only aquariums. They add biodiversity to aquariums, as well as interest, movement, and color. They also perform beneficial algae eating functions. For those looking for a really beautiful shrimp option, consider the ornamental Blue Glaze Shrimp that provides a pleasing pop of color with its light blue body with a sprinkling of dark blue dots and darker markings on its head, abdomen, and tail. Hobbyists who create shrimp-only invert tanks have the ability to use systems that contain all necessary components.

In addition to shrimp, there are other interesting freshwater invertebrates from which to choose, such as Freshwater Clams Corbicual sp. and the Zebra Nerita Snail Neritina sp. Be sure to provide plenty of plants or other hiding spaces when putting together your freshwater aquarium as many inverts prefer to hide when introduced to an unfamiliar environment.

Ideal for a small freshwater aquarium, LiveAquaria® has compiled a group of compatible invertebrates and made them available as a kit for convenience.

If you are looking for a truly unique small freshwater aquarium, consider creating one with Dwarf African Frogs Hymenochirus curtipes, that have easy care requirements. Because of their small size, they can be seen as food if housed with large fish. Aquascape should consist of a soft or smooth substrate and lots of live plants, driftwood, and rocks to provide ample places for the Dwarf African Frog to seek shelter or explore. A tight-fitting aquarium cover is needed to prevent an unwanted escape.

Since the Dwarf African Frog is mainly active at night, subdue or filtered lighting provides ideal daytime lighting conditions. The Dwarf African Frog is social in nature and will appreciate the company of other Dwarf African Frogs. A small group consisting of three Dwarf African Frogs creates a lively and entertaining setup.

Although most aquarists keep aquariums for the viewing pleasure of aquatic life, a plant only small aquarium can introduce a beginner to the freshwater aquarium industry. Or it may be an excellent way for a marine aquarium enthusiast to experiment with and grow their knowledge of freshwater plants. In any respect, hobbyists can create interesting small aquariums with a lot of vegetative diversity. It comes with the added benefit of not having to find someone to feed it when you are gone!

Popular freshwater plants are usually selected for where they are placed in the aquarium: foreground, mid-ground, or background. There are also Aquarium Plant Packs that contain options for all levels of the aquarium. These tanks can be maintained as plant-only aquariums or may become a starting point for adding compatible aquatic life at a later date.

Hobbyists can create a small, themed aquarium that can bring enjoyment to their everyday lives. Some ideas could include color-themed aquariums, aquariums that only house neon fish, or fish with metallic colors (such as gold or silver), or a multitude of other themes. Any of these small themed freshwater aquariums could be a conversation starter.

Keeping in mind that maintaining aquatic life is a responsibility, we must ensure that ideal aquarium requirements are met for the aquatic life we select, and that compatibility guidelines are followed. With these being met, there can be a multitude of ways themed aquariums can be created and maintained to bring enjoyment to the home aquarist.

Somewhere between freshwater and saltwater aquariums lives the brackish water hobby of aquarium keeping.

For those interested in creating a brackish water aquarium, Fiddler Crabs Uca sp. are good choices because they are small, hardy, and easy to care for when ideal tank conditions are maintained. The Fiddler Crab originates from the brackish, inter-tidal mud flats, lagoons, and swamps of Florida and as such requires some salt in the water in order for it to thrive.

In addition, they are fun to watch because they are energetic. For more interest and viewing pleasure, consider housing a group of three.

Small aquariums can pack a lot of interest and color into their small size, whether they are housed with fish, invertebrates, plants, or a combination of the three.