Selection Guide: Desktop Aquariums

	Studies conducted in recent years confirm what seems obvious to most of us: a comfortable, stimulating, and pleasing working environment can significantly improve employee productivity, creativity, and overall job satisfaction.

As a result, more employers than ever are taking measures to enhance work areas by bringing in plants, adding windows to provide natural lighting, and giving employees more flexibility to personalize their work spaces to their individual preferences.

Not surprisingly, there has been a tremendous surge in the number of aquariums appearing in offices and on the corner of desks in cubicles. Well aware of the stress-relieving benefits aquariums provide, hobbyists are bringing their passion to work, and their passion is spreading. Once an aquarium is set up in the workplace, it won't be long before others start appearing on co-workers' desks.

"They're great conversation starters and encourage people to come by to see the fish or to talk about their own aquariums. It's a great way to share information with new hobbyists and discover other people who share your same interest.

From simple to sublime
One of the driving forces behind the increasing number of office aquariums is convenience. Many manufacturers are now offering complete aquarium kits which consolidate components like lighting and the filtration system under one compact hood design. Ideal for beginning aquarists as well as more seasoned hobbyists who may want to experiment with different species or set-ups, all-in-one systems like the popular Eclipse System 12 model are extremely easy to set up and maintain.

Eclipse systems and other aquarium kits are available in a range of sizes - from 1-1/2 gallons to 28 gallons - and come equipped with the same lighting systems and filters previously available only in larger setups.

And then, of course, there are those who want the challenge of building a system that rivals their home aquarium, only in a smaller version. Beautiful reef displays are certainly possible in smaller aquariums, but are recommended only for the most advanced aquarists since the limited gallon capacity allows very little room for error.

Which Desktop Aquarium is Right for Me?