New AquaArt aquariums from Tetra

Tetra is the latest manufacturer to enter the already crowded small aquarium market with its new AquaArt range of aquarium kits, which were launched at this year's Glee trade show.

The new AquaArt aquariums come in two sizes, a 30 litre coldwater model and a 60 litre tropical freshwater version, and has a modern silver trim and canopy. Each includes built-in lighting and incorporate a Tetra Easycrystal internal power filter, which attaches to a rail on the top edge of the aquarium trim.

Rupert Bridges of Tetra told Practical Fishkeeping: "The key to these is the research that's gone into them. What we didn't want to do was just bring in another aquarium from a Far East factory line for our first foray into this market.

"So the important thing for us was to do a large amount of consumer research across Europe to find out what new and potential fishkeepers wanted in an aquarium, and what they liked and disliked, what shapes and what colours they wanted, and what particular features they wanted, and what the right price was. And what you've got here is the result of that."

Tetra says that the AquaArt has already won an international design award, and features a number of additions designed to make maintenance simple. Cleaning the filter, for example, is as simple as lifting a flap at the rear and replacing the cartridge from above, with no need to remove the hood itself.

Said Bridges: "The whole basis of this filter system is the replacement cartridge concept. You have got some permanent media for bacteria, which is based on ceramic media in the base on the large model and a foam strip in the smaller version.

"The majority of the media is mechanical and there is also some carbon in there. You simply replace these once each month. In the research, consumers really liked this idea."

The larger 60 litre model has a slot in the filter chamber to house a heater which comes with the aquarium. The top trim of the tank is fitted with a ridge to prevent condensation and spills running down the outside glass of the tank, and the rear of the tank has a clever series of bars to allow electrical cables to be fed into the tank without the need to cut a hole in the hood.

"Everything about the AquaArt has been designed by the consumer. Each model comes with booklets explaining how to set up the aquarium, as well as a DVD. The response has been great. I think that the trade likes the idea that we have researched it properly, so it gives them a bit of confidence that it's what consumers want."

Practical Fishkeeping online currently has a 60-litre AquaArt on long-term test.