Aquariums are often associated with dental or medical offices as a way to calm anxious patients. But did you know that aquariums can also provide significant benefits within hospital environments? Research indicates that watching colorful fish swimming peacefully can lower blood pressure and heart rates in patients, visitors and staff. Aquariums may even speed up healing in some cases.
What is Hospital Aquarium?
Hospital aquariums are specially designed fish tanks installed in medical settings to provide therapeutic benefits for patients, visitors, and staff. These aquariums typically contain calm, hardy fish species and live plants, with sophisticated filtration to ensure cleanliness. The tranquil underwater scenes create a relaxing environment in high-stress hospital areas. Watching the peaceful swimming motions can lower anxiety and blood pressure in patients. The vibrant tanks also serve as positive distractions during treatment and give immobile patients sensory stimulation.
How to Set Up a Hospital Aquarium?
Setting up and maintaining an aquarium requires careful planning and regular maintenance, however. Hospital aquariums have unique requirements compared to home aquariums. You’ll need to source special equipment and pick fish species that can withstand inconsistencies in lighting, noise, and feeding schedules. Following best practices will ensure your hospital’s aquarium provides tranquility without creating additional work for healthcare staff.
Here is a step-by-step table for setting up a hospital aquarium:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Choose a large, quiet tank with low-noise filtration suitable for a healthcare environment. |
| 2 | Select hardy, calm freshwater fish species that can handle variations in water parameters and low maintenance. |
| 3 | Add soft silk plants, smooth rocks, and driftwood for an attractive naturalistic look requiring minimal trimming. |
| 4 | Use a high-quality heater and thermometer to maintain a stable optimal temperature for the fish species. |
| 5 | Install low-profile aquarium lighting on timers to automatically provide a soothing day/night cycle. |
| 6 | Cycle the tank fully before adding any fish to stabilize water parameters and establish healthy bacteria. |
| 7 | Acclimate fish slowly to the new tank and monitor conditions closely in the early weeks to ensure a healthy ecosystem. |
| 8 | Maintain consistent weekly water changes, testing, and filter cleaning using aquarium water test kits. |
| 9 | Disinfect decor before placement and properly treat any algae or disease issues immediately to prevent contamination risks. |
| 10 | Position the tank in a well-lit area for maximum visibility and relaxation benefits for patients and visitors. |
Choosing Suitable Fish Species
When selecting fish, opt for hardy, peaceful varieties that don’t require precise water parameters or regular feedings. Some great options include:
- Guppies: These small, vibrant fish feature in many hospital tanks. They adapt well to varying conditions and get along with other peaceful community fish.
- Platies: Larger than guppies, platies offer bright colors and flowing fins to captivate viewers. They breed easily as well.
- Mollies: Another hardy livebearer fish that tolerates wide temperature and water condition ranges. Black mollies provide a striking contrast.
- Corydoras Catfish: These bottom-feeding catfish scavenge for leftovers. Their active movements across tank floors entertain observers. They thrive in groups of 6 or more and help clean substrate.
- Plecostomus: Useful algae-eating fish that grow quite large, up to 15 inches. However, their size and sucking mouths never fail to fascinate both children and adults.
Avoid aggressive fish like cichlids or goldfish requiring more complex space and water parameters. Stock 1 inch of fish per 1-2 gallons of water, with extra filtration to handle fish waste and prevent disease outbreaks.
Choosing Suitable Equipment
The right aquarium setup makes maintaining your hospital tank much simpler. Opt for:
- Large Tank: Aim for 10+ gallons. This dilutes waste and reduces water parameter fluctuations.
- Deep substrate and live plants: Sand or small gravel substrate allows waste to filter through instead of settling on the bottom. Match with low-light plants like Java fern and Anubias species to absorb nitrates.
- Overfiltered: Use a filter rated for 2-3X the tank size and change filter cartridges monthly. This prevents harmful bacteria blooms. Consider adding air stones for maximum oxygenation too.
- Automatic fish feeder: Sets consistent feeding times without staff effort. Feed fish no more than they can consume within 5 minutes, 1-2X daily.
- Timer and auto-lights: Ensures consistent 14 hours of daytime lighting for fish health and viewer enjoyment.
Aquarium Size and Location
Hospital aquariums should be sizable enough for easy viewing but also fit the intended location. Standard 10 or 20 high gallon tanks generally work well for pediatrics or waiting areas, while 40-50 gallon breeders offer stunning underwater scenes for large lobbies or community spaces. Custom-built curved acrylic tanks provide the most immersive experience.
Site aquariums away from drafts or direct sunlight to prevent rapid temperature changes. Allow open access for visitors of all heights and abilities — wheelchair-height and wall-mounted tanks enable bedbound patients to participate too. Place tanks where they can be easily appreciated but don’t obstruct staff duties or patient care.
Caring for a Hospital Aquarium
While aquariums require some specialized supplies and knowledge, fishkeeping fundamentals aren’t overly complex. Consistent basic maintenance prevents most issues. Assign cleaning duties to volunteers or non-medical staff so doctors and nurses can focus fully on patients.
Follow these care guidelines to keep your tank thriving with minimal effort:
- Test water parameters weekly and perform 10-15% water changes if nitrates exceed 20 ppm.
- Wipe down tank walls with an algae scraper monthly to maintain crystal clear viewing.
- Prune plants and vacuum substrate every 2-3 months when doing water changes.
- Supplement feedings with algae wafers, blanched vegetables or bottom-feeder pellets to vary nutrition.
Your local aquarium store can provide specific instructions for your tank inhabitants. But overall, choosing suitable hardy species and equipment prevents most disease or water quality issues.
The Benefits of Aquarium Therapy
Installing an aquarium offers a valuable therapeutic supplement to traditional medical treatments. Research shows that viewing aquariums can provide measurable benefits for patients, visitors and staff, including:
- Lowered blood pressure and heart rate
- Reduced perception of pain
- Improved mood
- Increased overall sense of wellbeing
In one study involving dental patients, individuals who watched a wall-mounted aquarium during treatment reported less anxiousness and discomfort overall. Exposure to aquariums may even accelerate healing times after surgeries or procedures by reducing patient stress levels.
Here is a table summarizing the key features and benefits of hospital aquariums:
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Calming | Watching fish swim can lower anxiety, blood pressure, and heart rate. The tranquil environment helps distract from stress. |
| Engaging | The aquarium provides visual interest and something positive for patients to focus on during treatment. Interacting with the fish can lift moods. |
| Sensory stimulation | The soothing sights and sounds stimulate the senses for bedridden or immobile patients. |
| Focal point | A large aquarium can serve as a centerpiece in lobbies or waiting areas. The mesmerizing movement captures attention. |
| Conversation starter | Fish tanks are an easy common topic for patients, visitors, and staff to connect over. |
| Low maintenance | Self-cleaning aquariums with hardy fish require minimal upkeep from busy hospital staff. |
| Infection control | Proper aquarium hygiene prevents pathogen risks to vulnerable patients in a healthcare setting. |
Aquariums also humanize impersonal hospital environments. They spark friendly conversations that strengthen social connections vital to patient recovery and caregiver resilience.
For hospital visitors, the calming effects help minimize turbulent emotions that can interfere with medical decisions or patient care. And aquariums give staff pleasant mental breaks during stressful workloads.
With proper selection and care, a hospital aquarium generates positivity and healing for the entire healthcare community. The initial investment pays continuous dividends over time to directly support your organization’s therapeutic mission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I put the aquarium?
Site tanks in open waiting areas, children’s wings, community spaces or other locations with heavy foot traffic. They should be easily viewed but not block hallways or patient rooms. Wall mount or place on sturdy stands with rounded corners if needed to maximize safety.
Do aquariums require special electrical support?
Most standard tanks under 100 gallons only need a typical household electrical outlet to plug in all components. Custom acrylic tanks may require upgrades — check with manufacturers to confirm electrical needs before installation.
How often does tank maintenance need to be done?
Test water parameters weekly and perform 10-15% water changes whenever nitrates exceed 20 ppm to maintain water quality. Wipe down tank walls monthly and vacuum substrate every 2-3 months when doing water changes. More stable hospital tanks may require less frequent cleaning than home aquariums.
What type of fish should I add?
Choose hardy, peaceful community species like guppies, platies, mollies or corydoras catfish that tolerate a wide range of water conditions. Avoid aggressive fish or delicate species with precise environmental needs. Stock 1 inch of fish per 1-2 gallons and overfilter to prevent disease issues.
Conclusion
Aquariums provide extensive benefits within hospital settings that directly support recuperation, mental health and community connectedness. While maintaining a successful tank requires some specialized equipment and regular care, the basics are straightforward for non-aquarist staff and volunteers. Dedicating a stunning custom-built aquarium demonstrates your organization’s commitment to patient wellbeing through alternative therapies like aquarium zen.
By following best practices for tank inhabitants and upkeep, your hospital’s new aquarium will provide tranquility for years to come.
