When I started planning my little pond in the north, I knew from the beginning that I wanted something a little different. The challenge was not only building an aquarium that would work well for fish, shrimp, snails, and plants — it also had to fit naturally into my home.

Living in a small apartment means that every centimeter matters. I searched for ready-made aquariums, but I quickly discovered that finding exactly the right size was almost impossible. Most aquariums were either too wide, too deep, or simply did not fit the space I had available.

So instead of compromising, I decided to order a custom-made aquarium.

The aquarium was made through a Finnish company called Akvaariolinna, and I was really happy that they were able to provide exactly the dimensions I was looking for. It allowed me to create something that fits perfectly into my home — almost like the aquarium was always meant to be there.

The final size is a little unusual. The aquarium is 50 centimeters wide, 40 centimeters high, and only 25 centimeters deep.

The height is probably the most interesting part. For an aquarium this size, 40 centimeters is quite tall. Many smaller aquariums are lower and wider, but I wanted to create more vertical space. The extra height gives room for taller plants, different layers, and a feeling of depth when looking through the glass.

At the same time, the depth is smaller than usual. Many similar aquariums are around 30 centimeters deep or more, but those extra centimeters made a big difference in my apartment. By keeping the depth at 25 centimeters, the aquarium fits beautifully on my bookcase without taking over the room.

And I have to say — I am really, really pleased with the result.

One of the most important choices was the glass itself. Instead of standard aquarium glass, I chose OptiWhite glass.

So what makes OptiWhite different?

Normal glass is actually not completely clear. Because of the iron content inside the glass, it usually has a slight green tint. You might not always notice it when looking straight through a thin piece of glass, but the effect becomes much more visible with thicker glass or when looking at the edges.

OptiWhite is a special low-iron glass. By reducing the amount of iron, the glass becomes much clearer and more transparent. The colors inside the aquarium look more natural — the greens of the plants, the bright colors of the fish, and the small details of the underwater world appear closer to how they really are.

For me, this was especially important because this is not just a container for fish. It is something I look at every day. It is a living picture inside my home.

The aquarium is still very new, but now the first week is behind us.

And honestly, I am surprised how smoothly everything has gone.

Before starting, I expected some challenges. Every aquarium owner knows that the beginning can sometimes bring surprises — water issues, plants struggling, equipment adjustments, or animals needing time to settle.

But so far, everything has gone as planned.

The plants are growing, the shrimp are exploring, the snails are moving around, and the Endlers seem happy. There has even been an unexpected surprise: two tiny Endler babies have appeared already.

It is amazing how quickly a small glass box filled with water can start to feel like its own little world.

Of course, this is only the beginning. An aquarium is always changing, and there will certainly be new things to learn along the way. But after the first week, I can say that I am extremely happy with the choices I made.

The custom dimensions made it possible to have an aquarium that fits my home perfectly.

The OptiWhite glass makes it possible to enjoy every small detail inside.

And every morning when I look at my little pond in the north, there is always something new waiting to be discovered.