| The present study comparatively evaluated self-sustaining and artificially maintained aquarium systems with emphasis on temporal water-quality stability. Eight experimental aquaria were used, comprising four replicate self-sustaining tanks and four artificial tanks, maintained under comparable laboratory conditions. Fifteen observation periods were recorded from 1 April to 25 June 2026. Temperature, pH, ammonia and total hardness were monitored, and descriptive statistics including mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variation (CV) were used to assess temporal variability. The self-sustaining system incorporated aquatic plants and biologically active substrate, whereas the artificial system relied on mechanical aeration and filtration. Temperature was 27.39 ± 0.78°C in the self-sustaining system and 27.44 ± 0.66°C in the artificial system, with CVs of 2.83% and 2.40%, respectively. Mean pH was 7.15 ± 0.23 and 7.19 ± 0.17, with CVs of 3.19% and 2.37%, respectively. Ammonia showed the most pronounced difference between systems, with mean concentrations of 0.107 ± 0.063 mg/L (CV 59.03%) in self-sustaining tanks and 0.268 ± 0.225 mg/L (CV 83.90%) in artificial tanks. Total hardness averaged 1,771.03 ± 229.87 and 1,733.20 ± 162.66 mg/L as CaCO₃, with CVs of 12.98% and 9.38%, respectively. The self-sustaining system therefore exhibited lower mean ammonia concentration and lower relative ammonia variability, whereas the artificial system showed slightly lower variability in temperature, pH and hardness. These findings indicate parameter-specific patterns of water-quality stability and suggest that biological components may contribute to nitrogenous-waste regulation in aquarium systems.
Keywords: self-sustaining aquarium; artificial aquarium; ornamental fish culture; water quality; ammonia; aquatic plants; biological filtration; temperature; sustainable aquaculture.
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