Imagitarium Glass Versa Aquarium 9.5 Gallons

Your Complete Guide to This Dynamic Mid-Size Aquarium

The Imagitarium Glass Versa Aquarium 9.5 Gallons is a mid-sized glass aquarium that offers hobbyists an abundant array of options when it comes to freshwater and saltwater fish and plant keeping. With its classic rectangular design and crystal clear glass construction, this versatile tank provides a stunning centerpiece for any home or office while remaining highly functional, customizable, and budget-friendly.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore everything you need to know about the Imagitarium Glass Versa Aquarium 9.5 Gallons, from where to buy it and how much it costs to what fish are suitable, how to set it up and maintain it, what kinds of accessories and equipment it requires, and so much more. Read on to gain the knowledge you need to decide if this dynamic aquarium is the right fit for your needs as either a beginner just getting started in the hobby or an experienced aquarist looking for a new mid-size tank option.

An Overview of the Specs and Features

This 9.5 gallon glass aquarium from Imagitarium measures approximately 17.7 x 10.6 x 12.6 inches (LxWxH). It is constructed from durable, high clarity glass with polished edges and can comfortably house small community fish, bettas, or miniature planted biotopes.

The versitile design allows it to be positioned either traditionally with the 17.7 inch length as the front viewing panel or upright with the 10.6 inch width as the front to showcase an impressive, vertically oriented underwater world. For such a compact tank, it still provides reasonable swimming space and room for decor and plants.

It does not come with any equipment, so filtration, heating, lighting, and other accessories must be purchased separately to properly outfit it. This gives hobbyists the freedom to customize it to their exact needs and preferences. The simple rectangular shape and lack of built-in features also lend well to creative aquascaping.

Where to Buy the Versa Aquarium at the Best Price

The Imagitarium Glass Versa Aquarium 9.5 Gallons is sold exclusively at PetSmart stores as well as online at petsmart.com. Pricing typically ranges from $70-90 USD depending on any sales or promotions being offered. This makes it quite affordable compared to many other mid-size glass aquariums on the market.

The tank itself will be the same price everywhere, so your best bet is to shop sales and bundle it with needed equipment like a heater, filter, and LED light strip to maximize savings. Sign up for their rewards program for access to discounts and coupons. You can also find used tanks for lower prices through sites like eBay and Craigslist if you don’t mind a pre-owned model.

Determining the Best Fish and Plant Options for This Aquarium

One of the great aspects of the Imagitarium Glass Versa Aquarium is its versatility when it comes to stocking. The 9.5 gallon capacity allows for an assortment of small fish as well as shrimp and snails. Just be sure not to overstock as this volume of water is still limited. Some popular choices include:

• Bettas – A single male or female betta makes a stunning focal point and will thrive with the ample swimming space. Make sure to provide resting spots near the surface.
• Small Tetras – Neon tetras, ember tetras, and other small tetra species do well in groups of 6-8. Their vibrant colors and active schooling behaviors liven up the tank.
• Dwarf Cichlids – A mated pair or small group of apistogramma, kribensis, or ram cichlids can work if you provide sufficient hiding spots and break up sight lines.
• Invertebrates – Cherry shrimp, ghost shrimp, snails, and other peaceful inverts add diversity and interest at the bottom of the tank. They have low bioloads.

The standard rectangular shape lends itself well to stemmed plants in the background and shorter plants up front. Anubias, ferns, mosses, cryptocorynes, and carpeting plants like dwarf hairgrass are all good options that won’t quickly outgrow the space.

Floating plants like hornwort and duckweed help absorb excess nutrients from the water while providing shade. Just be sure to leave open areas for gas exchange.

Setting Up the Aquarium for Success

Once you’ve selected the livestock and plants for your Imagitarium 9.5 Gallon Aquarium, it’s time to get the tank established. Here are some step-by-step guidelines to set it up properly:

• Thoroughly clean the tank with water only – no soap! Let it dry completely.
• Add the substrate like gravel or aquasoil. Contour it to your desired landscape.
• Add any hardscapes like rocks, driftwood or decor in the desired positions.
• Plant your selected plants and add any moss to decor.
• Attach the filter and heater on opposite sides horizontally. The filter should provide adequate turnover for a tank of this size.
• Slowly fill the tank with dechlorinated water to avoid disturbing the hardscape. Check for leaks.
• Install the lighting unit on a timer to provide 6-8 hours of daily light. LEDs work well for planted tanks.
• Let the tank cycle for 3-4 weeks, testing water parameters weekly. Add ammonia to feed the biological filter during this period.
• When ammonia and nitrites reach zero with some nitrates, your aquarium is ready for fish! Add them slowly over several weeks.

The key is patience and allowing sufficient time for the aquarium to establish beneficial bacteria populations before adding your livestock. This prevents losses and gets the ecosystem off to a healthy start.

Maintaining Excellent Water Quality

One of the keys to success with the Imagitarium Versa Aquarium is maintaining high water quality, especially given its smaller size. Here are some tips:

• Change at least 25% of the water weekly – Use a gravel vacuum to remove waste and test parameters
• Check temperature and pH routinely – Make adjustments as needed to keep in the optimal range for your species
• Clean the mechanical filter monthly – Rinse/replace filter media like sponges in old tank water
• Scrape algae off walls – Use a plastic algae scraper and siphon it out during water changes
• Trim plants to prevent overgrowth – Prune dying leaves and stems to keep the aquascape neat
• Monitor ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates – Water changes can lower any rising nitrates from waste
• Add supplemental bacteria after water changes – Bottled bacteria speeds recovery of beneficial populations

The smaller volume makes waste buildup and algae growth quicker, so staying on top of maintenance is key. Using robust filters, following feeding guidelines, and testing water will maintain a thriving ecosystem.

Customizing and Upgrading Components Over Time

One advantage of purchasing just the tank itself is that you can customize the Imagitarium Glass Versa Aquarium 9.5 Gallons setup to your preferences right away or down the road. Here are some ways to make it your own:

• Swap out the stock LED lighting for brighter adjustable lights to grow different plants
• Add supplemental CO2 injection to really make heavily planted tanks flourish
• Upgrade the filtration from hang-on-back to a canister filter for added flow and mechanical/biological capacity
• Install an automatic water change system to simplify maintenance
• Incorporate an advanced controller unit to monitor pH, temperature, nutrients, etc.
• Replace plastic plants and decor with live plants, driftwood, and rock hardscapes to enhance natural beauty
• Use different colored gravels and backgrounds to change the look from a lush planted oasis to a rocky desert riverbed

The simple glass construction allows you to really customize the technology and decor to create your dream aquascape over time as your experience in the hobby grows. It can evolve as your interests and skills do.

Compatible Equipment to Complete the Versa Aquarium Setup

While the Imagitarium Glass Versa Aquarium itself offers versatility and customization, you’ll need the right additional equipment to create a complete setup:

• Filters – For 9.5 gallons, opt for a hang-on-back or canister filter rated for 10-20 gallon tanks. The AquaClear 20 is a popular model.
• Heaters – A 50 watt submersible heater like the Aqueon Pro can maintain temperatures between 75-80°F.
• Lighting – Full spectrum LED lighting strips or nano fish tank lights provide bright, energy efficient illumination.
• Gravel – Choose smooth natural gravel in a size like 3mm-5mm and a depth of 1-2 inches. Color is personal preference.
• Thermometer – Digital LCD thermometers help monitor temperature. Get one that is easy to read.
• Water Testing Kits – Liquid test kits from API or Tetra enable frequent monitoring of parameters.
• Air Pumps – While optional, air stones and pumps improve gas exchange and circulation.

Investing in quality equipment tailored to small tanks will set up your Imagitarium Versa setup for aquatic success and good value over many years of enjoyment.

Troubleshooting Common Problems with New Aquarium Setups

When starting a new tank, some issues frequently crop up but can be addressed with a few key strategies:

• Cloudy water – Caused by bacterial bloom from cycling; add activated carbon to filter to clear up. Perform extra water changes.
• Algae overgrowth – Limit lighting period to 6 hours, remove excess nutrients, and manually remove what you can each week. Consider adding algae eaters.
• Ammonia and nitrite spikes – Indicators of cycling; use water changes and bacterial supplements to speed safe establishment.
• Slow plant growth – Increase lighting duration/intensity, add plant fertilizers, and inject CO2 to fuel the growth you want.
• Fish deaths – Prevent with quarantine, acclimation of new additions,optimal water parameters, and stopping bullying/aggression.

The most important thing is to have a plan to rapidly address any issues that pop up and not just let problems persist. Obtain your own test kits, have extras supplies on hand, quarantine new additions, and use your maintenance routine to stay ahead of challenges.

Final Verdict: A Dynamic Mid-Size Aquarium for All Experience Levels

The sleek design, crystal clear glass, and relatively compact 9.5 gallon volume of the Imagitarium Glass Versa Aquarium provides beginners and experienced aquarists alike with a versatile foundational tank full of possibilities.

It can readily accommodate small freshwater community fish, planted biotopes, or bettas at an affordable price point. The rectangular shape lends itself well to creative hardscaping and aquascaping flexibility too. Hobbyists are sure to appreciate choosing all their own equipment as well to customize and upgrade their setup down the road.

With some planning and regular maintenance, the Imagitarium Glass Versa Aquarium can become a beautiful focal point in any space that provides years of aquatic enjoyment and discovery at an accessible price. Whether you’re just getting started in the hobby or have kept tanks for years, this mid-size glass aquarium is definitely worth your consideration!