The safest way to buy an aquarium in Varna is to see it in person and take it home straight from the store. Glass aquariums do not travel well by courier: one crack or knock on a corner and the tank is ruined. In our showroom at Bratya Buxton Blvd 30, Varna you can see ready planted aquariums, Me nano sets, Juwel aquariums and extra clear glass tanks side by side, compare them and leave with the right one for your home. Below: 5 steps to choosing an aquarium, a size chart, how to get it home safely and everything about our showroom.
Contents
- Why buy your aquarium from a store in Varna, not online?
- How to choose an aquarium: 5 steps
- What size aquarium do I need?
- What is a ready planted aquarium?
- How do I get the aquarium home?
- Aquarium shop in Varna: our showroom
- Frequently asked questions
Why buy your aquarium from a store in Varna, not online?
- Glass and couriers do not mix. An aquarium is heavy, fragile and made of large flat panes. Even well packed, it can arrive with a crack you only notice once it is full. That is why we do not ship aquariums by courier: they are sold for pickup from our store in Varna only.
- You see what you buy. In person, the difference between standard and extra clear glass, framed and rimless, 54 and 63 litres is obvious in seconds. In a photo it is not.
- You get advice from people who keep aquariums. Tell us where the tank will stand, which fish or plants you want and how much time you have for maintenance, and we will point you to the right size and equipment.
- Everything in one place. Substrate, plants, lighting, filters, fertilizers and live fish. No ordering from five shops and waiting for five deliveries.
We still ship accessories, fertilizers and equipment by courier across Bulgaria and Europe. Only the aquariums themselves are for in-store pickup.
How to choose an aquarium: 5 steps
Step 1: Choose the spot before the tank
A full aquarium weighs far more than most people expect: every litre of water is 1 kg, plus glass, substrate and stones. A 60 litre tank easily passes 80 kg. You need a stable, level base (an aquarium cabinet or solid furniture), away from direct sunlight, radiators and doors. Sun in south-facing rooms is the most common cause of algae.
Step 2: Do not start too small
It sounds backwards, but a bigger aquarium is easier to keep. More water means more stable temperature and parameters, and mistakes take longer to hurt. For a first aquarium with fish we recommend around 60 litres. Nano tanks of 10 to 20 litres are great for shrimp, a betta or plants, but need more attention. More on this in our article big or small aquarium.
Step 3: Standard or extra clear glass?
Standard (float) glass has a slight green tint, visible mostly from the side. Extra clear (Optiwhite) glass is almost completely transparent, so plants and fish look cleaner and brighter. For a planted aquarium or aquascape the difference is worth it. For a first fish tank, standard glass is perfectly fine.
Step 4: Complete set or tank plus separate equipment?
A complete set (tank, light, filter, lid) is the easiest start: everything fits and is matched. A bare tank gives you the freedom to choose exactly the light and filter you want, and is the better choice for more demanding planted aquariums.
Step 5: Decide what will live in it
Shrimp, a betta, a school of tetras, catfish or a planted aquascape. Each leads to a different size, filter and light. If you have not decided yet, come to the showroom: seeing ready planted aquariums in person is the fastest way to find out what you like.
What size aquarium do I need?
| Size | Good for | Weight when full (approx.) | Example from us |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 to 20 L (nano) | Shrimp, moss, plants, one betta (from 20 L) | 15 to 30 kg | Me My Tank 10 L, Me My Tank 20 L Start |
| 50 to 70 L (60 cm) | First aquarium, small schooling fish, planted tank | 70 to 100 kg | Juwel Primo 60 and 70, Extra Clear 63 L |
| 100 L and more | Catfish, angelfish, larger community tanks, aquascapes | over 130 kg | Ask in the showroom |
20 litres with rounded front edges, Chihiros RGB Bluetooth light and corner filter. Pickup from our Varna store.
German set with lid, light and filter. A safe start for a first aquarium with fish.
What is a ready planted aquarium?
A ready planted aquarium is a tank that has already been aquascaped and planted in our showroom: substrate, stones and wood, plants and equipment. You see it exactly as it will look at home, instead of imagining it from photos and product lists.
- No guesswork: you see how the plants look, how the light falls and how big the tank really is.
- No mismatched equipment: the equipment, fertilizers and plants are already matched to each other.
- A faster start: instead of weeks of assembling and hunting for products, you start with an aquarium that already works.
We can also help with installation and the initial setup of your aquarium. Ask us in store what exactly this includes for your tank.
How do I get the aquarium home?
- Only move an empty aquarium empty. Never move a tank with water or substrate inside: the weight flexes the silicone seams.
- Carry it from underneath, not by the top edges. Two people for anything over 60 cm.
- In the car, set it flat on its base on a blanket, on a level surface, with nothing on top.
- Prepare the spot at home first: the cabinet must be level (check with a spirit level) and the base mat in place.
- Ready planted aquariums need special preparation for transport. Talk to us before buying about the safest way to do it.
Before adding fish, the water has to go through the nitrogen cycle. Read our aquarium cycle guide and which fish suit beginners.
Aquarium shop in Varna: our showroom
Aquarium Boutique is a two-floor boutique store at Bratya Buxton Blvd 30, Varna. The ground floor has food and accessories for dogs and cats, and the upper floor is entirely an aquarium showroom.
- Ready planted aquariums, Me nano sets, Juwel aquariums and extra clear glass tanks
- Aquascaping "dojo": a table where you can try layouts with stones and wood before you buy them
- Live fish: follow the weekly catalogue on our Viber channel, reserve and pick up in store
- Substrates, plants, Chihiros lighting, filters, fertilizers and CO2
Aquarium Boutique, Bratya Buxton Blvd 30, Varna
Wednesday to Sunday: 10:00 to 19:00
Monday and Tuesday: closed
Open in Google Maps →Frequently asked questions
Where can I buy an aquarium in Varna?
At the Aquarium Boutique showroom, Bratya Buxton Blvd 30. You can see the aquariums in person, including ready planted aquariums, and take them home straight from the store.
Do you ship aquariums by courier?
No. We sell glass aquariums for pickup from our Varna store only, so they reach you in one piece. Equipment, fertilizers, substrates and accessories ship by courier across Bulgaria and Europe.
How much does an aquarium cost?
A nano tank starts at around €35, a complete nano set with light and filter is around €120, and a 60 to 70 litre set with lid, light and filter is roughly €140 to €180. Ready planted aquariums are priced by size and equipment: ask us in store.
Do you help with the layout and setup?
Yes. We can help with installation and the initial setup, and in the showroom you can try stone and wood layouts on our aquascaping dojo.
Coming from outside Varna?
Customers come to us from across the region. If you are making a special trip, call or message us first so we can make sure the aquarium you want is in stock.
Come and see the aquariums in person
Bratya Buxton Blvd 30, Varna. Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 19:00.
Directions to the store →