Feng shui has become altogether passΘ in recent times, making it less likely to feature in fashionable dinner party conversations or to influence the design philosophy behind the "latest" commercial building.

While talk of the concept may have worn itself out, however, the legacy of feng shui looks like it's here to stay. Among other things, the massive popularity of jangling wind chimes in suburban back gardens would seem to stand as testament to this. In a quieter and possibly less intrusive manner, so would the increasing presence of fish tanks in working environments.

Water is central to positive energy in feng shui and, according to Chinese folklore, fish will make water "stronger". The movement of fish through water is reputed to keep the water more "alive", or decrease its likelihood of becoming stagnant. Fish are said to add beauty and serenity to the environment, thus encouraging wellbeing.

Feng shui aside, fish can undoubtedly be visually stunning when presented in an effective way. In an office environment, this translates into impressing potential clients or future employees with a colourful spectacle. If existing employees also benefit from the calming vibes emanating from the fish tank in the foyer, all the better.

Conduit, the Dublin-based provider of directory services, has ensured that the impressive fish tank in its reception area has fulfilled both objectives. By backing the reception area tank on to an employee area, the company allows visitors to marvel at the aquarium's aesthetic presence, while programmers can "chill out" by watching the swimming creatures at the same time.

Conduit operations manager Ms Mona Nolan is a big fan of the fish. Ms Nolan was involved in the decision to install the tank in the company's new headquarters last year and has enjoyed observing its effects on those who pass by.

"It acts as a great topic of conversation - anyone coming into reception looks at it," she says, adding that she frequently finds herself ignored by visitors in reception - so transfixed are they by the marine life residing there.

Impressing visitors rather than introducing feng shui was the priority when Conduit introduced the tank to its building. Taking over the 43,000 sq ft facility in East Point was a big move for the company, according to Nolan, and she recalls wanting to "ensure that when we had visitors or potential clients, that they'd get a calm, professional feeling when they walked in".

Fish entered the picture when a company executive paid a visit to Fishantics, a sophisticated fish shop in D·n Laoghaire which specialises in large-scale aquariums. The executive recalled seeing computerised images in another company reception and decided that Conduit would go one better by going for the real thing.

A deal was done and a selection of tropical fish were chosen, primarily on the basis of their visual appeal, while a tank was incorporated into the new building's architectural plans. "It was something extremely different for a reception area," says Ms Nolan. "It's a live feature." Conduit's tank houses several different kinds of fish, including "one really dark black guy who cleans the glass", according to Ms Nolan, explaining that this one fish is the housekeeper for the rest, disposing of harmful bacteria. The variety results in a splash of yellows, blues and black and white.

But these are the lucky ones, since not all fish made the cut when it came to surviving the tank. When they were first introduced, several were casualties of an inappropriate water supply; Conduit employees labelled these the "kamikaze" fish.

Since that initial period, the fish have gone from strength to strength. They are fed specially-refrigerated food every couple of days by in-house fish enthusiasts and their tank is maintained on a contract-basis by Fishantics. According to Ms Nolan, the one downside is on the financial side. "They are a very costly feature to have," she says. "The maintenance cost is particularly expensive."

Mr Simon Kilroy of Fishantics would agree. He says a feature aquarium can cost anything between £500 and £12,000 (€635-€15,240) while maintenance costs depend on how often his team's services are needed.

Fishantics has now been open for five years and, according to Mr Kilroy, the corporate side of his business has "grown big-time" in the last two years or so. He has supplied tanks to companies such as Green Property, Jefferson Smurfit and Accenture, usually to reception areas. "It's just something to be there instead of plants. It creates a wow factor," says Mr Kilroy, who reckons that workplace tanks now account for around a third of his trade. Fishantics has also supplied tanks to a number of licensed premises and shops: Brown Thomas's new cosmetics hall provides an example.

Maintenance contracts, while lucrative for Fishantics, can also be the source of frustration if tank-owners do not themselves take an interest in their fish. "We get a phone call when it's too late," says Mr Kilroy. When cared for appropriately, however, he believes the fish he supplies for large tanks can live for "in excess of five years". Whether you believe in it or not, that's a lot of good feng shui.