How to Choose an Aquarium

Keeping fish is easy and gratifying if you get the right start.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1/4-inch Sheet Styrofoam
• Aquarium Canopies/hoods
• Aquarium Filters
• Aquarium Fish Nets
• Aquarium Gravel
• Aquarium Heaters
• Aquarium Stands
• Aquarium Thermometers
• Aquariums
• Siphon Hoses
• Plastic Scrubbers
• Water Test Kits
• Buckets

The Tank

1. Consider how much room you have for a tank. Remember that the tank will need to be positioned near an electrical outlet.

2. If this is your first aquarium, start with a smaller tank. This will give you a good sense of how things work without a huge cash outlay. Starting with a 10- to 20-gallon tank is reasonable. The small tanks you see used in pet stores as terrariums are 10 gallons. A 10-gallon tank will cost less than $10; a 20-gallon tank costs about $35.

3. Consider the various aquarium shapes. Tall octagons and hexagons are popular. Cube and cylinder tanks are also available. The standard is a long rectangle, which tends to look bigger than it really is and is therefore a favorite among hobbyists.

4. Choose from plate glass or acrylic materials such as Plexiglas. Plate glass is heavy. Plexiglas scratches easily. Sections of plate glass are fairly easy to replace; Plexiglas tanks are often one piece, with rounded corners that look very fluid.

Accessories

5. Consider getting a tank stand if that's appropriate for your space. This can range from a fancy wrought-iron affair to a you-build-it microwave cart. There's really no best stand. Consider the following: Sturdiness - water weighs almost 9 pounds per gallon. Water durability ' if (and we hope this never happens!) the tank leaks. Storage ' can you stash your supplies inside or underneath?

6. Prevent escapees with a tank cover or hood. This will also reduce the evaporation rate. Full hoods have a light built in, though most people prefer covers made of two strips of glass connected with a plastic hinge, with a separate light.

7. Let there be light - fluorescent lamps are really the way to go. They give off very little heat, cost less to run and are much better for your live plants.

8. Avoid grow-lights because they encourage algae growth (meaning more work for you) and don't really bring out the colors of the fish.

9. Think hard about the filtration system if you don't look forward to cleaning your tank. Top-of-the-line filters can set you back as much as $300. Opt for a power filter if your tank holds less than 50 gallons. Another choice is a corner filter. Check the glossary for more options.

10. Keep it warm. Most tropical fish do best at 76 to 79 degrees F. An aquarium heater keeps the tank temperature steady throughout the day. There are two types of heaters - the traditional model that hangs on the side of the tank and the submersible, which is preferred by most fish enthusiasts.

11. Add gravel. In addition to being decorative, this holds the plants down. Dark colors will bring out the colors in tropical fish better than light colors. You can use sand, crushed coral, dolomite or argonitein in a saltwater tank instead of gravel.

12. Get plastic or live plants. Both are decorative and create good hiding places for your fish. Plastic plants are easier to maintain and are preferred by people new to the hobby.

Tips & Warnings

• Put a 1/4-inch sheet of Styrofoam under the tank to help distribute the weight more evenly. It a tank isn't level, stress will be put on the seams and could eventually cause a leak.
• Wash the gravel or sand thoroughly before you put it in the tank.
• Don't buy your fish until your tank is set up and the water has had time to stabilize.

[irishfish12]

on 6/30/2009 In case of 1-10 gallon tank I would suggest only a betta(seamese fighting fish). It can live in small places.But remember never keep male more than one male bettas together.

Source: www.facinity.com

on 8/8/2006 If you only have a 1 gallon tank, don't panic. When looking for fish, try small species; such as guppies minnows, and small species of goldfish.
I have a one gallon tank with 7 guppies and it's going good.

on 8/8/2006 1 inch of fish to a gallon of water is a good tip. Also, many people say the fish will grow big, too fast in a smaller tank. Fish grow depending on their habitat size, so no matter how big of a tank you have, the fish won't grow to the point of not being able to survive in the tank. So just make sure the fish isn't too big for the tank when you first buy it.

on 3/16/2006 Although it would be better to start with a bigger tank, and you've already bought a 10 gallon tank, don't fret. No matter what tank size you have, 5 or 100 gallon, it's all about buying the fish that suits the tank.

I have a 10 gallon tank with 4 tiger barbs. They get along great. For a 5 gallon tank, I would recommend white cloud minnows or a betta and some minnows. For a 10 or 20 gallon, go to WalMart or PetCo, they have lots of fish! But research before you buy! Don't believe everything the store clerk tells you.

on 2/20/2006 I think garage sales are like anything else, a lot of pet stores also do refunds on tanks, which means you are just as likely to get a returned model there as a garage sale. The thing about garage sales is just like anything else; if you wear it you would wash it first, and you should wash your aquarium. I tend to use bleach and hot water and pour it down the tub and scrub it till it squeaks. I also let my newly acquired tanks set in full sunlight after it has been thoroughly rinsed to let the sun dry it out. Never had a problem. No dead fish and no sick fish and very happy owners.