So you’re thinking you’d like to buy a fish tank aquarium are you? No doubt you’ve seen a big fish tank somewhere and enjoyed watching the fish move about in it. These large fish tanks are rather beautiful if the fish tank setup and decoration is put together well.
fish aquarium tank
For many people there is just something tranquil and addictive to viewing an aquarium. Some people can stare for hours. There are a number of things to consider if you’re up to the challenge of setting one up. Your lifestyle may dictate that you should only buy a smaller aquarium that is easier to move than a larger one if you change residence a fair bit. You may even want to start with a mini fish tank, like a 10 gallon size just so you can literally get your hands wet. I started with a 10 gallon for my first aquarium and put sword tails in it, some plants, gravel and the small diaphragm pump with a clip on side heater and light cover. I was just a teenager at the time and found it fascinating to watch the two fish turn into many over the course of time.
If you plan on staying where you are then go for the biggest fishtank you can afford. The larger the size the easier it is to look after health wise for your fish. Large swings in temperature take longer to affect a large fish tank. Other environmental changes such as ph balance affect a larger tank slower. If you have deep pockets you can even have a custom one made that fits the space you have nicely. There are basically two materials aquariums can be made of. Glass fish tanks are the most common material used along with special silicon that won’t leach into the water and kill your fish. The Glass needs to be thicker the bigger you make the aquarium to support the weight of the water. This means a large glass aquarium even empty becomes heavier and heavier the larger it gets. Glass tanks transmit heat or cold to the water faster than plastic aquariums. This is why smaller glass aquariums must be vigilantly monitored for temperature. Acrylic plastic is another material where special acrylic glue is used to stick the sides together. They can be moulded into various shapes also. Acrylic fish tanks are very strong, they aren’t brittle like glass that can crack, and they are a lot less weight than glass. The downside of acrylic aquariums is cost, and they are prone to scratching. Remember you will need a proper stand for your aquarium if you get a larger one. Usually the manufacturer of a large fish tank provides the aquarium with a matching stand.
As well you need to consider how many fish you plan on keeping in it, and the type of fish. Some fish are very territorial such as angel fish and need lots of space to live with other fish. There are salt water fish and fresh water fish. Fresh water fish can be tropical (needing a heater) or cold water (no heater needed). Also with salt water aquariums comes two distinct categories of what you’d put in it. You can put fish or coral but not both in a salt water set up. The reason is your fish would eat the invertebrates and coral.
Remember that water is heavy and the larger the aquarium the more weight you will have to deal with. Also keep in mind that your dwelling may need to be supported underneath if you get a really large aquarium. A 100 gallon fish tank can weigh as much as 1000 lbs when filled up with water. Adding the decorations such as gravel etc. can add even more weight. It’s always best to get a tank that you can reach the bottom of with your arm if you have to fix something near the bottom.
Fish tank aquariums come in many shapes and sizes but unless you’re getting a freebie or buying a used fish tank that’s just too good to pass over I recommend the standard rectangle shape for a beginner.
A 25 gallon tank is a nice size for a beginner. Once you get past that size you’re starting to get into weight issues and stands that cost more. It’s always nice if you have a small satellite aquarium to keep new fish you buy for a couple of days just to make sure you bought a healthy fish before you introduce it to the larger aquarium population and cause a proliferation of sickness.
What ever size tank you choose I guarantee you will learn lots over time. You probably will kill a few fish as well as provide a place where fish will do some creating of their own. It’s very exciting to find one morning that you have more fish! Check back here often as we will be adding much more information and if you have any pictures of your set up please send them to my email via the contact tag at the top of the website and let us know any tips or guidelines you have about fish tank setup. We welcome comments or if you would like to be a guest poster with relevant information about aquariums please contact me…. Thomas
Im glad that I read this. Im a massive fan of all things to do with both fresh and saltwater aquariums and this post was useful to me. Thank you once again. I will keep reading your blog with interest.
.In many respects the art of keeping.fish could be regarded as also being the art of the water change..Water changes are essential when cycling a tank and even when a tank.is cycled water changes keep nitrate levels down. …The beginner fish keeper who wishes to.maintain the health of their fish is well advised to master the water.change.