| I don't like the term fish tank. I prefer to call it an | | | | Rectangular fish tanks are best for this as the larger |
| aquarium. This is because an aquarium isn't just a tank | | | | surface area allows for the best absorption of |
| for holding fish. It is a living environment and also a | | | | oxygen and exchange of gases, giving a healthier |
| thing of beauty for your home. If it is well set up and | | | | aquarium and environment for your fish. Other |
| maintained, then your fish will stay healthy and it will | | | | shapes are fine, but you may find yourself spending |
| remain looking attractive and enhance your home. | | | | a little more time maintaining the water. You also |
| So you need to start off with a great looking | | | | won't be able to house as many fish as you would |
| aquarium if it is to remain a healthy and attractive | | | | with another shape of aquarium. |
| environment for your fish. It must also fit in with | | | | Size |
| your own decor. If you have a home full of antiques, | | | | If this is your first aquarium setup, you may want to |
| then the latest bright red biOrb tank probably isn't for | | | | consider a 20 to 30 gallon aquarium. Anything larger |
| you. This article offers advice on choosing the | | | | can be a bit daunting for a beginner, not to mention |
| perfect home for your fish. | | | | pricey, but anything smaller can be harder to maintain |
| Not too many years ago, aquariums were five pieces | | | | and too easy to over stock with fish. If you do this |
| of glass fixed into an angle iron frame with putty. | | | | the quality of your water will suffer and your fish |
| This was probably balanced on a black or white | | | | may die. Whatever you decide on, please don't buy a |
| tubular metal stand, with various wires and tubes | | | | tiny little fish bowl with 1 or 2 fish and no filtration. |
| hanging from the back of it. Then came silicone | | | | They are not healthy living environments for any fish, |
| sealants and the advent of the all glass tank. These | | | | whose lives are in your hands. |
| coupled with the modern day wooden cabinets and | | | | Stocking |
| state of the art all-in-one setups like the BiOrb range | | | | The rule of thumb for stocking should be 1 inch of |
| have brought fish keeping into the twenty first | | | | fish per gallon of water in a well aerated and filtered |
| century. All you need to do now is to choose the | | | | aquarium. So, if you are starting out with a 30 gallon |
| aquarium which is right for you and your home. | | | | aquarium setup, you can have 30 inches of fish which |
| Location | | | | will probably average out at about 10 - 15 fish. |
| Do try to locate your aquarium somewhere where it | | | | Remember they will grow. |
| can be seen as often as possible. After all, if you are | | | | Material |
| going to spend good money on it, you want to be | | | | Not only do you have to choose the right size tank, |
| able to see it as much as you can. It also means that | | | | but the material as well. There are two types of |
| you are more likely to spot any problems quickly | | | | tanks on the market today, glass and acrylic. I |
| before too much harm is done. | | | | personally prefer glass, many others prefer acrylic. |
| You also need to take the weight of the tank into | | | | Acrylic is certainly lighter and safer. A glass tank can |
| account. At school I was taught the (almost) rhyme | | | | be broken although I have never had this happen in |
| "a pint of water weighs a pound and a quarter, a | | | | over 30 years. Acrylic is also more easily scratched. |
| gallon weighs 10 pounds". Take into account the | | | | The choice has to be yours. So in summary you need |
| weight of glass and gravel and you will see that this | | | | to plan ahead and consider the following: |
| soon becomes an incredible weight. Either ensure that | | | | - Location and space available |
| you have a piece of furniture which will withstand this | | | | - Size and therefore weight |
| weight easily or invest in a purpose built stand. Bear | | | | - Aquarium shape |
| in mind that you will need a suitable nearby power | | | | - Number of fish |
| point and a water supply from which to fill it. | | | | - Availability of electrical power and water supply |
| Shape | | | | - Aquarium material |
| The most common shapes of aquarium are | | | | - Cost |
| hexagonal, rectangular or circular. Some rectangular | | | | Choosing the right aquarium is very much down to |
| aquariums also have a bowed front creating a very | | | | personal preference, but you do need to consider |
| stunning visual effect. Obviously the shape has to fit | | | | the above facts to make the best informed decision. |
| into your chosen location but I would recommend | | | | Getting this right from the outset will mean that you |
| trying to choose a shape which gives as much | | | | will enjoy this most rewarding hobby for years to |
| surface area as possible for the volume of water. | | | | come. |