| Here are some handy tips to consider when planning | | | | Direct sunlight will promote algae, and smart |
| for your first freshwater aquarium tank purchase. | | | | placement in the beginning will make algae control |
| So, you've caught the bug. You've seen a freshwater | | | | much easier. |
| aquarium in a restaurant or someone's home or | | | | Next, how large a tank are you planning? Yes, |
| perhaps saw a beautiful aquarium on TV. Whatever | | | | everyone wants a big one, but here are things to |
| the case may be, to get started with your new | | | | consider when planning this. For each increment in |
| hobby, you need to put a list together to plan out | | | | size, you will need larger and more expensive |
| your aquarium. One of the very first things to decide | | | | equipment to run the aquarium. And don't forget that |
| is what size and type of tank is right for you. | | | | water weighs approximately six pounds per gallon. So |
| It wasn't too long ago that the only choice for a | | | | water alone in a 50 gallon tank weighs around 300lbs! |
| home aquarium was the typical goldfish bowl or if | | | | Make sure your floor can support the tank of your |
| you were lucky, you might find a 10-20 gallon glass | | | | dreams and plan accordingly. Generally I advise |
| tank. Most pet stores just didn't have a great variety. | | | | beginners to start out with a 10 gallon tank and |
| Today you can find every size tank imaginable. But | | | | move to a larger one when you are comfortable |
| what size and shape is appropriate for you and your | | | | with your fish keeping skills. |
| home? How many fish do you want to keep? And, | | | | One of the next items to consider is available power. |
| what type and size fish you want to keep has a | | | | You'll want to be near an outlet. And, remember that |
| bearing on the tank you choose. | | | | no matter how careful you are, spillage will occur. Got |
| Not only do you want to select the right size tank, | | | | a place to minimize consequences of a little wet |
| but the construction of the tank is important. There | | | | accident? Consider a room with a tile floor instead of |
| are two types of tanks on the market today....glass | | | | carpet. |
| and acrylic. I personally prefer acrylic for a number of | | | | And speaking of water, you will want to have easy |
| reasons. The most important of which is that they | | | | access to make changes and cleaning more |
| are safer and you can modify and accessorize them | | | | convenient. A location close to your water source will |
| much easier. It's very hard, and dangerous to modify | | | | make life a lot easier. |
| or drill a hole in glass! You probably won't be drilling | | | | So in summary you need to plan ahead and consider |
| many holes in your new tank, but as your skills | | | | the following: |
| improve you may want to add hangers and put | | | | - Tank construction material |
| tubes for air and waterways to it. And a glass tank | | | | - Fish species and population |
| can be broken in a number of ways. You see where | | | | - Room activity level |
| this is going. Just get an acrylic tank. | | | | - Sunlight exposure |
| The easiest way to decide on a tank is to first look | | | | - Size (and weight) for you home |
| at the available space for the tank you want. You | | | | - Proximity to electrical and water sources |
| also want to place your tank in an area where it is | | | | - Spillage and damage control Careful planning and |
| relatively quiet with light foot traffic. Fish get | | | | consideration of the factors discussed here will get |
| stressed when there is too much traffic and activity | | | | you off to a good start and on a path to setting up |
| in the room! Then, look around the room and pick a | | | | a healthy, beautiful, aquarium. |
| spot that will shelter the tank from direct sunlight. | | | | |