| When people decide to get a brand new residence, | | | | than acrylic, and when you are thinking about cost |
| whether it is a house, an apartment, a condo, or a | | | | for your discus fish tank, this is one place you may |
| tent, there are plenty of decisions included. You want | | | | choose to save some cash, the reason being that |
| the best and most cozy place you can potentially | | | | discus fish are not inexpensive. |
| get. | | | | Another advantage of glass is the availability. You can |
| The same is true when you are getting ready to set | | | | find a glass aquarium to fit your needs at just about |
| up house keeping for your soon-to-be-acquired discus | | | | any place that stocks aquariums. |
| fish. A proper discus fish tank is essential to the | | | | One disadvantage of glass is that it can be scratched. |
| success of your new fish community. | | | | And once that happens, you are stuck. It can't be |
| With some fish almost any aquarium or tank will be | | | | "erased" by buffing, which is achievable with an |
| sufficient, but this is not the situation with discus. | | | | acrylic material. |
| They are some of the prima donnas of the fish | | | | Glass is also difficult to drill through. Not impossible, |
| universe. They require "high class" or problems will | | | | but if you need a hole for your filter setup, this could |
| result. They may even "check out" on you if | | | | be an issue. |
| conditions are not correct. You know what I mean? | | | | Acrylic has some significant advantages. |
| Before you decide which tank you will buy, you must | | | | Acrylic tanks have a major advantage over glass in |
| make a decision about how many discus fish you will | | | | that there is a lot of flexibility when it comes to |
| be keeping. This is a very important factor in figuring | | | | discus fish tank design. You can have your tank just |
| out how large your fish home should be. The guideline | | | | about any shape you can imagine. |
| is that you will need about 10 gallons per discus. | | | | Acrylic is also safer than glass (and lighter, too). It |
| Here's an extra little tip - six discus is a great number | | | | does not shatter, and this is a major consideration if |
| to start with. Somehow, this works out really well, | | | | your 5 year old will be practicing t-ball in the vicinity |
| much better than 3, 4 or 5. | | | | of the fish tank. |
| If you do the math here, a 60 gallon tank will house | | | | The major drawback of acrylic is the price. It is much |
| six of your new beauties. | | | | more than glass, especially if you are going for a |
| Yet another tip - don't get a smaller tank because | | | | distinctive design. |
| you are starting with young, small fish. Yes, fish that | | | | Tip - avoid plastic if at all possible. Plastic will cloud |
| are only 2" can live in a smaller living space, but get | | | | over time. |
| the correct size to start with. Replacing your discus | | | | Decisions about which tank you will use should be |
| home after a couple of months is not your ideal | | | | made are quite essential, but just as important is that |
| choice. | | | | you make them before you even think about |
| Next decision: decide which material your new tank | | | | obtaining your discus fish... way before. Because you |
| will be made from. | | | | will want your tank all set up with water that is in |
| Your alternatives are glass or acrylic. | | | | good condition and ready to receive its new |
| Glass is the most widely used material. It has | | | | inhabitants. |
| advantages and disadvantages. | | | | Water for your discus fish tank is so critical that it |
| The first advantage is the price. It is less expensive | | | | demands its own article. |