| you decide to buy your first aquarium, there will be | | | | time. But acrylic has some quite important |
| several choices you will need to make. I will illustrate | | | | advantages. For one, it is much lighter, which can |
| this process using Marineland Eclipse 5 as an example. | | | | start to really matter once you add water, substrate |
| This will give us the needed focus. | | | | and decorations to your tank. High quality acrylic, |
| Size | | | | such as that of the Marineland Eclipse 5, also |
| The first decision is how large the aquarium should | | | | maintains its clarity and does not lose its color. Acrylic |
| be. You will find many different opinions about that. | | | | is easy to repair when scratched. Those polishing kits |
| Some people say that as little as 1 gallon is enough. | | | | are widely available, but please don't use them on the |
| Others give you more precise recommendations, | | | | inside of the tank, only the outside. |
| such as 1 gallon of water per 1 inch of adult fish. | | | | It is much, much more difficult to break an acrylic |
| That is a very good way to determine a minimum | | | | tank. Especially if you are buying it for a child, an |
| size for an aquarium. | | | | acrylic tank like the Eclipse 5 would be a safer way |
| So, since an average adult Betta is about 2 inches | | | | to go than glass. |
| long, we can say that 2 gallons is an absolute | | | | Acrylic is stronger than glass. An acrylic tank will |
| minimum. 3 gallons would be better and 5 gallons | | | | therefore be thinner than a glass aquarium. And any |
| would be a good, potentially "optimal" Betta's first | | | | acrylic aquarium can be drilled, if you decide to add an |
| home. I assume that you are interested in more than | | | | overflow system. |
| just the bare minimum. That would make Marineland | | | | Ease of Set up |
| Eclipse 5 a good starter aquarium for a single Betta | | | | The Marineland Eclipse 5 aquarium is designed for |
| fish. | | | | easy set up. Since the lighting and filtration come with |
| Marine Eclipse 5 comes in several variations - there is | | | | the tank, there is very little you will need to worry |
| the Marineland Eclipse Hex 5 Fully Integrated | | | | about purchasing separately. The instructions are |
| Aquarium Kit, Marineland Eclipse Hex 5 Aquarium Kit | | | | easy to follow and most customers write rave |
| and the Eclipse System 5 Corner Combo. | | | | reviews about this product. |
| Material | | | | Appearance |
| Another decision will be between glass and acrylic. In | | | | Marineland Eclipse 5 aquarium is a very attractive |
| the olden days, aquariums were made mostly of | | | | combination of functionality and design. People find |
| glass and it is still preferred by many aquarists. It | | | | the hexagonal shape a plus because of the panoramic |
| doesn't scratch easily and maintains its clarity over | | | | 360 degrees viewing area. |