| Having a home freshwater aquarium can be a | | | | be issues. Also avoid high traffic areas in your home |
| wonderful and exciting hobby for anyone to take on. | | | | as that placement can stress out the fish in your |
| If done right, it can provide years and years of | | | | aquarium. |
| enjoyment, but done wrong, it can be a painful | | | | - Get the Right Accessories - Make sure that you |
| source of frustration until you eventually give up. | | | | get the right filter size. If you just grab one because |
| The most important thing you can do to ensure the | | | | it's on sale or a friend gave it to you, it may not be |
| success of your venture is to take the time to | | | | rated for the size tank you have and that will mean |
| properly plan. Buying an aquarium should not be an | | | | trouble. A proper fitting hood and stand are |
| impulse purchase. It doesn't have to be a long, drawn | | | | important, too. The bottom of the tank isn't "just |
| out process either, but if you rush it, the result is | | | | rocks" either, so do a little research as to the right |
| likely failure. | | | | wrong gravel before you fill the tank. |
| So where do you begin? All of the points listed are | | | | - Picking out Fish for Your Tank - This is one of the |
| not really in any order, as they are interrelated. | | | | most overlooked parts of the planning process. In |
| Rather, all of the considerations below are what go | | | | their excitement, many people go to the pet store |
| into "step one" of buying your first fish tank. | | | | and start picking out whatever fish looks neat, is the |
| - Size of the Tank - Many newcomers to the hobby | | | | prettiest, or just seems cool, without any |
| get very excited and want to do something grand | | | | forethought as to how the fish will live together. This |
| with their first aquarium. Maybe they have seen the | | | | is very important! It is a terrible feeling to wake up |
| huge tank at the dentist's office and thought about | | | | one day to find a bunch of your fish gone because |
| how great that would look in their house. They fail to | | | | you failed to find out that the cool looking Oscar you |
| realize that the expense, upkeep, and demands of a | | | | just bought will eat anything that fits in its mouth! |
| 200+ gallon tank are way beyond that of the | | | | - Time Commitment - If you set up your freshwater |
| beginner. Some people take the opposite approach | | | | aquarium right from the start, you shouldn't |
| and think that a 5-8 gallon tank will be easy, but then | | | | encounter many problems, but it doesn't run itself. |
| are disappointed to find out that they can only safely | | | | There will be some maintenance involved and please |
| keep a 2-5 fish in it because it's too small. A good | | | | be sure that you are willing and able to do it before |
| target size for your first aquarium is 20-40 gallons. | | | | you make the investment in the tank, gear, and fish. |
| - Location - It's not just important in real estate, the | | | | Once you take the time to make the important |
| location of your aquarium within your home is crucial. | | | | decisions up front, the success of your home |
| First of all, those things are heavy! A 30 gallon tank | | | | aquarium is almost guaranteed. The time invested in |
| with stand, gravel, and water will weigh about 400 | | | | the planning stage will pay off in a big way with the |
| pounds, so choose your spot wisely. Do not put it in | | | | years of enjoyment that you and your family will get |
| direct sunlight as temperature control and algae will | | | | from your fish tank. |