| There are several different factors you need to | | | | your tank is made of. Whilst this may not seem that |
| consider before purchasing your first fish aquarium. | | | | important, it's worth considering the options available. |
| These include the size of the tank, the material it is | | | | The first is the acrylic fish aquarium. Manufacturers of |
| made of, i.e. glass or acrylic and the accessories that | | | | these tanks claim they are 17x stronger than glass |
| are required. This can be a daunting task if you're | | | | and weigh 50% less. They are less likely to break or |
| just getting into fish keeping. I've outlined some | | | | shatter than a glass aquarium, however are much |
| points in this article which I hope will help you greatly. | | | | more prone to scratching and often are scratched |
| First, when choosing the size of the tank consider | | | | during shipping! Acrylic aquariums do, however, |
| these main two factors: | | | | refract light better than glass does, giving a less |
| 1. the space you have available in your home or | | | | distorted view of the inside of your aquarium. |
| office where you are going to position your aquarium | | | | Glass aquariums are the most popular choice for fish |
| and | | | | keeping. Glass is considerably stronger than acrylic, |
| 2. the amount of fish you want to keep in the tank. | | | | and can support substantially more than its own |
| When considering the space you have available don't | | | | weight over distances. Glass also maintains its clarity |
| forget to include room for a stand, if required. | | | | over time, whereas acrylic will tend to yellow with |
| Always check the dimensions of the tank (and stand) | | | | age, especially when exposed to light. Glass |
| with the seller or manufacturer before buying. All | | | | aquariums are generally cheaper to buy as they are |
| good retailers should have this information readily at | | | | easier to ship and require less tools to work with, as |
| hand. | | | | compared to acrylic tanks. I personally would |
| If you are selecting a tank size based on the number | | | | recommend a glass aquarium over an acrylic aquarium. |
| of fish you want to keep, there is a frequently used | | | | Lastly, we come to accessories. Several of the |
| rule of thumb which states "up to a maximum of 1 | | | | popular brands of fish aquariums, including Tetra and |
| inch of adult sized slender bodied fish per 1 gallon of | | | | Aqueon, offer aquarium starter kits and complete |
| water". For example, the popular neon tetra fish | | | | aquarium kits, that include all the accessories needed |
| grows up to an adult size of 1.57 inches. They are a | | | | to get your aquarium started. These kits come in |
| schooling fish so let's say you want to keep 10 of | | | | basic and deluxe form. The basic kit includes such |
| them in your tank. Using the rule of thumb above | | | | items as, filter, filter cartridge, set-up and care guide, |
| you would need to purchase at least a 16 gallon tank | | | | lighting, water conditioner and fish food. This is a |
| (1.57 inches x 10 fish = 15.7 gallons). Allow for a filter | | | | good basic kit. The deluxe kits will also contain a |
| to take up some space in the tank and I would go | | | | water heater, thermometer and fish net. When |
| with a 20 gallon aquarium. This is a general guide only | | | | starting your fish aquarium, at a bare minimum be |
| and by no means a definitive answer. | | | | sure to have fish food and water conditioner, |
| Great. We've now chosen the size of our fish | | | | preferably a basic water filter as well. |
| aquarium, either by dimensions to fit the space you | | | | Good luck setting up your first fish aquarium! Fish |
| have available or the amount of fish you want to | | | | keeping can be a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding |
| keep. The second factor to consider is the material | | | | hobby. |