| Choosing an aquarium can be confusing for the first | | | | the tank clean are important. Another factor to |
| time buyer. There are many shapes and sizes of | | | | consider is the height of the tank. While tall tanks |
| aquarium fish tanks to choose from, all made with | | | | look impressive, they're incredibly difficult to keep |
| different materials that achieve different aesthetics. | | | | clean. Without specialized cleaning tools, a deep |
| Let's discuss the different factors to consider when | | | | aquarium will never be completely clean and always |
| purchasing your first fish tank. | | | | carry waste products and toxins. Additionally, deep |
| Size | | | | aquariums may require special lighting systems to |
| How big of an aquarium should you purchase for | | | | penetrate the deeper water volume. If you plan on |
| your first fish tank? For fish tanks, size matters. | | | | adding plant life to your aquarium, this is definitely an |
| Contrary to what novice aquarists may think, small | | | | important issue to consider, as plants cannot thrive in |
| aquariums are more difficult to maintain. Smaller | | | | poorly lit environments. |
| aquariums accumulate waste more quickly and the | | | | Material - Glass or Acrylic |
| waste build up is proportionally larger compared to | | | | Depending on what size and shape aquarium you |
| bigger aquariums. A small aquarium requires more | | | | have decided to buy, glass or acrylic may be a more |
| frequent maintenance and water changes. Also, | | | | suitable material for you. Here are the advantages to |
| temperature and chemical changes occur faster in | | | | a glass aquarium. Usually, glass tanks are less |
| smaller tanks because there is a smaller volume of | | | | expensive than acrylic and do not get scratched as |
| water. Remember, rapid or constant changes in | | | | easily. They are also more durable and last longer |
| temperature or water chemistry can be dangerous | | | | than acrylic tanks, which is why you can usually find a |
| to the health of your fish. I advise beginner aquarists | | | | used glass tank fairly easily. On the downside, glass |
| purchase a 30 gallon tank as a minimum size. A 30 | | | | aquariums, especially larger volumes, can become |
| gallon (120 liters) tank has enough water volume to | | | | extremely heavy. If you're planning on purchasing a |
| buffer toxins and dilute fish waste products. Any size | | | | large tank, acrylic will be much lighter than glass. |
| larger than 30 gallons will be even easier to maintain, | | | | Acrylic fish tanks have their own advantages as well. |
| but the benefits of more water are not as significant. | | | | If you prefer a tank with an irregular shape, it will be |
| The best size tank to get, when first starting out, is | | | | easier to find in acrylic. Modern formulations allow for |
| a 30 gallon fish tank. | | | | acrylic tanks to be much clearer than glass, but they |
| Shape | | | | also are much easier to scratch and must be cleaned |
| If you've been looking in any catalogs or seen fish | | | | with special soft pads. Acrylic is also more of an |
| tanks in stores, you already know you can get a | | | | insulator than glass, so acrylic aquariums require less |
| variety of different shaped tanks, ranging from round | | | | heating and maintain a more stable temperature. |
| cylinders, standard box shaped rectangles, even | | | | Overall, glass aquariums are regarded as the cheaper |
| exotic hexagonal shapes. While they may look | | | | alternative to preferred acrylic fish tanks. |
| appealing, esthetics are not the only issue when | | | | You have many choices when purchasing your first |
| deciding on a shape for your aquarium. Again, | | | | fish tank. Make sure you know how to select the |
| remember you will need to clean the tank on a | | | | best fish tank for your needs. |
| weekly basis, so keeping all the corners and edges of | | | | |