Freshwater Aquarium Setup - Tips For Choosing Your Fish Tank

A freshwater aquarium setup can bring you a great deal of enjoyment and long hours of pleasure observing the fish interact with one another. However, before settting up an aquarium you need to make some choices. The first one will about your choice of fish tank.

There are many factors that may influence which type of tank you will choose.

Material Type

Aquarium tanks are made in either glass or acrylic.

Acrylic tanks are more costly and will not remain as clear as glass after a period of time as they tend to become slightly yellow especially if they receive direct light. It is also very easy to unintentionally scratch an acrylic tank. However, acrylic tanks will not break or shatter except under extreme force. You will also find that an acrylic tank requires more effort to clean. The weight of your tank is another factor you will need to bear in mind and this is where a glass tank has the disadvantage as it is very much heavier. Consider all these factors as you go about your freshwater aquarium setup.

Location

Give some thought as to where in your home you will place the tank. You will need to think about the weight of it and make sure that the supporting structures can take that weight! You need to consider also the position in your home, as the tank should not be bumped, and be placed away from direct light which can cause algal growth and temperature fluctuations.

Size of Tank

Purchase the biggest tank you can afford as it is easier to maintain the water quality with a bigger tank. Avoid buying a vertical column type of tank as this has a small surface area to volume of water ratio where the gases will be exchanged. You will not be able to stock many fish in a tank like this. In addition there is less space for the fish to swim in a horizontal direction. Less swimming space can stress your fish and in turn cause disease.

Type of Fish

The type of fish that you want to keep will also influence your choice of tank. If you are going to keep tropical fish then you will require heating, lighting and a filtration system. Which type of heating, lighting and filtration system you choose will depend on the size and tank type as well.

As you can see there are a myriad of factors which will influence your freshwater aquarium setup, and it will benefit you in the long run to do some research before you make a purchase. Read up as much as you can and ask the experts for more advice so that you can make the best choice for your situation.

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Choosing The Best Fish Tank Accessories

Someone who is decorating an aquarium for the first time may not realize all of the fish tank accessories that are available. While deciding the best look for your aquarium, it is easy to get overwhelmed with all of the choices. There are websites on the internet that provide resources to help you find the right decorations for your tank.

Filtration

One of the first and most important things you need to do is make sure you have the proper filtration system for the aquarium you plan to use. You need to know how many gallons your tank holds and you should know the kind of fish you plan to keep. These factors will determine the type of filter that you will need.

Plants

There are many plants you can use to decorate your aquarium. There are several different designs, colors and styles. You can choose to use real, live plants in your tank. Live plants do require a certain amount of light, and can have other needs as well. Certain live plants can be torn easily by fish, which will leave debris that must be cleaned up. If live plants seem like too much trouble, there are a lot of great artificial plants to choose from as well.

Fish

Because of their colorful appearances and beauty, the fish themselves can add to the decorative quality of your tank. While selecting the fish that you want, it is important to remember that certain fish cannot coexist in the same tank with other types of fish. You should always research the fish that you want beforehand. This way, you can be sure they can live together. If you are a beginner, it is also a good idea to choose less expensive fish at first.

Aquarium Ornaments

There are a lot of different styles of ornamentation that you can get for your fish tank. Some types work with your aquarium\'s air pump to cause movement at specific intervals. There are many ornaments; in fact, the different varieties of ornaments is countless. Because there are so many, it is easy to find something that suits your specific preferences.

Having your own aquarium can add beauty to any room. It can also give your space a brand new feel. There are many types of fish, aquariums and fish tank accessories to pick from. With proper research, having fish can be a fun and enriching experience.

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A Buying Guide on Aquarium Chiller and Fish Tank Light

Buying an aquarium chiller becomes a must when the ambient room temperature is higher than the desired water temperature as it can be deadly for the creatures inside the tank. Nevertheless, it also becomes pertinent when the aquarium owner wishes to keep cold water species indoor; however, it is not possible without an aquarium chiller for it only can do so. It is quite hard to imagine a cold aquarium in hot areas without for that reason it becomes even more essential to buy it. Moreover, the areas that are known for seasonal heat-spells need more for increased temperature can cause havoc to fishes.

Aquarium chillers become even more important when these are place in the warm places and decreasing the indoor temperature to low level is not an option at all. Similarly, where aquarium owners install heat emitting equipment for various personal purposes, they need aquarium chiller the most to keep the cool inside the aquarium and save the fishes inside. The companies know that it is highly efficient ones that are enough for large and small aquariums that can only be considered right an option. Additionally, the aquarium chillers that are known for their performance and reliability should only be bought for optimum results.

That are known for being quiet and made using high compact design only should be bought for the reason that these are highly beneficial and give higher ROI. Advanced aquarium chillers tend to have LED display that give precise temperature control which can be considered highly beneficial vis-à-vis operation. Nevertheless, such chillers are good for Nano aquariums up to 600 gallon Aquariums. One important aspect of keeping tropical fishes living is to use fish tank lights which are available aplenty. However, choosing the right one can be bit tricky if there is no information on which kind of fish tank lights to be bought.

Out of a range of fish tank lights, some major ones such as regular fluorescent lights and compact fluorescent ones are considered apt. Additionally, high output fluorescent and very high output fluorescent as well as metal halide are the some other cardinal ones. Least but not the last, the LED or the Light Emitting Diodes fish tank lights are the chief ones that are popular a lot amongst the aquarium owners. Apart from aquarium chillers, fish tank lights are considered important when it comes to maintaining minimum and maximum temperature that is important for fishes' life inside.

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Maintain a Perfect Light and Temperature with Aquarium Chiller and Fish Tank Light

People have great interest towards aquatic inhabitants and it is due to their interest that aquariums have become a common product in most of the houses. Keeping aquariums at home require lot of care of the aquarium inhabitants as showing negligence towards can affect their life. The life quality inside the aquarium is as good as the conditions that exist inside it. Fish and other aquatic life are quite sensitive to temperature and most of the aquarium inhabitants do well when they are kept in their native temperature. Maintaining a steady temperature in aquarium is quite difficult as sudden change in temperature can lead to disease and death of aquarium inhabitants. Thus, there are many things like aquarium chiller and fish tank light that are required for the ideal aquarium set up.

Things that are part of aquarium setup like lighting system, electrical filtration system and water pump submerged inside the aquarium causes the temperature within the aquarium to rise. Aquarium being closed from all sides have no option of losing temperature to the atmosphere. Beside all these, the hot summer months also contributes in the rise of the aquarium temperature. This is the time when aquarium chiller come handy as it not only helps in reducing the temperature inside the aquarium but it also helps to maintain a steady temperature within the aquarium. This is the most significant use of the water chiller and without aquarium chiller the life inside it is quite difficult and almost impossible.

Aquarium chillers that are commonly available are in-line and drop-in chillers, the in-line chillers are installed just adjacent to the tank and coolant is fed with the help of an external probe, which is placed in the water. Different types of aquarium chillers are available for different capacity of aquarium. In small saltwater or freshwater aquariums thermoelectric chillers are used, which are considered as best for the tank having capacity of below 60 gallons and that has a slow water flow. Large aquariums usually make use of the in-line chillers. The in-line chillers are available in variety of capacities and hence can be used with different aquarium tank capacity. This chillers require plumbing and therefore they need to be installed with proper planning and is best to install at the time of installing the aquarium only.

Besides aquarium chillers another significant accessory is the fish tank light, which is vital to provide ideal lighting conditions to the aquatic inhabitants. Aquatic inhabitants like fish, reefs and plants also require seven to eight hours of light like the human beings for their proper growth. Among all the options available in the fish tank lights, LED lights are the most preferred among the marine and reef hobbyists. LED fish tank light is preferred because it offers high intensity light while producing low heat, which is preferred in saltwater reef systems that requires low water temperature. This light also have good controllability of color spectrum and output of the light. Today people need to carefully select an aquarium chiller and fish water tank for successfully keeping and managing an aquarium.

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Knowing How To Clean A Fish Tank

Knowing how to clean a fish tank is required knowledge for excellent fish care and aquarium beauty.

Filtration systems are necessary, since the filters help to keep your tank free of algae and harmful chemicals and bacterium, which can lead to poor fish health and even death. There are different filtration systems to choose from chemical, carbon, mechanical, and biological. These in turn include internal, external, and under-gravel filtration systems.

In addition to filtration systems, you will also want to understand water treatments because good water treatments will remove the pollution that filtration systems miss.

Knowing how to clean a fish tank information also needs to be based on the different types of fish that you could keep. You will find a wide selection in both saltwater and freshwater fish.

Freshwater
Freshwater fish have advantages, since they adapt to most Aquarium types. For this reason, freshwater fish is often the first choice for hobby starters. Freshwater fish are tropical and cold-water fishes. The freshwater fish include the common goldfish, Reed fish, Banjo Catfish, Bumblebee Goby, and so on. Most freshwater fish adapt well to peaceful clean water but there are a few that prefer peaty waters.

Goldfish are small colorful fish, which come from eastern Asia waters and are normally housed in tanks, aquariums, or ponds. They tend to adjust to cool slow, flowing waters. Therefore, you may not need to purchase a heater for this breed, providing you are only housing compatible species. They can adapt to a variety of water temperatures and can live well in tropical environments. They are very adaptable but they need oxygen and that is why most of them swim to the surface to gulp air, oxygenating their system.

Reed fish on the other hand require water temperature set at 73 degrees or 79 degrees Fahrenheit and tend to enjoy well-planted tanks; therefore, this breed may not dwell in goldfish water.

Saltwater
Saltwater fish include the Powder Blue Surgeon and the Clown Surgeon. Additional saltwater species are the Gold Rim Surgeon, Leopard File, Orange Fin Anemone, Black Back Anemone, Clown and Red Girdled Anemone, Frog and the Yellow-Tailed Anemones. Saltwater fish tend to enjoy reef based tanks full of underwater ridges, rock and coral.

Once you establish the type of fish you want to keep you will be in a position to choose your fish tank. Once you decide your choice of breed and aquarium, you will then need to learn such things as where should you locate the aquarium in your home. You want to make sure that your floors will support large aquariums. The tank should be placed on sturdy flooring, and stands.

In addition, you want to avoid putting the tank near windows, heaters, and doors and remember that light will increase bacteria and algae build up. So you will need to learn how to clean a fish tank the right way. You also need to be aware of the following fish medicines, equipment, food, electricity supply, filters, air supply, heaters, etc.

Knowing how to clean a fish tank is important but is only one facet of the fish keeping hobby.

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Tips for Setting up a Tropical Fish Tank

There are a vast number of different tropical fish tanks and aquarium equipment to choose from for which can be daunting even for someone that may have kept fish before. Many people think that it would be a good idea to start with a very small tank but this is not always the best way to start. Small tanks require constant maintenance and the water condition can be difficult to keep to a good standard to keep fish healthy, in addition they can be easily overstocked. Therefore, a medium to large tank that is at least 60 centimetres long by 30 centimetres wide is a good size to aim for.

The next decision is shape as the fish tanks designs available. You can choose from: round, rectangular, corner and even wall tanks and can be made of either plastic or glass. Glass is often the best choice as it tends to be harder to scratch when cleaning.

Many aquariums also come with a stand or cabinet which is a good idea as they need to be positioned on a solid and level surface because a fish tank full of water is extremely heavy. For this reason it is a good idea to plan where you are going to place the tank carefully as they are very difficult to move once full of water.

All tropical fish tanks should be positioned in a peaceful position, away from draughts and sources of heat such as radiators and windows, or too much human activity and near an electrical socket for powering the equipment.

Beginners may find that buying a complete starter kit works well as it will come with all the equipment necessary to set up the aquarium saving the trouble of working out the right size filter or heater is required to suit the tank you are buying. Many suppliers offer a fish tank with heater, filter, pump and lighting included. Some even come with offers of plants and fish too.

Once you have your aquarium you can place an attractive substrate such as sand or gravel on the bottom. Any ornaments or plants are best positioned when there is a little bit of water in the tank but not when it is full. The equipment should also be fitted at this stage. Once you are happy everything is in place you can then fill it with water. Tap water is fine but it may need a water treatment or chemicals to ensure it is of the required ph and nitrate levels before adding fish. This can be tested using a water test kit.
Once full, it is important to be patient and wait 2-3 weeks after filling your fish tank to make sure the water has cycled and is safe for the fish. This gives time for the aquarium filters to build up the necessary bacteria to keep the water in good condition. You can also make sure the heater and other equipment is working well.

Once you are ready to stock the tank with fish it is a good idea to introduce a couple at a time to check the water is safe and build up the ecosystem gradually. As a guide approximately 1 inch of fish can be kept for each gallon of water in a tropical fish tank. The quantity should be calculated using the maximum size the fish are known to grow to. Introduce a few fish at a time and err on the conservative side of the maximum number calculation as over stocking can be a major cause of problems in a fish tank.

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Information to Know About a 125 Gallon Fish Tank

If you are looking for a 125 gallon fish tank, you will be pleasantly surprised to know that there are many options available to you. If you check out companies such as Aquarium-Design, which is a company that offers an incredibly wide and varied selection of aquariums, and at which you can easily find a 125 gallon fish tank to fit your needs.

Having a 125 gallon fish tank in either your office or home can be a great way to bring a welcoming and warm feeling to your location. However, there are certain considerations in regards to a 125 gallon fish tank, which should be taken fully and thoroughly into consideration. Such as the fact of where the best place would be to place the 125 gallon fish tank in order to have the best view of the aquarium.

Basically, the best place that you can put the 125 gallon fish tank aquarium is in a centralized location where everyone can see it, and so that it is visible from as many areas in the home as possible. You should remember about the support that is needed for such an aquarium however, as a 125 gallon fish tank, when full, can in fact weigh thousands of pounds as well as exert a great deal of pressure onto the underlying floor.

Therefore, the best idea is to look at the available blueprints and construction diagrams of your home, in order to find a proper location which will distribute the weight of the fish tank evenly across the floor, and usually the best location for this kind of tank is to place it on a ground floor on a major support beam, so that the weight will then be distributed as evenly as possible.

Health, Safety and A Power Supply

It is also important to remember to have your tank near to a power supply, as the simple fact is that you do not want a mess of cords surrounding the tank in your house; not only is this a bad decorating decision but this can also be a dangerous matter. As well, on the slim but still possible chance that the tank could break, having a number of cords on the ground could lead to an electrocution hazard. For all of these reasons, you should make sure that all of the wiring is set up properly and hidden as best as possible.

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5 Things to Consider Before Setting Up a 150-Gallon Fish Tank

Buying a 150-gallon fish tank requires a lot of responsibility. It is totally different from buying a five or ten gallon tank. The main reason why pet owners choose having fish is to lessen the hassle of feeding and maintaining their pets. If you opt to buy a big aquarium, here are 5 things that you need to consider:

1. You need enough commitment in taking care of a big tank. It definitely won't require only a few minutes of your time when you clean a 150-gallon fish tank. Be sure to make a scheduled cleaning time for it, once or twice a week is good. However, you should always have a regular check of your pet fish.

2. You need to choose a good location for your 150-Gallon aquarium. Remember that you are not buying something small so you need to make sure that the space you will have is enough to fit the tank and would have enough allowance for passage. Make sure that it is not be in an accident-prone area and that the place where you will put it is not of high temperature. Doing this can avoid possible disasters in the future.

3. Find a good stand for your 150-gallon fish tank. Usually, this size of tank weighs around 138 pounds. Test the durability of the stand that you will buy. Some people tend to use pressure test in order to know the stand stability. You can sit or stand on it. You can buy ready-made stands but most prefer custom-made stands to go with their 150-gallon fish tanks. In this way, they can design and consider the tools that they want to be placed under the tank. Before buying, determine how high you want your tank to be. Take note of the eye-level and overhead elevation.

4. It has always been a debate whether a glass tank or an acrylic tank is better. Of course, both have advantages and disadvantages. However, most aquarium experts recommend acrylic. An acrylic fish tank is lighter, cheaper and safer compared to a glass tank. Since you are buying a 150-gallon fish tank, you should think about the mobility of the aquarium. If the material is too heavy, just as with glass, you would have a big problem moving it.

5. Finally, think of people who would help you set-up the tank. Most of the time, 2-4 people are needed to set-up a 150-gallon fish tank. Of course, you don't want any trouble to occur during the installation so be sure you have enough hands to help you. Take note, as well, that too many people can also lead to an accident.

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The Importance of Fish Tank Cleaning

A lot of people enjoy admiring an aquarium that holds a unique collection of fish. A gathering of interesting plants, rocks, and other background details also adds to the appeal of an aquarium. Most importantly, an aquarium must be clean and well-kept. In fact, for someone who owns a beautiful collection of fish, scheduling fish tank cleaning on a regular basis serves a number of purposes.

First, fish tank cleaning contributes to the health of the fish. Oftentimes, waste and other materials from the fish end up beneath the rocks or shells in a tank. This waste can build up causing the water in the fish tank to become cloudy. Fish need to live in clean water in order to be healthy. Regular fish container cleaning San Antonio can remove some of that hidden waste that begins to collect on the bottom of an aquarium. Also, a film can begin to form on the plants or sides of an aquarium. Fortunately, fish container/tank cleaning can prevent this film from building up and causing health problems for the fish. In short, any collection of fish deserves a healthy environment to live in.

Next, regular cleaning of the tank can help maintain the condition of the various materials in an aquarium. For instance, an owner who creates an attractive aquarium setting using rocks, live plants, and shells most likely wants to keep all of those materials for as long as possible. After all, a unique aquarium can really enhance the décor of a home or office. Thorough fish tank cleaning San Antonio can remove the dust, film, and bacteria from an aquarium that could harm the fish as well as the decorative materials in the tank.

Some aquarium owners put a lot of time and energy into creating an imaginative theme for their fish tanks. For instance, some owners love the appearance of live plants in their fish containers or tanks. Other aquarium owners choose color themes and, then purchase rocks along with other aquarium fixtures that follow that theme. Some aquarium enthusiasts select certain types of fish to create a particular theme for a fish tank. Aquarium owners have the opportunity to choose from many creative possibilities. Not surprisingly, a dedicated aquarium owner wants to keep his or her fish tank in the best condition possible. Regularly scheduled fish tank cleanings can be the key to maintaining a healthy aquarium.

Finally, a serious aquarium owner must make it a priority to arrange for regular cleaning of fish container/tank. Corner aquariums in San Antonio is a favorable option for fish tank owners to checkout. People who own aquariums should do all they can to take the best possible care of both their fish and the tank.

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Setting up a Fish Tank Aquarium

It can be fun to set up a fish tank aquarium but as in all hobbies it pays to do some research before you start. Before you purchase any fish you need to cycle the tank correctly to ensure that there are sufficient bacteria to cope with the waste products of your fish. We recommend a fishless cycling method detailed below.

Choosing the Tank

Fish tank aquariums can be purchased in glass or acrylic. Glass tanks are cheaper, are heavier and occasionally spring leaks. Acrylic tanks are more expensive, rarely leak, come in a variety of shapes but do scratch easily. Acrylic tanks usually last longer than glass tanks.

Fish Tank Shape

Acrylic tanks come in a variety of shapes including cylinder, hexagon, octagon and round as well as the traditional rectangular shape. There are also wall tanks and coffee table tanks. The traditional rectangular shape is still the best however as the water volume to surface area is a maximum giving good gas exchange. For other shapes, with smaller water volume to surface area ratio, maintenance will be higher and more frequent water changes will be needed.

In general buy the largest tank that will fit where you will be placing it and you can afford. A larger tank requires less maintenance and you can fit in more fish without risking overcrowding.

Fishless Cycling Method

Requirements

Ammonia, nitrite and nitrate testing strips

Bacteria culture from an established tank - this can be some filter material or some gravel

Alternatively use a commercial preparation such as Colonize by Dr Foster & Smith or Biospira by Marineland
Unscented ammonia

Method

After adding the bacteria culture to your newly set up tank add 5 drops of ammonia for every ten gallons of water. Test for ammonia. If nothing registers add a few more drop until you get a reading. Continue to add the same amount every day until you can detect nitrites in the tank. Now add half the amount of ammonia daily until nitrate registers on the testing strip. At this point the nitrite levels should start to drop. When they reach zero the tank is cycled. Do a 30% water change and you are ready for your fish.

Choosing the Fish

Carefully research the types of fish that can be kept together. Community fish are those that live peacefully with each other. All the fish listed below are suitable for a tropical community fish tank.

* Guppy
* Horseface Loach
* Lyretail
* Hatchetfish
* Molly
* Leopard Catfish
* Neon Tetra
* Head Tail Light Tetra
* Opaline Gourami
* Platy
* Pearl Gourami
* Harlequin Rasbora
* Penguin Fish
* White Cloud
* Rainbowfish
* Black Phantom Tetra
* Australian Rainbowfish
* Ram
* Black Shark
* X-Ray Fish
* Spotted Catfish
* Blue Acara
* Plecostomus
* Rummy Nosed Tetra
* Serpae Tetra
* Spiketailed Paradisefish
* Blue Acara
* Angelfish
* Black Shark
* Pencilfish
* Cherry Barb
* Black Neon Tetra
* Bristlenose
* Chinese Algae Eater
* Upside Down Catfish
* Bala (Tri-Color) Shark
* Zebra Danio
* Elephant Nose
* Boesman's Rainbowfish
* Black Phantom Tetra
* Flame Tetra
* Dwarf Loach
* Green Catfish
* Dwarf Gourami
* Congo Tetra
* Blue Danio
* Bumble Bee Goby
* Bloodfin
* Glowlight Tetra
* Corydoras
* Banjo Catfish
* Cardinal Tetra
* Flame Gourami
* Giant Danio
* Clown Loach
* Festivum
* Emperor Tetra

Carefully inspect the fish tanks at the pet shop to make sure the fish look healthy and no dead fish are in the tanks. Research the fish you will be buying carefully and check up on their temperature and water quality requirements. Tropical fish will need a higher temperature than goldfish. Some fish are relatively peaceful when young but are bullies when fully grown. Tiger barbs are good examples of these.

Always avoid overcrowding. You will need a larger tank for bigger fish. For angel fish never use a tank smaller than ten gallons. After purchase never introduce fish to an established tank but quarantine in a separate tank for at least a week to ensure you do not introduce disease organisms into you tank.

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Fish Tank Aquariums - The 5 Most Important Things to Consider

Choosing the right fish tank aquarium can be overwhelming. With hundreds of fish tank aquariums on the market, which one should you get? Some of the fish tank jargon can be both intimidating and confusing, but choosing the right tank is probably the most important decision you need to make if you want be successful at keeping a beautiful fish tank.

Here are some of the most important considerations when choosing your aquarium tank:

1. Size - How big do you want to go?

The size of your tank will not only determine how many fish you can keep, but it will also dictate your budget. Generally speaking, fish tanks are priced by capacity and the bigger the tank the more expensive. As a rule of thumb you need to allow, 1 gallon of water for every (1) inch of fish you keep. In other words a 10 gallon tank can keep 10 fish with a length of 1 inch each. Overstocking your tank is the biggest reason why most fish tanks fail. Make sure you allow enough space for your fish.

2. Material - Glass or Acrylic?

Although we all think of fish tank aquariums as being made from glass, the latest trend is to make tanks from acrylic. Acrylic is light weight and more transparent than glass. This makes it look better and handle much easier than big bulky old glass tanks and acrylic tanks can come in a wide variety of shapes. Glass tanks still do have some advantage in that they tend to be more robust and have a longer life.

3. Location - Where are you going to put your tank?

Where do you intend to put your tank. This will also influence your decision of the size of tank you intend to get. Your fish tank should never be exposed to direct sunlight as this will promote the growth of algae and having yr tank too close to a hot or colds source can play mind games with your tank's temperature stability. Also, keep in mind that a tank filled with water can get really heavy. For most tanks above 10 gallons, standard home furniture will be insufficient to support the tank and you may need a special stand to support the weight.

4. Style - What shape and style are you looking for?

The days of plain old rectangular tanks are long gone. Apart from getting tanks in a variety of curves, you can also get freestanding tanks. These tanks offer a 360 degree view and the filters are usually neatly tucked away in the lid or base. There are some real interesting shapes on the market and some designs are even built into coffee tables.

5. Budget- How much can you spend?

Tanks can vary quite a bit between brands and manufacturers and the quality of filters, materials and lights can make a big difference in the price. The more sophisticated your tank gets, the more expensive it will be. You need to set a budget and try and stick to it - otherwise you can run wild and blow a small fortune by adding more features and gadgets. Save your money for the fish instead!

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Fish Tank Aquariums - The Right Size For You

One of the biggest mistakes that most aquarium newbies make is choosing the wrong size fish tank aquarium. Aquarium tanks come in many different shapes and size and not all of them will be what you are expecting to get out of your beautiful new aquarium.

Small aquariums are quite popular these days - mainly because of the space saving design. The problem is that small tanks can be very hard to maintain because such a small volume of water is hard to control and the smallest change in conditions can kill all your fish.

Aquarium tanks are classified into 3 different sizes. Small, medium and large. Small tanks are tanks that have a volume of less than 20 gallons while medium tanks have a volume between 20 and 50 gallons. Tanks that have a volume greater than 50 gallons are large tanks and although they can take up a lot of space they can really give you that wow-factor in any room or office.

The cost of a tank is usually determined by it's size as bigger tanks also require bigger filters and lights which adds to the cost. Although cost and size is an issue, the main consideration should be the fish and the kind of home you want to provide for them. Going too big or too small with your fish tank can make the difference between your fish having a long and flourishing life or a quick demise of your entire collection of expensive aquarium fish.

As a general rule of thumb you can calculate the size of your fish colony based on the volume of your tank. You should allow 1 gallon of water for every 1 inch of fish you intend to keep. Lets say you intend to keep two 3 inch fish then you need a tank with at least a 6 gallon tank.

Most people but way too many fish in their tank. Although the above rule is only a rough indication it will help you make a more flexible decision when buying a tank. Too little water for too many fish will make your tank maintenance unbearable and you will most probably end up buying new fish once a month.

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