| There is a wide range of sizes and shapes of | | | | The best way to choose the size of the tank is to |
| aquariums as well as a choice of glass or acrylic | | | | purchase the biggest tank within your budget that will |
| aquariums, so how do you choose the best aquarium | | | | fit comfortably in the location you have chosen. |
| for your home and for the fish you intend to keep? | | | | Aquarium Shapes |
| We have put together a guide to help you to choose | | | | Since the introduction of acrylic aquarium, different |
| the perfect aquarium. | | | | shapes have been added to the traditional rectangular |
| Where to Locate Your Aquarium | | | | shape including cylinder, hexagon and round aquariums. |
| The first thing to decide before you make a | | | | There are also aquariums designed to be wall |
| purchase is the location for your new aquarium. You | | | | mounted and coffe table aquariums. Despite all these |
| must take account of the final weight of the | | | | innovative designs the rectangular aquarium is still the |
| aquarium when filled with water if you intend to place | | | | best as the the area of water surface compared to |
| it on a shelf or table. A twenty gallon tank, once | | | | the water volume is large which is important for |
| filled, will weigh about two hundred pounds! Do you | | | | allowing the exchange of gases with the air. Other |
| need a stand or a specially designed cabinet? | | | | shapes, with a smaller surface area compared to |
| Aquarium Size | | | | water volume, will often need more frequent water |
| Aquariums for the home come in a huge range of | | | | changes and more maintenance. |
| sizes from tiny glass bowls to huge five hundred | | | | Do You Need a Glass or Acrylic Aquariums? |
| gallon tanks. You will want an aquarium that is the | | | | Both materials for aquariums have their advantages |
| right size for your home and for your fish. The first | | | | and disadvantages. The traditional glass aquarium is |
| thing to consider is the location you intend for the | | | | heavy and can spring leaks at the seams. Leaks are |
| aquarium. Measure the area to ensure the aquarium | | | | easy to fix however and usually only occur in an |
| you choose will fit. | | | | older aquarium. They are usually cheaper than acrylic |
| One thing to consider is that a bigger aquarium | | | | aquariums. They only come in rectangular or square |
| requires less maintenance. Small aquariums are much | | | | shapes. |
| harder to keep the water balance correct, are easy | | | | The newer acrylic aquariums are lighter than glass |
| to overcrowd and rotting food or vegetation can | | | | and come in all sorts of innovative shapes. They |
| have an immediate affect on the health of the fish. A | | | | rarely spring leaks as there are no seams. They are |
| good size for a beginner is between twenty and | | | | more expensive than glass aquariums but generally |
| thirty gallons. Decide how many fish you wish to | | | | last longer. They are easy to scratch however so |
| keep. Very roughly you can keep one inch of fish to | | | | never clean with any kind of abrasive chemical or |
| every gallon of water, but remember this is a rough | | | | other chemicals which can fog the glass. Acrylic |
| estimate and a lot will depend on the type of fish | | | | aquariums used to yellow with age but the newer |
| and how well maintained the aquarium is. Always | | | | materials stay clear throughout their lifetime. |
| understock a tank rather than overstock! | | | | |