Choosing a fish tank may seem like a simple enough decision, but it can be the difference between a pleasurable hobby or a big disappointment.
There are several things to consider before you buy: Location.
Location will determine not only its size but possibly shape as well.
Keep in mind that tanks gain 8 pounds for every gallon of water added, not to mention the weight of the tank itself.
Rocks and gravel, ornaments, filters, hoods and stands can add up to an additional 4 pounds per gallon.
A 50 gallon tank can add well over 500 pounds of weight to a small area of your floor.
If your builder has cut corners with the floor joists this could cause an unexpected problem so inspect the floor before you decide what to place on it.
You certainly don't want your tank to shake every time someone walks by, list to one side, or, in a worst case scenario, to find it downstairs.
Prevailing room temperature must also be considered.
Excessive heat can cause a wide variety of problems while excessive cold can mean the added expense of maintaining a suitable temperature.
Consider the light in the room too, as direct sunlight each day can cause an explosion of algae growth.
Shape.
Shape is your second key consideration to look at.
There is a myriad of options to choose from and this is probably the second most important part of your initial decision.
Different species do better in different tanks.
If it is to be a show tank, then you want as much viewing area as possible.
High tanks serve Angelfish and Discus very well while a shallow tank with more surface area is more suitable to the fast moving surface fish like Danios or for Goldfish.
Shape can also affect aquarium plant life.
For example, Amazon Sword plants (Echinodorus amazonicus) grow large and need a wide, high area to grow in, while Anacharis (Egeria densa) and Cabomba (Cabomba caroliniana) grow long and tall.
Tall octagonal tanks may create visual interest but can limit your choices when selecting fish and plants.
The right ratio of water volume to surface area is an integral part of keeping healthy fish.
In tanks with a smaller water volume to surface area ratio, maintenance will be more time-consuming; more frequent water changes will be a given.
Rectangular tanks are the best shape as they provide the maximum amount of water volume to surface area, facilitating the best exchange of gases.
To calculate the surface area of your tank, multiply length by width.
Dividing that number by twelve will determine the maximum number of inches of fish you can keep comfortably in your tank.
If you'd rather skip over the math, simply follow these guidelines: all freshwater fish require about 12 square inches of space while cold water fish need 27 square inches and marine fish need 47 square inches.
Size.
The rule is to buy the largest tank that your budget allows that will fit the selected space.
Larger tanks will require less maintenance and fewer water changes than smaller tanks and less monitoring of the water quality.
But, you may want to start with a 20 to 30 gallon tank as larger tanks can sometimes be daunting to beginners.
Construction.
Fish tanks can be made from two different materials: glass or acrylic.
While the home hobbyist may be more familiar with traditional glass tanks, it should be noted that acrylic offers a number of advantages.
Acrylic tanks are available in an endless variety of shapes and are 17 times stronger than glass tanks as they are designed to flex rather than break, making them more impact resistant.
Another plus for hobbyists aiming to create a showpiece is the view; acrylic affords a clearer view of your fish than glass does with an optical rating of 93% which is equivalent to that of optical glass.
Acrylic is also a good insulator, which means more efficiency when it comes to maintaining water temperature.
Weight is lower by 50% and glass tanks use silicone for their seams which can spring leaks.
Leaks are rare in acrylic tanks because all seams are welded with a solvent which bonds into a continuous piece making the joint totally seamless.
The solvent dissipates upon drying and is not hazardous to fish.
One disadvantage of acrylic is that it scratches more easily than glass and interior cleaning has to be done carefully using materials made for specifically for acrylic tanks.
Cleaning pads are readily available at tropical fish stores for both inside and outside maintenance of your acrylic tank.
These tanks are also more expensive than their glass counterparts, but are worth the investment.
All of the public aquariums now use acrylic for their show tanks You should now have a better idea of the kind of tank that would work for you and create the foundation for a fulfilling, satisfying hobby.
There are several things to consider before you buy: Location.
Location will determine not only its size but possibly shape as well.
Keep in mind that tanks gain 8 pounds for every gallon of water added, not to mention the weight of the tank itself.
Rocks and gravel, ornaments, filters, hoods and stands can add up to an additional 4 pounds per gallon.
A 50 gallon tank can add well over 500 pounds of weight to a small area of your floor.
If your builder has cut corners with the floor joists this could cause an unexpected problem so inspect the floor before you decide what to place on it.
You certainly don't want your tank to shake every time someone walks by, list to one side, or, in a worst case scenario, to find it downstairs.
Prevailing room temperature must also be considered.
Excessive heat can cause a wide variety of problems while excessive cold can mean the added expense of maintaining a suitable temperature.
Consider the light in the room too, as direct sunlight each day can cause an explosion of algae growth.
Shape.
Shape is your second key consideration to look at.
There is a myriad of options to choose from and this is probably the second most important part of your initial decision.
Different species do better in different tanks.
If it is to be a show tank, then you want as much viewing area as possible.
High tanks serve Angelfish and Discus very well while a shallow tank with more surface area is more suitable to the fast moving surface fish like Danios or for Goldfish.
Shape can also affect aquarium plant life.
For example, Amazon Sword plants (Echinodorus amazonicus) grow large and need a wide, high area to grow in, while Anacharis (Egeria densa) and Cabomba (Cabomba caroliniana) grow long and tall.
Tall octagonal tanks may create visual interest but can limit your choices when selecting fish and plants.
The right ratio of water volume to surface area is an integral part of keeping healthy fish.
In tanks with a smaller water volume to surface area ratio, maintenance will be more time-consuming; more frequent water changes will be a given.
Rectangular tanks are the best shape as they provide the maximum amount of water volume to surface area, facilitating the best exchange of gases.
To calculate the surface area of your tank, multiply length by width.
Dividing that number by twelve will determine the maximum number of inches of fish you can keep comfortably in your tank.
If you'd rather skip over the math, simply follow these guidelines: all freshwater fish require about 12 square inches of space while cold water fish need 27 square inches and marine fish need 47 square inches.
Size.
The rule is to buy the largest tank that your budget allows that will fit the selected space.
Larger tanks will require less maintenance and fewer water changes than smaller tanks and less monitoring of the water quality.
But, you may want to start with a 20 to 30 gallon tank as larger tanks can sometimes be daunting to beginners.
Construction.
Fish tanks can be made from two different materials: glass or acrylic.
While the home hobbyist may be more familiar with traditional glass tanks, it should be noted that acrylic offers a number of advantages.
Acrylic tanks are available in an endless variety of shapes and are 17 times stronger than glass tanks as they are designed to flex rather than break, making them more impact resistant.
Another plus for hobbyists aiming to create a showpiece is the view; acrylic affords a clearer view of your fish than glass does with an optical rating of 93% which is equivalent to that of optical glass.
Acrylic is also a good insulator, which means more efficiency when it comes to maintaining water temperature.
Weight is lower by 50% and glass tanks use silicone for their seams which can spring leaks.
Leaks are rare in acrylic tanks because all seams are welded with a solvent which bonds into a continuous piece making the joint totally seamless.
The solvent dissipates upon drying and is not hazardous to fish.
One disadvantage of acrylic is that it scratches more easily than glass and interior cleaning has to be done carefully using materials made for specifically for acrylic tanks.
Cleaning pads are readily available at tropical fish stores for both inside and outside maintenance of your acrylic tank.
These tanks are also more expensive than their glass counterparts, but are worth the investment.
All of the public aquariums now use acrylic for their show tanks You should now have a better idea of the kind of tank that would work for you and create the foundation for a fulfilling, satisfying hobby.
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