Containers
Choosing a tank for your aquarium can be a difficult task.
When selecting a tank to house your fish, you must not only consider the species of fish, but also make sure that the aquarium fits your habitat as well. Here are some guidelines for how to select an aquarium tank
Arranged in descending priority
Size
Bigger is always better
When it comes to aquariums, an unavoidable factor is that they will produce waste, and a lot of it (nitrogen cycle). In larger aquariums, chemicals produced by waste build up relatively slowly, allowing more room for error and making them easier to care for. Larger tanks also mean a more humane living environment for aquatic animals.
A good rule of thumb is to start off with at least 50 litres, or 13.2 gallons of tank.
Placement
The placement of an aquarium impacts not only the amount of joy derived from it, but also the aquarium's overall success. A few factors for consideration are:- Visibility - Can you see it?
- Proximity to Electrical and water supply
- Temperature of the area
- Lighting of the area - Direct sunlight encourages algae growth
- Support - Can the location a heavy tank? Aquarium stands can be used if not
Price
The bigger your aquarium, the more expensive it is to maintain. Bigger aquariums hold more water, and thus require large heaters, bigger filters, more water conditioner...untold costs compound with larger aquariums
If you are on a tight budget, you may have to compromise on the size of your aquarium
Fish Stock
Fish grow. The majority of fish sold are babies/juveniles, and will grow over time. At full size, they may be too large for your aquarium
You should also leave space for offspring
Some fish are also unsuitable for sharing aquariums with others. Territorial and agressive fish are an absolute no-go for shared tanks with insufficient space
Opening Space
Fish breathe oxygen, just like you and me. However, the oxygen that dissolves into the water of your aquarium depends on the exposed area of water on the top of the tank
Consider the following tanks. Which one can hold more fish?
While tank B may seem obvious, they can actually hold around the same amount of fish. The opening of the aquarium determines the amount of oxygen dissolving into the water, meaning that both tanks absorb the same amount of oxygen. While you may use an airstone to aerate your aquarium, the opening of your fish tank is going to be the biggest limitation to how many fish you can stock.
Material
Hands-down, glass.
- Lower-maintenance - scratches less easily than acrylic
- Cheaper and more widely available than acrylic for smaller sizes