Where will you put it?

The size of your new freshwater aquarium tank will depend upon where it will go in your home so this should be your first decision.   To avoid excessive algae growth you should situate the tank away from direct sunlight.   Also you should not place the tank where it will be difficult to maintain the correct stable temperature, e.g. near radiators or draughts from windows and doors.   Ideally the tank should be placed in a quiet part of your home where the fish will not be disturbed excessively by passers-by, opening doors, etc.

Buying your Freshwater Aquarium Tank and Equipment

Acrylic or Glass?

As a general rule acrylic tanks are costlier than their equivalent in glass.   Acrylic happens to be more expensive than glass but this does not mean that it is any better.   Each material has a number of advantages and disadvantages.   The biggest disadvantage of acrylic is that it is so easily scratched.   Acrylic has the big advantage that tanks made from it can be manufactured in almost any shape.   Alternatively glass has to be thicker than acrylic so it is much heavier and it can break and crack but it is much more difficult to scratch.

Here is a list of their pros and cons:

Acrylic

• Easily scratched
• Light
• Difficult to break or crack – children safe
• Can be moulded into almost any shape
• Needs a stand supporting the whole of its weight otherwise it can split with the weight of the water
• Thinner and easier to drill through for filters etc.
• Less distortion because it is thinner
• Can yellow with age
• More expensive

Glass

• Hard to scratch
• Heavy
• Can break or crack – may be a hazard when children are about
• Limited to certain shapes mostly rectangular although bowed fron glass tanks are now available
• More rigid so they can be placed on an open stand
• Thicker and difficult to drill through
• More distortion due to its thickness
• Does not yellow with age so they maintain clarity over a long time
• Less expensive

Acrylic tanks have to be more carefully maintained than glass using acrylic safe tools particularly those used to scrape off algae.

To sum up, If you just want a standard rectangular tank then it is probably best to go with glass.   It is likely that your only choice will be acrylic if you want a tank which is either very large or an unusual shape.

Other Equipment

You need to choose the right equipment for your tank.   You should cultivate a good relationship with your fish man because he can be very helpful in your choice.

It is helpful to have some advance knowledge of what is required, basically this means a filter, heater, a lid with lighting, substrate (gravel or sand), backing material and other décor such as rocks, wood and real or plastic plants.   Once set up, you will need additional accessories such as a water conditioner, net, test kits, etc.   

The Golden Rules

• Never buy the tank and fish on the same day.   Curb your impatience to come home with everything you need all ast once!
• Go for a larger tank if you have enough space and your budget allows it.   Do not be led into buying a small tank simply because it is labelled ‘ideal for beginners’.   Larger tanks are more stable in terms of their water chemistry, temperature, etc.   Water conditions will take longer to change in a large volume of water so changes for the worst are less likely to take you by surprise. A three foot long (92 cm) aquarium holding approximately 100 litres (about 25 gallons) of water is a good size starter tank.
• Your tank needs to stand on a sturdy piece of furniture, for preference one that has been specifically designed for the purpose.   Water is very dense, large quantities of it weigh a great deal.   Water weighs 1kg (2.2 pounds) per litre. A regular tank size, say 36×12x18 weighs approximately 110kg or 242 lbs plus the weight of the tank, gravel, lid and decor.
• Prepare your tank and have it running with freshwater aquarium plants, heating and filtration for at least a week before the fish arrive.   Doing this gives the water condition a chance to stabilise and the good micro-organisms a chance to multiply so that the aquarium is ‘cycling’.
• Fill the tank with no more than 1 inch of fish to 1 gallon of water and remember that your new fish are probasbly babies that will grow rapidly.   There are many aquarists who like to be even more conservative uisng one inch of fish for every two gallons of water keeping fish waste levels low.
• Carefully add your new aquarium freshwater fish, do not just pour them in.   Float them in the tank for 20 minutes to allow the temperatures to equalise then add some tank water into the bag for another 20 minutes before finally letting them swim into the tank.

Conclusion

So that’s it.   First of all choose the best place to put the tank and then decide on its size and the best material.   Your home freshwater aquarium will be a success frrom the start if you follow the six golden rules.