fish need homes too

If you’re thinking of getting an aquarium there are lots of decisions you will have to make. With such a wide choice of aquarium tanks available nowadays it can be difficult to know what to choose.

Here are a few tips about what to take into consideration before you make your purchase.

Things you should consider include: Size, Location, Design, Type of Fish, Lighting, Heating and Filters.

Firstly you have to think about what size aquarium tank will fit into your home, and how much space will it take up in the room you want to put it in?

You should also consider the weight of the tank when it’s filled with water and what you will put it on to support that weight. Some aquarium designs incorporate a cabinet underneath that supports the weight and also provides a handy place to keep cleaning equipment, food and other accessories.

Then you have to consider the size of its surface area, to make sure you can sustain a healthy environment. It’s easier to keep the water chemistry stable in a larger aquarium so buy the biggest tank you can afford and have room for.

Some types of fish need a lot of room to swim around, even if they are quite small, so if they are kept in an aquarium that’s too small it can cause them stress-related illnesses, even death.

It’s also important to consider the size your fish will grow to when they reach adulthood, if you buy them as babies. Some fish only feel safe if there are enough other fish to feel like they are in control of their territory. In this case you’ll need to buy more fish if you choose a large tank.

The aquarium design can affect the type of fish you can keep, due to the size and the amount of light it lets in. To keep a healthy plant-based ecosystem there should be enough surface area to let in sufficient light from the hood.

You should also consider where you’ll position your aquarium in your home and how much sunlight it will be exposed to. If there is too much sunlight focused on an aquarium the water can get dangerously warm.

You’ll also need a heater if you plan on keeping tropical fish but the wattage needed depends on the size of the tank and the temperature of the room you are keeping it in. If you have room you could think about having two smaller heaters rather than one large one as this helps spread the temperature out evenly and if one heater breaks the temperature will not drop too low.

Another important consideration is the filter as all fish need a filter and there are several types available to choose from - Internal filters, External filters, Sponge filters, Under Gravel filters, Sump filters.

When you are buying a tank ask for advice on these different types of filters or check the manufacturer’s guidelines, as what you need depends on the size of the tank and the type and number of fish you will be keeping.

You should also think about practical issues when choosing a design, such as children and pets, and how easy the access is to the aquarium tank, as you don’t want either falling in or sticking little paws in.

Another practical issue to think about is the access for cleaning and maintaining the tank. There are some unusual and creative designs out there, such as tall columns and tanks incorporated into dividing walls but they can be difficult to access quickly.

Once you have thought about your needs and preferences it is time to start looking around for aquarium tanks. Make sure you do some research and ask for advice from the experts, as you want to get this right. Keeping fish can be an expensive hobby so it’s worth spending a little time investigating all possibilities before you spend your money on the aquarium of your dreams.