Finding the Perfect Aquarium

Aquariums are the sole item to make or break your aquarium setup. When choosing your aquarium you need to think about a few things to make sure the choice is right. Larger aquarium systems are easier to take car of however, they are more expensive because you will need more light and filtration to keep more water clean. The reason larger aquarium systems are easier to care for is because any impurity that makes its way into the tank will be diluted much more by the volume of water. Think of it this way. If you have a 6 gallon Fluval Edge aquarium and drop a table spoon of salt in it, it will have a much more dramatic effect on the aquarium when compared to dropping a table spoon of salt into a 100 gallon aquarium. If you are a beginner in the marine aquarium hobby you should try to get the largest aquarium system you can afford. This applies more to marine and saltwater systems since their inhabitants are more needy. Freshwater tanks with fish only are easier to keep and the beginning hobbyist can start with a 10 gallon tank successfully with relatively low upkeep.

Other things to consider are where the aquarium is going to be located in your home. You should strongly consider placing it in a public area are wherever you spend the most time in your house so that you can get the most enjoyment out of it. The following tips will help keep your system healthy and avoid problems:

-Stay away from sunlight. Sunlight will create algae outbreaks in your tank if exposed. Then you will be using your algae scraper more than you want to!

-Stay away from Stereos, Tvs, and Computers with speakers that may be loud. Loud sounds send vibrations through the floor into the tank and can stress the fish and creatures inside.

-Air and heat vents should be aimed away from the tank to prevent the tank from getting hot spots within the water.

-If you are getting a very large aquarium you should review your floor bracing and make sure it is able to support the amount of weight you are going to place on it. The typical 100 gallon aquarium weighs approximately 800 pounds without rocks, sand, fish, or any equipment. Also make sure the floor is level, unlevel floors can cause stress on the tanks glass and eventually lead to breakage.

-Make sure water and power are readily available to your aquariums space bubble, you will need to power several items such as filters, water heaters, and light fixtures. You will also need a water sources nearby to dump and change water from your aquarium.

If you need any help with your aquarium selection please let our customer support help!