How to Choose an Aquarium

The Tank

• 1

  Consider how much room you have for a tank. Remember that the tank will need to be positioned near an electrical outlet.

• 2

  If this is your first aquarium, start with a smaller tank. This will give you a good sense of how things work without a huge cash outlay. Starting with a 10- to 20-gallon tank is reasonable. The small tanks you see used in pet stores as terrariums are 10 gallons. A 10-gallon tank will cost less than $10; a 20-gallon tank costs about $35.

• 3

  Consider the various aquarium shapes. Tall octagons and hexagons are popular. Cube and cylinder tanks are also available. The standard is a long rectangle, which tends to look bigger than it really is and is therefore a favorite among hobbyists.

• 4

  Choose from plate glass or acrylic materials such as Plexiglas. Plate glass is heavy. Plexiglas scratches easily. Sections of plate glass are fairly easy to replace; Plexiglas tanks are often one piece, with rounded corners that look very fluid.

Accessories

• 5

  Consider getting a tank stand if that's appropriate for your space. This can range from a fancy wrought-iron affair to a you-build-it microwave cart. There's really no best stand. Consider the following: Sturdiness - water weighs almost 9 pounds per gallon. Water durability ' if (and we hope this never happens!) the tank leaks. Storage ' can you stash your supplies inside or underneath?

• 6

  Prevent escapees with a tank cover or hood. This will also reduce the evaporation rate. Full hoods have a light built in, though most people prefer covers made of two strips of glass connected with a plastic hinge, with a separate light.

• 7

  Let there be light - fluorescent lamps are really the way to go. They give off very little heat, cost less to run and are much better for your live plants.

• 8

  Avoid grow-lights because they encourage algae growth (meaning more work for you) and don't really bring out the colors of the fish.

• 9

  Think hard about the filtration system if you don't look forward to cleaning your tank. Top-of-the-line filters can set you back as much as $300. Opt for a power filter if your tank holds less than 50 gallons. Another choice is a corner filter. Check the glossary for more options.

• 10

  Keep it warm. Most tropical fish do best at 76 to 79 degrees F. An aquarium heater keeps the tank temperature steady throughout the day. There are two types of heaters - the traditional model that hangs on the side of the tank and the submersible, which is preferred by most fish enthusiasts.

• 11

  Add gravel. In addition to being decorative, this holds the plants down. Dark colors will bring out the colors in tropical fish better than light colors. You can use sand, crushed coral, dolomite or argonitein in a saltwater tank instead of gravel.

• 12

  Get plastic or live plants. Both are decorative and create good hiding places for your fish. Plastic plants are easier to maintain and are preferred by people new to the hobby.