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Choosing an aquarium can be challenging,
especially if you don't know what you want, or what you are looking for. The
type of aquarium you select will depend on how much you want to spend, how much
space you have, and the number and type of fish you plan on putting in it.
There are basically major types of aquariums.
Those that are made of glass, and those that are made of acrylic.
When a you are choosing an aquarium, you may be
asking yourself these questions:
Can I use a glass bowl to
keep my fish?
What is the right size aquarium for me?
Why should I consider an acrylic aquarium?
Can I use a glass bowl to
keep my fish?
Glass bowls are very inexpensive, and you don't have to worry about leaks.
However, your fish will be happiest and healthiest in an aquarium with a
filtration and aeration system. If you decide to keep fish in a glass bowl,
choose a fish such as a betta that can breathe at the surface of the water.
Remember that without a filtration system you will need to change the water more
frequently.
If you have limited space, consider a 2 gallon
or 5 gallon plastic aquarium. These units typically come as a starter kit with a
filtration system, air pump and light. You can only keep one or two fish in
these tanks but they make a nice addition to an office, bedroom or kitchen
counter.
What is the right size
aquarium for me?
Well, the size of an aquarium depends on many factors, which include how much
space is available, the size and number of fish you want to keep, your
experience in keeping fish, and your budget.
For beginners it is usually best to start with a larger tank, actually the
larger the better, but we would recommend you starting with a 20-29 gallon tank.
While smaller tanks are less expensive, as a
general rule, the more water you have the easier it is to maintain stable water
chemistry and temperature. Stable water conditions generally lead to happier and
healthier fish.
In determining where you can put your aquarium
don't forget how much your fully equipped aquarium will weigh. With water,
gravel and decorations your tank could easily begin to weigh a lot. You
something stable where you can put your aquarium. You should consider a stand
made especially for an aquarium, because furniture is not always made to hold
all this weight.
About the Glass Aquarium
A glass aquarium is basically individual pieces of glass held together with
heavy plastic top and bottom frames. You will notice some clear, or black lining
along the edges, this is called silicone. Silicone is used to seal between the
glass pieces and the frame. The silicone seal not only prevents leaks, but also
cushions one piece of glass against the other, which aids in preventing pressure
cracks.
Glass aquariums are very easy to clean, they
don't scratch as easily as acrylic, and they are typically much lower in price,
than acrylic. They're made in a wide variety of shapes and sizes - from 5 gallon
up to 240 gallons and larger. Traditionally, glass aquariums came only in square
or rectangles, however you may now find them in hexagon, and euro
shaped as well.
Why Should I Consider an
Acrylic Aquarium?
Acrylic aquariums are typically more expensive than glass aquariums, but there
are advantages that acrylic aquariums have over glass aquariums, that may be
worth the extra cost.
Stronger...doesn't color...
Acrylic aquariums are constructed by using a
solvent to weld the seams. This technique assures that an acrylic aquarium will
rarely develop a leak. After the aquarium is assembled, the solvent evaporates
and the seams become stronger than the acrylic itself. These solvents pose
absolutely no danger to the fish within the aquarium. Silicone seams can
discolor with age; solvent used in acrylic aquariums does not yellow with age.
Safe around children...
Acrylic is 17 times stronger than glass and will
flex instead of shatter, therefore makes it virtually childproof. Because the
seams are stronger and the aquarium is more flexible, you can count on having an
acrylic aquarium longer. It's also more clear than glass, and is a better
insulator than glass, which means it takes less energy to heat the aquarium.
Acrylic weighs half as much as glass, and the rounded corners and fewer seams on
an acrylic aquarium adds a sleek design to the tank, not to mention some added
safety around children.
Scratches easily...
One of the major disadvantages to an acrylic
aquarium is that it scratches so easily. However, scratches can be removed or
lightened from acrylic whereas it is impossible to remove a scratch from glass.
Because acrylic aquariums can scratch easily, only those algae scrubbers that
indicate "can be used on acrylic" should be used. Never use an ammonia
product when cleaning the outside of an acrylic aquarium because ammonia will
crystallize acrylic. Use only a vinegar and water solution for cleaning the
outside of an acrylic aquarium.
Because of their design, acrylic aquariums
typically come with a full hood and fluorescent fixture that matches the
particular aquarium. Therefore if the hood breaks, you will have a much harder
time finding a replacement than you would finding a replacement for a glass
aquarium.
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