HOW TO CHOOSE AN AQUARIUM FOR FRESHWATER INHABITANTS
If you want to have a freshwater aquarium, you should first familiarise yourself with the basic requirements. Decide which fish you want to keep in it and how you will equip it. Aquariums come in all shapes and sizes.
To find the perfect aquarium, you should think about which fish you want to keep, what size, how much time you are prepared to invest in its maintenance and installation. Answer these three questions and you will have no problem choosing your aquarium.
Size and type of fish
When you walk into a pet shop and walk through a hall with aquarium fish tanks on display, you need to keep in mind that most of the fish in the tanks are young. In order to determine which size aquarium you need, you should consider the maximum size of the fish you are going to buy - do not make the mistake of buying young fish, which may later reach half a metre in length. Consider the size of the fish to ensure that they will have enough living space in the aquarium when they grow up. When choosing the fish, also consider their compatibility in order to avoid problems with territoriality and interspecific aggression. Also be aware that some species must be kept in a species-specific tank, and sometimes alone.
Maintenance requirements
Many first-time aquarists make the mistake of thinking a large aquarium requires more time for service than a small one. This is a major misconception - a small aquarium requires more maintenance time due to the fact that it is much more difficult to maintain the biological balance. Over time, fish waste products will accumulate in any aquarium, and beneficial bacteria living in the same aquarium, recycling neutralize them. An aquarium with a large water volume is much more resistant to contamination, which reduces the need for frequent water changes. Therefore, if you do not have a lot of free time, it is better to buy an aquarium of 80-150 liters (or more) rather than an aquarium of 20-40 liters.
Aquarium and equipment costs
Keep in mind that the bigger the aquarium, the higher the cost will be. Although price should not be the main determining factor in your decision, it is certainly worth considering. Aside from the price of the aquarium itself, you also need to think about the cost of the equipment. Large aquariums require high-performance filters, heaters and lighting systems, which will cost more than equipment for smaller aquariums. If you're on a budget, you might consider buying an aquarium starter kit - these kits come in different sizes and often include all the equipment you need.
Other things to look out for
In addition to the requirements already mentioned, you should also consider how much space you have in your room for the aquarium. Think about where you are going to place the aquarium and then decide what size aquarium can be installed in that space. Remember that you should place the aquarium away from direct sunlight and away from batteries and air conditioners - these precautions will prevent excessive algae growth in the aquarium and eliminate problems with temperature fluctuations. You also need to think about the shape of the aquarium, which you would like. Modern aquariums come in a variety of shapes, including the traditional rectangular, curved and even hexagonal - consider whether you want your aquarium to have a unique look, or whether a traditional rectangular aquarium will suit you best.
