Fish & Aquariums Aquarium Care & Maintenance

What to Know Before Buying an Aquarium

A child looking at a fish tank

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All too often new aquarium owners have a bad first experience with their new aquarium and give up almost before they get started. Considering the basic factors described below and planning before your purchase will help new aquarium owners avoid common pitfalls. Even for the experienced aquarium owner, planning is a good idea. Two of the most important and basic issues to consider when setting up a new aquarium are cost and size. In both cases, people usually underestimate what is needed, and may make compromises that cause problems later.

Cost

Potential aquarium owners often see the price tag on a special package deal and assume they can get started for a few dollars. Don't be fooled into thinking you'll get started in the hobby for fifty dollars or less. Realistically it will cost $150 to $200 to get a twenty-gallon aquarium with decent equipment. If that investment is too steep for your budget, it is wise to save until the funds are available to get everything you need. A good way to start is to make a checklist of what you need.

Make a Checklist

Expenses include the tank and stand, hood and light, heater, thermometer, filter, gravel, decorations, water treatment, water test kit, net, and cleaning supplies. All that in addition to the fish, as well as their food. Make a thorough checklist and go online or to a pet store, then write down the costs for all the items you are interested in. Sit down and determine what your bottom line cost is before you make your decision. You may be surprised to see the actual total cost.

If your budget is very tight, another option is to ask for help. Take your checklist of what you need and let your friends and family know that you'd like items from that list for your birthday, graduation, or as a holiday gift. That way you can get started without having to opt for inferior equipment, and your family can get you something they know you want. Maybe they will surprise you and give you the items without waiting for a special occasion.

Another option is to look for used equipment. Be aware that used tanks may leak, and heaters or filters may not work at all, and it's difficult to test them out before buying. So, ask questions upfront, and don't pay more than 50 percent of the original price for anything used. Don't be too afraid of dirty glass or decorations, as that can be easily cleaned. However, scratches and cracks cannot be rectified, so check used equipment closely for damage.

Size

Avoid tanks under 10 gallons if you are a first-time aquarium owner. Small aquariums are far more difficult to manage than larger ones, as toxins can build up very quickly in the small volume of water. Temperature changes and water chemistry changes can also occur very quickly when there are fewer gallons of water.

A must to avoid are those cute mini-aquariums that range from two to five gallons. Although some of the package deals in tiny aquariums may seem reasonably priced, they are not good for the first-time aquarium owner. If at all possible, go with a 20 gallon or larger tank. You'll have a much better chance of making it work, as a larger tank is more forgiving of errors you might make.

Consider Weight

Be aware that an aquarium larger than 15 gallons will weigh more than 200 hundred pounds when filled, and should be placed on a stand rather than a shelf or desk. You'll also need a place to put the aquarium that is not in direct sunlight or be subjected to drafts or temperature extremes that could harm the fish.

The location must also be capable of getting wet from time to time. Performing maintenance, adding or removing fish and other items from the tank will splash water around the aquarium. Keep that in mind if you are thinking about keeping a tank on your desktop or over a shelf of books or other items that might get wet.

Number of Fish

Lastly, be realistic about the size and number of fish you wish to keep. They will determine the size of the aquarium needed, which ultimately impacts the space you'll need to accommodate it. Even if you choose a larger tank, start with a few small easy to care for fish. As you gain experience, you can add more challenging fish.

In short, when first starting out, think big for tank size and small for numbers of fish. Plan before purchasing equipment or fish, and you'll have a good chance of success.