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So you think you want a fish tank? You’ll need to
ask yourself do you want a saltwater tank, with lots of little
Nemo’s, corals, seahorses, starfish, and/or anemones, or a
freshwater tank where you can have many different beautiful live
plants with fun snails, and shrimp? What does this all entail, how
long, and most importantly, how expensive?
Whether you are planning a saltwater tank or a freshwater tank,
there are several things that you need to prepare for and plan ahead
of time. Here are some questions to ask yourself to help determine
if a fish tank is a good choice and which type is best for your
lifestyle.
Hopefully by now, if you are serious about purchasing
a fish tank, you have done loads of research on the many different
types of aquariums and the types of fish you are interested in
keeping. Before purchasing a tank this decision will have to be made
because although many things are similar between the two types of
tanks, many are not. Your trusted aquarist will be of help to narrow
down the size of the tank you need based on your area at home, the
kind of fish you want, and how you want the tank presentation to be.
Be prepared to answer some of the following questions if wanting an
aquarist to help determine the size and type of tank you will need:
Location, Location, Location
Once you set it up and fill your tank with water it will be
exceedingly difficult to move it, so be diligent in how much room
you have, your placement, and how much room surrounding it. For
example, a 30-gallon fish tank full of water weighs approximately
348 lbs. and that is without the lighted lid, filters, heaters,
décor, and fish. This is one of the most important steps. The
location you choose should be decided upon very carefully. You will
want to pick a place that gives you plenty of room with enough space
to work and clean the tank. Hopefully, the main purpose of having
this tank is to enjoy the whimsical fish and view the tank.
Therefore, pick a place that fits the tank well while not letting it
get in the way or in a location where it could get bumped into or
tripped over.
Some new hobbyists will try to cut corners with equipment, but each
piece is really necessary for a tank, especially a hood with LED
lights. The hood will protect your fish from getting things
accidentally dropped into the tank, hands and animals going fishing,
will keep fish from jumping out of the tank (yes, this can really
happen) and the light in the hood will allow a calming effect in the
evenings for viewing.
• Also, keep in mind that the tank placement needs to be away from
direct sunlight, direct cold drafts, heat/cold air ducts, and near a
GFI outlet or waterproof surge protector. If you have a great
expense in the tank with expensive fish, it would be wise to
consider a backup plan for electricity as tanks cannot survive very
long without the air pump for oxygen and a thermometer to keep the
temperature at an acceptable level.
• You’ll also want to place this tank in an area where you can drain
and fill the tank as needed without carrying water long distances.
Cleaning out, exchanging water, cleaning, or changing filters or
rock is a messy business and you want to be close to a sink, if
possible, to cut down on the spillage. You will also need to place
your tank at least half a foot from the wall to accommodate the
filter you choose.
• If you decide not to purchase a fish tank/stand combo, then you
will need to place the tank on a sturdy heavy table with four solid
legs. Most tank/cabinet combos are built to be a smooth transition,
by standing higher than a normal table and making for the best
viewing options. Keep this in mind, because the height of the tank
will deter other animals and kids from getting curious.
Where do I go, what kind do I get?
• Some larger pet stores will have good deals on many
different-sized fish tanks with the cabinets and all the tools you
need to get you set up, so the guessing (other than what kind of
fish you want) has been decided for you such as what size filter for
the size of tank, heater, light hood, media, rack, rock/sand. Watch
out for those deals because they are usually at a much lower price
than buying each part separately.
• Search for the closest pet store that has a large selection of
aquatics available. If you live in a small population, chances are
you will have to travel to a larger city to find one of these pet
stores. Choosing a store where you feel welcome and comfortable
should be a major consideration since you will have lots of
questions and will rely on the staff to guide you, evaluate your
water, and help with tank issues during the set-up and continuous
monitoring throughout the life of your tank.
• Determining how big a tank that you need depends on what kind of
fish and how many you want. If you are more interested in a
salt-water tank, you typically need at least a 30-gallon tank to
start, because there are too many water fluctuations in a smaller
tank which leads to making it more difficult for the tank to grow a
stable ecosystem.
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Whereas with a freshwater tank, you can go much
smaller. An aquarist can help you with the size and number of fish
so that your new fish do not get stressed out and die prematurely.
This is your fish’s home, it needs to be spacious, clean, happy, and
safe.
• Think of any changes or additions you may want
to make in the future so that you can plan ahead and make sure you
have the space needed for this accommodation.
Saltwater Tank vs. Freshwater tank
Setting up any type of fish tank takes planning, but building a
salt-water tank takes much more time and patience. It takes several
weeks to get the tank set up and acclimated. Filling a fish tank is
usually the same process for both types of tanks and each type has
different chemicals (marine salt for salt-water tanks) to add to
your tap water to get it to the proper stability for the fish, and
for removing waste. You will also need to invest in a hydrometer to
measure the water’s salinity and specific gravity and for a
saltwater tank a saltwater test kit that should be used weekly in
assessing the water levels. However, remember to research your
specific fish because there could be additional requirements for the
chemicals or temperature of the water.
Freshwater tanks are relatively less expensive
because you can have a successful smaller tank such as a 10-gallon
tank with a hood, filter, and gravel for around $50-$100, with most
fish costing between $5-$40 each. Smaller freshwater tanks are not
very time-consuming since most freshwater fish are hardier and are a
little less stringent about having precise measurements in regards
to chemicals. If new to the aquarium world, it might be good to
start out with a smaller freshwater tank and gradually add to it as
your interest and hobby grows.
Saltwater tanks of course do not require a different
tank, it just should be at least 30 gallons for the best results.
What makes the saltwater tank more expensive and time-consuming are
the preparations for the exact water stability, temperature, and
fish. The cost for most saltwater fish runs greater than $50 per
fish and requires more chemicals and/or special lighting. Adding
corals or live rocks inhabited by natural algae and bacteria can add
another layer to monitoring the stability of the tank and can add to
the overall cost. The time spent maintaining a saltwater tank has
also greatly increased. The temperature of the water and the levels
in the water need to be monitored on a daily basis in the beginning
and at least weekly thereafter. Fish have a temperature range to
survive in and the water levels, especially the ammonia and the pH.
need to be tested. With a little practice, this can be done in the
comfort of your own home, but it is suggested to take a sample of
your tank water into your trusted aquarist for weekly testing (at
least the first few months) where they can advise you what chemicals
to add or purchase to get your levels into proper range. Typically,
this testing is free of charge but check with your aquarist first.
Once your tank is put together, and levels are
acceptable for your fish, according to your aquarist, please, please
follow your aquarist’s suggestion in introducing your fish to your
tank. Most individuals get so excited at this point that they just
dump the fish in hoping that this is the last step to a fruitful
fish tank. However, this is where most fish do not survive. Fish
come from another fish tank, where more than likely they will use
different chemicals, lighting, and water that differs from yours, so
as not to shock your new fish system with a different water content
or temperature, you must let the fish gradually get introduced to
your tank or they will perish. This takes patience and time and if
you follow your aquarist's suggested methods, then you will soon
have a beautiful, bright fish tank that you can show off to friends
and kids alike.
[JA Hodgdon-Ruppel]
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