Mostly, the aquarium, decorations, and plants settled on will determine the species that can inhabit the man-made ecosystem. Buyers must keenly look at the different varieties and their capability so that they can make an informed choice.

You can use this guide as a competent directive on what to buy.

Which aquarium can I buy?

Aquariums are basically constructed from glass or acrylic. Glass could be the most popular choice but both materials have their advantages and disadvantages.

Glass aquariums

Being the most popular, it is very easy to clean and is quite resistant to unsightly scratches. In addition, glass is sturdy and will only need reinforcement and support on the outer edges. On the contrary, glass is a heavy option and it’s also vulnerable to chipping.

Acrylic aquariums

Acrylic aquariums are super light and easy to move around the house so you can have your fish just about anywhere. Another plus for these is that they have smooth corners that are really hard to chip. More so, acrylic makes minimal distortion to the spectacular view. On the other hand, they demand a strong reinforcement at the bottom since they are prone to bowing. Scratching can be an annoying sight and these are easily scratched.

What to look for in an aquarium

Aquarium size

Aquariums come in all sizes from the very minute to the giant sizes. The choice depends on the number of fish you want to rear. For effective rearing, account for one gallon per fish so that there will be adequate room. When starting out it’s important to realize the smaller the aquarium the higher the rate of dirt accumulation.

Aquarium shape

A large percentage of aquariums are rectangular but other shapes are also common. They may be found in the forms of pentagons, hexagons and even bow fronts. ?However, you must always know that the surface area of the tank is a huge determinant of the amount of oxygen that can be held in the aquarium. In turn, oxygen will affect your fish. The shape will also impose a limit on the movement of the fish; the larger the horizontal length, the more the freedom for the fish.

Wall mounted aquariums

These will take up less floor space and therefore ideal for small apartments or any place with space constraints. They also present a minimal hazard in the room since they protrude less from the wall due to a narrow width.

During installation, they are mounted at the eye level helping in enhancing the view and can never be knocked over in busy rooms. These are great when they are installed as a decor but they are harder to clean and require more maintenance thanks to their minimalist design.

If you settle for this, prepare to pay more.

In-wall aquariums

This type is actually embedded in the wall and doesn’t protrude into the room. One of the most spectacular installation options is when you mount them in dividing wall so that they display in two different rooms. The only downside is that they take more work to be correctly fitted in especially when they are not part of the original construction plan.

Floor Aquariums

These are either placed on the floor or on table tops. They are obviously the easiest to install and they rarely pose any cleaning difficulties since they are accessible from various angles. On the flipside, they can be a hazard in the room if there is high movement.

Which aquarium should you buy?

Settling on the right system will depend on your needs and preferences. If you intend to place the aquarium in a public place, then you might want to choose a glass aquarium since it won’t be easily scratched. For private spaces where you may need to move the aquarium now and then, you could settle on acrylic material which also provides a better view.

To deal with space limitations, a wall mounted aquarium would work or better still you can have the spectacular in-wall aquarium.

Besides these factors, it is also good to consider the kit that is included in your purchase. Most aquariums come with a complete kit and you don’t have to purchases separate kits. However, some come with basic kits that may need to be replaced sooner than advertised. To be safe, make sure that components like filtration systems are of a good quality because they tend to wear out easily.