Choosing The Right Aquarium For You

As the world reimagines a universe where we spend a lot more time at home, there is no better opportunity to consider a hobby at home that will help you embrace nature and enjoy the relaxing and methodical movement of fish keeping.

You don’t need to be a seasoned aquarium pro to begin your fish keeping journey. Discovering exactly how to keep tropical fish as well as how best to position a large fish tank are just a couple of the considerations we can help you with at Aquacadabra.

Doing your research at the beginning of your journey will save you time in the long run as you establish the best ways to make the most out of this new addition to your home or office so that you can fully enjoy all the benefits having an aquarium has to offer. Remember, once your aquarium has been set up it will need to be completely disassembled to move to another position if you change your mind, which could cause your fish great stress - so getting it right from the outset is so very important!

Looking around at your environment and establishing the space you’d like your fish tank to appear is your first step to creating an aquatic setting. Perhaps you are looking for a small aquarium that will require low maintenance and can easily sit atop a desk, or you enjoy the luxury of a large office space where you can create a real show-stopping feature. We’ll help you decide where, how and which aquarium to choose to best reflect your needs.

Position

Deciding on the position of your aquarium prior to buying will help you decide on the key features to look out for when choosing the exact aquarium for you, as this location will impact everything from size, to both weight and shape. 

Key considerations in location:

• The filters and heaters in your aquarium run from electricity so will need to be positioned in close proximity to a power socket
• Likewise, being situated close to a water source is also important in the maintenance of your aquarium, so the closer to that - the easier the process will be
• Make sure you have plenty of space around the aquarium so that you can easily move around and access all parts of the aquarium. As well as easily being able to feed your fish, you will also need to be able to pay attention to filters, heat controllers and air pumps
• Pay attention to the temperature around your aquarium. Is it likely to get too hot because it’s near a radiator or too cold as it’s near a fan or window? The temperature of your aquarium plays a pivotal role in the health of your fish, with severe temperature changes resulting in unnecessarily stress for your fish - leading to sickness or death in extreme cases
• Considering the light situation in your aquatic environment is a key factor in providing longevity to the hygiene of the aquarium. Positioning the aquarium near a window with bright sunshine, even for a small amount of time, can encourage algae to grow in the tank which can be both unsightly and hazardous. If you do choose a position near a window, make sure to keep your blinds or curtains drawn 
• Sound sources close to your tank may equally stress your fish, from a slight tapping to the side of the tank to a loudspeaker that sends vibrations rippling through the water. Keep your fish happy with some peace and quiet!
• Looking closely at your chosen space and understanding the weight it will carry is also a primary factor, as choosing a large aquarium will also mean a heavy aquarium once filled with water. Test your area before you buy and if the side table or cabinet you’ve chosen cannot withstand the weight, consider a specifically made aquarium stand.

Size

Once you have chosen a location for your new aquarium, you are ready to decide on its size. 

You may assume that a small tank is ideal for beginners but that’s not always the case. Larger tanks tend to encourage more stable conditions, so choosing the largest style you can to suit your space and budget will help you get used to the practice of fish keeping. The larger the surface area of your fish tank, the better the oxygenation and the health of your fish. This hobby is one that can easily become addictive and you’ll likely want to build on your fish family pretty fast!

Chances are you already have a breed of tropical fish in mind. If so, consider their size and how many of them you’d ideally like to keep and then figure out the necessary size. 

For example, we suggest a 90 litre tank could hold 4-6 large fish and a 60 litre tank 10 smaller fish. A great size as a beginner, would be anything from 30 to 60 litres minimum. Research your fish family combination to work out the ideal litre size and also if the different breeds can live together harmoniously. And if you can’t stretch to a larger aquarium, decide on a different breed to ensure they live a long and happy life. Keeping tropical fish should be a pleasure for both you and the fish! If you’re unsure on which fish live well together - take a look at our guide on how to look after tropical fish.

At Aquacadabra, you can choose from different shaped aquariums to suit your space, each in a variety of volume options, ranging from 10 litres to 500 litres. Be sure to check all the dimensions to ensure the aquarium you choose will fit your space and conditions.

Design

A Corner aquarium is the ideal option when you have some unused space that is calling out to be brightened up. The ranges from Juwel and Fluval are available in a selection of wood finishes, perfectly complimenting your home or workplace.

Juwel Trigon 190 LED Tropical Aquarium and Cabinet, £625.00

 

Or as a true newcomer to fish keeping, a Rectangle tank from BiOrb makes a great starter kit and is really easy to set up with all the essential components.

BiOrb Flow 30L Aquarium, £129.95

 

A Cylinder tank can provide a small and inexpensive way to provide some interest to your desktop, a foolproof option if you’ll be happy with a small selection of fish.

Marina 360 Aquarium with LED remote, £49.99

 

Or perhaps you’re looking for the traditional appearance of a Bowl style tank. The biOrb style below is another ideal starter option with everything you need other than water and fish! 

biOrb Classic MCR 105L Aquariums, £299.99

 

A Bowfront style is one design quirk that can make your aquarium even more interesting. With it’s curved front it will offer a great presence in any sized room.

Juwel Vision 180 LED Aquarium Only, £369.00

 

Expert advice and premium fishkeeping equipment from Aquacadabra. 

Here at Aquacadabra, we’re one of the original specialist online aquatic retailers with a wealth of knowledge and are here to help you choose the right aquarium for your needs. 

We want to make sure you have a long and happy life with your aquarium and fish and we’re here to help you along every step of the way. If you have any questions you need answering, whether it be about the size of an aquarium, or which fish work well together, our team of friendly experts are here to help you get your new hobby off the ground. Simply get in touch with one of our friendly members of staff online at Aquacadabra today.