The initial decision you must make as soon as you buy an aquarium is whether you plan to keep freshwater fish or saltwater fish. Its up to you whether you want to keep saltwater or freshwater, but if this is your first aquarium, then I suggest you begin with a freshwater aquarium.

Saltwater tanks are more expensive and more difficult. You have extra things to worry about such as the salinity of the water, water conditioning, and temperature. Because of this, freshwater fish are a good deal easier to care for if you are new to keeping tropical fish.

Here are a number of further things to keep in mind after you buy an aquarium:

Location
As soon as you are deciding on a location for your aquarium, remember that it may not be placed in uninterrupted sunlight, or everywhere else that may result in changes in temperature.

Also remember that your aquarium, as soon as it is filled with water, may be very heavy. As an example, a filled 20-gallon glass tank will weight about 225 pounds. Bear this in mind once you select on a location for your aquarium  as it will be impossible to move afterwards.

Level floor
You will ought a level floor for your aquarium, as this will reduce stress on the tank and reduce the chance of any cracks forming over time due to the floor being uneven.

Electrical outlet
Ensure your modern tank is located near an electrical outlet so you can plug in the heaters, lights and pumps.

Accessible
You will should to have easy access to your tank so you may well use the heater controls and air valves. You as well should to have room for a net, and room to move decorations around.

Shape
As you are choosing the shape of your aquarium choose short, longer shapes over tall, thinner shapes. This means there will be more surface area at the top of the water, which is better for your fish.

Size
It is best to choose an aquarium over 10 gallons. Why? Because it is just easier to take care of a fish in a larger tank than a smaller one. Whatever aquarium you choose, it is going to, over time, have a build up of waste material. In a large tank these toxic materials have more room to be dispersed. This way the water stays cleaner for longer, and will require less cleaning than a smaller tank.

Material
Aquariums can be made from glass or acrylic. Both have there pros and cons, but I recommend beginners to start with a glass aquarium. Why? Firstly, they cost less, secondly, they achieve not scratch so easily, and thirdly, they only have to to be supported by the edges.

As you may well realize, you should to put some time and consideration into where you choose to place your aquarium. All these things will play a part in which aquarium you decide on.

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