Aquarium Tank Selection
The composition of the aquarium water is liable to change with the presence of aquarium fish and aquarium plants. To minimize the effect of any changes a reasonable quantity of water is advisable, at least 20 gallons (91 liters). This amount of water can be contained in many shapes of aquaria but the surface area is very important. The number of fish that a given volume of water can support depends upon the level of dissolved oxygen in the water, how easily it can be replenished and how easily toxic gasses such as carbon dioxide can be expelled. This occurs naturally on the water surface. The depth of the tank should be at least 30cm (12 inches) deep. These sizes are common in
starter tanks and are often referred to as a “double cube” tank. If your budget is large enough a larger depth is well worth considering as the final result will be much more pleasing on the eye. The following table shows some common tank sizes and capacities.
| Tank Size | Surface Area | Volume | Weight Of Water | Max Fish Capacity |
| 60*30*30cm (24*12*12in) | 1800cm2(288in2) | 54 litres (12 gallons) | 54kg (120 lb) | 60cm (24in) |
| 60*30*38cm (24*12*15in) | 1800cm2(288in2) | 68 litres (15 gallons) | 68kg (150 lb) | 60cm (24in) |
| 90*30*38cm (36*12*15in) | 2700cm2(432in2) | 104 litres (23 gallons) | 104kg (230 lb) | 90cm (36in) |
| 120*30*38cm (48*12*15in) | 3600cm2(432in2) | 136 litres (30 gallons) | 136kg (300 lb) | 120cm (48in) |
Types Of Tank
If you are planning to keep saltwater marine fish then do not even consider using an outdated angle-iron putty glazed tank as you will eventually have rusting problems. Be also very wary of second hand tanks. Due to the obvious damage and inconvenience of draining and repairing a tank it is often thought as false economy to use a second hand tank. Modern tanks look a lot smarter then the outdated angle iron framed ones; there are two types available, plastic (acrylic) and glass. The plastic is formed in one process and is used in small to medium fish tanks. It does however have a number of drawbacks. It is not particularly hard, so it scratches easily and tends to lose its clarity and after time will begin to go slightly yellow.
The best aquaria are those built entirely from glass and banded by silicone adhesive. Glass tanks are available in standard sizes but it’s possible to build your own. The glass should be optically clear on the front and possible sides (depends on location) and be of suitable thickness to withstand the water pressure. For a sidewall of 1 meter
(40 inches) tall the glass should be 13mm ( ½ inch ) thick. Tanks need not be made from all glass. They can have fibre-glass or concrete walls with glass fronts.
Tank Position
The actual position of the tank is very important. There are many places where a fish tank’s position is either unsuitable for the aquarium or could be unsuitable for the aquarium owner. Places where you should not place a
fish tank are close to a window that will receive direct sunlight as this may change the water temperature in both summer and winter and promote the growth of algae, on shelves or tables. The tank should not be placed next to doors or at the bottom of stairs. An ideal place is next to a chimney breast or in a quiet corner. The aquarium must be easily seen and accessible. There should also be power available. The site must be level and smooth. If you are mounting onto an existing surface then you should lay some polystyrene between the tank and the surface. These
problems will significantly reduce the life span of the tank as stresses will be applied to the glass structure. Many tanks can be purchased with a stand; this is normally worth the extra expense. If you plan to build a very large tank then ensure that the weight is spread out evenly, this principle should also be used if you are going to put a tank into an alcove or in walls or unused chimneys.
