| Perhaps you've enjoyed your tropical fish for | | | | aquariums with way too many fish because of |
| many years, or maybe you are just getting | | | | the turnover they have in selling them. This |
| started with this wonderful hobby. Whatever | | | | can lead you to believe that you can actually |
| the case, you may have questions and concerns | | | | place more fish in your tank than it can |
| about how to size your aquarium to best fit | | | | safely handle. If you have any questions |
| your needs. Finding the right size aquarium | | | | about how much room your particular tropical |
| that will provide the right habitat for your | | | | fish will need ask the salesman or consult a |
| fish is a process that doesn't take much time | | | | handbook. |
| and will ensure that you have an environment | | | | |
| you and your fish can enjoy for years to | | | | * Now remember, most aquariums have more than |
| come. | | | | just fish in them. They also may include |
| | | | tropical plants, other freshwater creatures |
| * The first thing you should ask yourself is | | | | (such as slugs or snails), decorative items |
| just how much room do you have for an | | | | and wood or rock pieces. Each of these items |
| aquarium? Perhaps you just have a small desk | | | | takes up valuable real estate in your |
| in the den to set a small aquarium on, or | | | | aquarium. Yet they are all vital components |
| maybe you have a huge inset wall that you | | | | of a successful aquarium. Tropical plants |
| could place a 200+ gallon tank in. While you | | | | can do wonders in keeping your tank clean and |
| are taking inventory of where you might be | | | | water well aerated. Likewise, snails and |
| able to place your tank, also look at the | | | | other freshwater creatures can also help keep |
| environment near where you have in mind. | | | | algae down in the tank which can sometimes be |
| Avoid placing an aquarium directly below or | | | | a problem depending on what environment you |
| above an air conditioning or heater vent. | | | | have. |
| Also, do not place the aquarium near a window | | | | |
| that gets strong sunlight all throughout the | | | | Now that you have mapped out all the |
| day. Finally, keep in mind that you will | | | | requirements for your aquarium it's time to |
| need a power source and a storage area for | | | | go shopping. Here your bank account may |
| the food and other materials. | | | | dictate what type of aquarium you can |
| | | | purchase. Larger tanks require more heavy |
| * Next, decide what type of tropical fish you | | | | duty filtration devices and water aerators. |
| would like to have in your tank. Each | | | | This can add up quickly. Many people who are |
| different species of fish has specific | | | | just getting into the hobby may be better |
| requirements for the amount of water and | | | | suited in checking out local yard sales, |
| space they need in a tank. Do not make the | | | | online auctions and the classifieds for |
| mistake of adding fish to your tank without | | | | people who are selling old aquariums for a |
| taking into account how much room they need. | | | | fraction of the price! |
| Most stores tend to over-populate their | | | | |