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