Tank Selection
Posted by: GHarris in Fish Health, General Documents, Tank Maintneance, Tank Setup Add comments| Hot: |  |  | | | |
Tank Selection
There are three main areas to consider when selecting a new tank to add to your home. These three areas size, shape, and location are crucial to making your new tank a success. Each of these variables will have a direct impact on how well your tank flourishes and how much work is needed to keep your tank healthy
Size When selecting the size of your tank you need to keep the following in mind, a larger tank is easier to maintain than a smaller one. A larger tank naturally contains more water making radical and sudden chemical spikes unlikely. A smaller tank has less water to disperse the harmful chemicals and makes the chemical build-up faster. Any of the issues that you have with the environment in a tank, such as an algae build-up will take longer to manifest due to the volume difference between a large and small tank.
The size of your tank will also dictate what types of fish and how many of them you will be able to keep in your aquarium. The general rule of “1 gallon of water per inch of fish” applies here. In a larger tank you will be able to put a greater number of smaller fish or fish who will grow to a larger size. Certain types of fish will grow to be several inches and a larger tank will help ensure their health.
Shape When selecting a tank that is not the normal rectangular shape, in addition to size you also need to consider maintenance. In a octagon shaped tank there are more surfaces that will need to be cleaned if there is a spike in algae. In a tank that is in a non-traditional shape, an octagonal shape will also have its limits to decorations. Most of the decorations for tanks are designed for normal rectangular tanks so you will have to consider these changes in size when purchasing a non-traditional tank shape.
Location The location where you are going to place your new tank is an important consideration of the tank selection process. There are a few factors in placing your tank that can affect your tanks health. Factors such as placing your tank near a window or a vent can change the temperature of the tank. A window can give the tank the ample light it needs for the accelerated algae growth which will change the chemical make-up of your tank.