We are not trying to put you off here, we want you to dive-in and enjoy fish keeping, but we also want you to start your new hobby with a clear understanding of what is required so you have a long and pleasurable life with your fish tank.
Think about where you want your new aquarium and what space you have to accommodate the aquarium and cabinet. Double check that really is the right spot for it, you should avoid:
The old adage ‘bigger is better’ rings true when it comes to aquariums, this is because:
What shape and style do you prefer?
There is a wide selection of aquariums available, from classical rectangular and bow fronted to cylindrical and bowl shaped.
Consider the ease of maintenance and the welfare of your fish (volume/surface area – as mentioned in Size) when choosing your fish tank.
Is it a ‘starter’ aquarium with everything you need to get up and running?
Fish keeping requires a fair amount of equipment to get going, and there are many aquariums available that come (more economically) with everything included, but the minimum would be:
Remember that there will be additional items you will need to buy in the early days, such as; gravel, plants, fish, a test kit, net, thermometer, other fish or water treatments and food. There are also ongoing upgrades and kit to keep your aquarium healthy and clean.
How much do you want to spend on your new set-up?
Finding the perfect aquarium for you is essential to success and enjoyment in your new hobby; the size, design and suitability for your needs should balance out with the budget you have available. Consider the ongoing running and care costs of the aquarium, fish and equipment.
Usually the primary reason for considering an aquarium are the beautiful and varied fish available.
When selecting your aquarium, you need to think about what type of fish you want to keep. Some fish like to shoal, so you’ll need plenty of room for them to live together. Others are territorial and require some rock or décor to set up their own ‘zones’.
Also consider how big the fish will grow - if you want a specific type of fish you need to allow room for their full adult size.
These make a great starter set-up. With beautiful curved glass for panoramic viewing and day and night lighting for great looking fish and plants – you can’t go wrong.
The kit also includes:
Each has a cabinet (available separately) designed specifically to hold the weight of the filled aquarium.
The three aquariums in the range all hold a generous volume of water; 48 litres, 64 litres or 120 litres and prices range from around: £100 and £200 (contact your local aquatic retailer for an accurate price).
These are a clever and stylish way to start your fish keeping hobby.
Complete with curved glass for uninterrupted viewing, a slick, low-profile, hinged hood that houses high performance/low wattage LED lighting for day and night viewing.
These aquariums also come with all you need to get up and running:
As well as all that, the Aquacare reminder system means that you’ll never forget those all-important monthly maintenance tasks.
These medium-sized aquariums come in 40 and 60 litres models and range from around £115 to £160 (contact your local aquatic retailer for an accurate price).
These aquariums are ideal for beginners.
They are classic rectangular shape with framed glass edging.
The kit includes:
Each has a cabinet (available separately) designed specifically to hold the weight of the filled aquarium. The three aquariums in the range all hold a generous volume of water; 65 litres, 110 litres or 160 litres and prices range from around: £115 and £190 (contact your local aquatic retailer for an accurate price).
We haven’t yet mentioned smaller – or Nano-type – aquariums.
These are usually made of acrylic and have a fairly small volume of water.
These are a niche style aquarium, can take a bit more experience and need especially attentive water care.
That being said, it doesn’t mean you can’t start out with a Nano aquarium, if that is all the space you have to dedicate to your new venture and you fancy a few micro fish and shrimps. It will just be important to educate yourself on - and practice - dedicated water care routines.
Have a look at our Edge Glow 18 litre ‘nano’ aquarium which have a very stylish glowing edge and helps new fish keepers by flashing a monthly reminder to do the water changes.
It is vital to bear-in-mind the ongoing time, money and care that fish require. As living creatures, they deserve as much dedication as any other pet you might choose to keep in your family.
Read through the useful articles in this website and we’ll take you by the hand on your new aquatic adventure.
Now, choose your aquarium, and let’s get going!