Looking at the Types of Aquariums

The best approach is not to buy the smallest and least expensive tropical fish tank because you want to save money.

A saltwater aquarium, and any aquarium for that matter, is a big investment in money and time, so don’t go halfway. Make sure you’ll have what you really need.

A tank that is too small can become a problem and take much more time to maintain than a tank that is the right size for your needs.

A few decades ago, plate glass tanks and goldfish bowls were the standard. Many of the tanks sold then were framed in metal and came in standard 10, 20, and 55-gallon rectangular sizes.

Thanks to the development of modern plastics, aquariums now come in wide variety of sizes and interesting shapes.

Both glass and acrylic tanks are available for freshwater or saltwater fish tanks. Each type of tank has distinct advantages and disadvantages.

Glass and acrylic tanks can be purchased as “reef ready” tanks. This means the tanks is predrilled with holes for equipment and plumbing, but this can be a bit more expensive.

Classic Glass Tanks -

Glass tanks are sealed with silicone rubber cement. Althought the most common aquarium design is rectangular, glass tanks are availble in a wide variety of multi-sided shapes like hexagon and octagon.

Glass tanks have the advantage of not scratching as easily as acrylic tanks.

Glass tanks can be heavy, however, and the larger the tank, the thicker and heavier the glass. Keep this in mind when coosing a location for your new tank.

Most modern glass aquariums have plastic frames rather than metal. The plastic frames provide stability as well as attractiveness. The frames come in a variety of colors and styles for matching your home’s decor.

The glass used for modern fish tanks may be be either plated or tempered glass. The important thing to rememeber is if you plan to drill holes in your glass aquarium for filter plumbing, make sure it is plate glass.

Glass aquariums are still the most common, but acrylic aquariums have their own distinct advantages and disadvantages. Acrylic fish tanks are becoming increasingly popular.

Unique Acrylic Fish Tanks -

Acrylic fish tanks are molded as a single piece with few seams. This makes them more transparent, but you do get some distortion of the tank inhabitants at the corners. Acrylic aquariums are also lighter than glass and are offered in more shapes and sizes than glass aquariums. Acrylic tends to be a stronger material than glass, so it doesn’t break or shatter as easily.

Acrylic fish tanks do, however, scratch easily and can also be quite a bit more expensive than glass. Algae scrapers and tank decorations can also cause damage to the tank when not properly handled. Although not easy to repair, scratches in the acrylic can be buffed out with special scratch remover kits.

When selecting and aquarium, whether acrylic or glass, be sure to select a tank with no scatches. Also check that no areas are devoid of silicone by closely inspecting the seams. And always check any item ordered online, especially a fish tank, to ensure there has been no damage in shipping.

Take pictures and contact the shipper if you have concerns about the condition of the fish tank and accessories that you purchase online.

Tags: acrylic aquariums, acrylic tanks, aquarium design, expensive tank, glass aquarium, glass aquariums, glass tanks, goldfish bowls, saltwater aquarium, tanks