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.