Here are some quick tips to remember when you are looking to buy a fish tank (the glass or plastic  aquarium only): 

1. When you are buying a fish tank you should consider that most fish will not thrive in anything smaller than a 10 gallon aquarium due to the limit of available growing space.

2. Make sure the tank will be big enough to hold all of the fish you want. The best way to make sure you don't overcrowd a tank is to make sure that for every one inch of full grown fish that you have approximately 1 gallon of water. For example, if you have 2 fish, each at 2 inches long, then you should have at least 4 gallons of water for them. Also, consider how big fish will get at when they are fully grown. If you have a fish that is only 1 inch long when you buy it, but it is going to grow to 6 inches long, then make sure you are going to have 6 gallons of water just for that fish alone. One big thing to remember when you are doing all of this math, you will also be adding gravel, ornaments and plants into the tank, which take up space, so subtract 10% to 20% from your available tank space just for that stuff.

2. The smaller the tank the quicker it becomes dirty because there is less water and therefore less space for the filth to go. This would mean more frequent water changes and cleaning. A larger tank can be much more easily maintained than a smaller tank also because over time it builds up much stronger natural biological filters. 

3. Try to get a tank that is no more than 12 to 18 inches deep to allow for the best light penetration to the bottom of the tank. Even though water looks clear it still diffuses light and the further the light has to go the more diffused it gets, meaning that the fish and plants at the bottom of the tank will get less light than the ones at the top.

Read my other articles about the many accessories now included in the purchase of and sometimes seen as mandatory parts of a fish tank package. 

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