Finding the right balance: weight, space, and cost.

The three most important considerations when deciding what size aquarium to buy are:

*  Weight Matters: Aquariums hold a surprising amount of water! A filled 55-gallon tank with a stand can weigh over 500 pounds. Make sure your floor can accommodate the weight of an aquarium.

*  Space: When deciding on an aquarium, make sure you will have enough space to perform maintenance on the tank. You’ll need room to clean the glass, perform water changes, and access equipment.

*  Budgeting: Aquariums come in a variety of price ranges. A used 20-gallon tank might be $120 on Facebook, while a new high-end 75-gallon tank can cost upwards of $4,500.

Bigger is generally better for beginners.

While there are many tank sizes available, starting with a larger aquarium is best for beginners. Here’s why:

*  Easier Maintenance: Larger tanks tend to be more stable and forgiving of minor water chemistry fluctuations, which can happen more easily in smaller tanks.

*  Less Risk, More Fun: Larger tanks provide more space for fish to swim and avoid overcrowding or ammonia spikes, common problems in smaller aquariums.

*  The 55-Gallon Sweet Spot: A 55-gallon tank is a popular choice for beginners. It offers enough space for a variety of fish while still being manageable for maintenance.

What size aquarium:

Can a small tank be too small?  Absolutely

Here are the reasons to avoid tanks that are too small for your chosen fish:

*  Cramped Quarters: Small aquariums are cheaper but get dirtier faster. A problem in a small tank will happen faster than a larger tank. For example, a spike in ammonia (ammonia kills fish) will happen more quickly in a 10-gallon aquarium than in a 55-gallon aquarium, leaving you less time to fix the problem.

*  The Myth of Size Restriction: Fish will grow to their full size, regardless of the tank size. Don’t stunt their growth by keeping them in a tank that’s too small. Don’t be mean. Buy the correct size tank for your fish.

Aquarium Wisdom: Factors That Matter Beyond Tank Size

Not Too Tall…

*  Tall fish tanks are very difficult to maintain. I had a 90-gallon “tall” tank. It was a major pain to clean. In fact, I disliked it so much that I took a seven- or eight-year break from the hobby. Height is a crucial factor in any aquarium design.

*  The sides of tall tanks make it almost impossible to reach the bottom. You must be able to touch the aquarium bottom. If the sides of your aquarium are too tall, you will have trouble with cleaning, replacing plants, and catching fish when needed.

*  If you plan to add plants to a tall aquarium, you will need more expensive lighting to ensure the light reaches the bottom of the tank.

How heavy is an aquarium, and why do you need to know that?

* The weight of water is 8.3 pounds per gallon.

* Weight Considerations: A 10-gallon aquarium filled with water will weigh at least 83 pounds. A 55-gallon aquarium filled with water will weigh nearly 500 pounds after you add in the aquarium’s weight and stand. A full 55-gallon aquarium places about 125 pounds of pressure per square foot on the floor underneath it.

* Second Floor Concerns: If your aquarium is located on a second level, such as upstairs in a house or an upstairs level in an apartment or condo building, the weight of the tank can pose a significant issue. Many years ago, I damaged my downstairs neighbor’s condo due to water leaks in pipes under the floor of my aquarium. The weight of the aquarium was pressing down on the plywood floor, which in turn was pushing down on the building’s water pipes that ran through my floor and into their ceiling.

* Supporting the Weight: The weight of a 55-gallon or larger aquarium cannot be solely supported by plywood. If you plan to place your aquarium on a second level, note that floor joists support the plywood floor. You can protect the downstairs from the weight of the aquarium by taking one of two actions:

* Support Option 1: Set your aquarium so that it runs perpendicular (think of an “X”) to the flooring joists (studs). Since the joists are spaced about 18 inches apart, you will have two supporting joists for your aquarium. Unlike plywood, the floor joists can handle and distribute the weight of an aquarium on their own.

* Support Option 2: If you have to set your second-level tank up so that it runs parallel to floor joists, you can spread the weight out by placing a strong piece of plywood under the tank (or better yet, a layer of 2″x4″ boards).

Finding the perfect spot for your tank

* Consider Your Space: A 55-gallon tank stand is usually four feet, two inches long, and thirteen inches wide. Will the aquarium and stand fit where you intend to place it? It would be a good idea to measure the area before buying the aquarium. Perhaps you could even mark the size of the aquarium on the floor with tape.

* Wall Distance: Place your aquarium about a foot from any walls it might be near. Occasionally, you will need to reach for items behind the aquarium.

* Minimize Disturbance: Place your aquarium where there is not too much activity nearby. Activity could stress the fish. Stress kills fish.

If you have to place the aquarium where there will be a lot of activity, paint the sides and back of it so the fish can’t see what’s happening. I’ve used black paint in the past, but now I’m using white.

* Painting Tip: Use an oil-based paint when painting your aquarium. Water will not damage oil-based paint.

* Removing Paint: If you paint a glass aquarium, you can remove the paint by using a sharp, new razor blade scraper to scrape it off. Wet paint with soapy water first; that way it won’t be as likely that the glass will get scratches.

* Provide Hiding Places: If your aquarium is in a busy area, add lots of rocks and plants, so the fish have a place to hide if startled.

Types Flooring

Wet Floors: The area where you place your aquarium will occasionally get wet. Take that fact into consideration when placing your aquarium.

*  Best Choices: The first choice for flooring under an aquarium is bare concrete or tile on top of concrete.

*  The worst choices for flooring under an aquarium are hardwood flooring or carpeting.

Last And Super Important

Use a builders level to level your aquarium so it’s not tipped to one side. If you aquarium is unbalanced to one side, that’s the side that is carrying more weight than it was designed to hold.

Interesting: “aquarium tank dining table” (Don’t try this at home.)

MONSTER TANK! For sale at only $14,450 Top row on the left. Go ahead, I know you want to look.

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*  What size aquarium should you get? 

*  Grow your aquarium plants so big they take over the world - or at least look cool.

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