So, you've decided to take up the aquarium hobby. The place for the aquarium has already been chosen, its future inhabitants are fish too, it's just a small matter - to purchase the aquarium itself. But how not to get lost in the huge range of models and options?
Shape and size
Probably the first thing aquarists think about is the size of the future aquarium. If you are still completely new to fish farming, it is best to start with, of course, a medium-sized aquarium. However, you should be aware that caring for a small aquarium, as paradoxical as it may sound, is much more difficult than for a large one. Why? The fact is that the microclimate of the aquarium and the comfort of its inhabitants are largely determined by the ratio of oxygen dissolved in the water. In the process of breathing, fish release carbon dioxide, which also enters the water. In addition, waste products pollute the water. Therefore, the smaller the aquarium area, the faster the water will become polluted and the more often it will have to be changed. And the more spacious the aquarium, the more comfortable the fish will feel in it.
The shape of aquariums today is also very diverse. You can order a design of any complexity and give free rein to your imagination. But, coming up with an intricate design of the future aquarium, do not forget that it must fit into your interior and be easy to maintain. It is most convenient to clean rectangular aquariums, they are also the most popular today because of their versatility: such a fish house will decorate any interior and take up the minimum amount of space.
Material and manufacturing method
An important detail is the material from which the aquarium is made. It can be glass, plexiglass or asbestos cement. Glass aquariums are made of two types: frame and frameless. In the first case, at the junction of the glass sheets, the structure of the aquarium is additionally reinforced with metal corners. Frame aquariums are heavier, but also more durable than frameless ones. If you do not want extra costs, and too much strength is not required, you can get by with the classic option - a frameless aquarium. Its parts are connected using silicone. It is frameless models that are most often preferred by amateur aquarists.
But plexiglass allows you to bend the walls of structures at different angles and make them rounded and asymmetric. These aquariums are usually made for offices or studios, but they cost much more than ordinary rectangular ones. Asbestos-cement aquariums are practically not used by amateurs, as a rule, they are made for large volumes of water in zoos or aquariums.
