06 Equipment: Tanks
Description
This article is from the Beginning Fishkeeping FAQ, by Thomas Narten with numerous contributions by others.
06 Equipment: Tanks
Tanks come in many shapes and sizes, but there are only two types:
glass and acrylic. You will probably want to get a glass tank. In
summary:
Glass Acrylic
===== =======
cheapest per gallon more expensive per gallon
hard to scratch scratches easily (e.g. scraping algae
with razor blade)
scratches permanent scratches can be buffed out (though
not easily)
higher index of refraction lower IOR (tank distorts less when
viewed from angle)
empty tank heavy same sized tank weighs less (empty)
(important with tanks >30g)
Tank stand only needs to Special stand needed that supports
support edges entire base of tank (not just edges)
more easily broken harder to break
The size and shape of the tank is completely up to you. However, keep
the following in mind:
1. Contrary to first impressions, larger tanks are not necessarily
more work than smaller ones (within reason, see the TABLES AND
CONVERSIONS for information on large tanks). In particular, it is
easier to keep water chemistry stable in larger tanks than in
smaller ones (the less water, the more easily a small chemical
change causes a big change in relative concentration).
Much of the regular maintenance work does not require twice the
time for twice the size. For example, a regular partial water
change for a larger tank may require one more bucket of water than
for a small tank. That doesn't translate into twice the work,
since you already have the bucket and siphon ready, your hands are
already wet, etc.
2. It is very common for people to really like their fish tank and
want to add more fish. A larger tank can hold more fish safely.
Indeed, a single 10g tank adequately supports only a handful of
medium sized fish.
3. Note, however, that the number of fish that a tank can safely hold
depends not only on the volume of the tank, but on its shape. For
example, some fish spend their entire lives near the bottom.
Doubling the volume of a tank by doubling its height won't allow
you to keep more bottom dwelling fish. Surface area is more
important than volume in determining how many fish a tank can
support.
If possible, start with at 20g (or larger) rather than a 10g (or
smaller). A 20g (``high'' or ``tall'') makes an excellent first tank
size. Avoid all tanks smaller than 10g. They are simply too small to
keep healthy. For example, although many stores sell them, the tiny 1
gallon goldfish bowls are totally inadequate for even a single fish.
Stay away from them!
Continue to:
My Books
