Tips for Picking Out the Right Size Fish Tank

Fish keeping is a fun and often addictive hobby. Once you start fish keeping you will want to keep upgrading and upgrading the size of your tank until it becomes the centerpiece of your den or living room. The right size fish tank for the right size room can really liven up your room design with some light and color and life.

Before you run out and buy a fish tank map out exactly where you will be placing it. One of the first mistakes to buying a new fish tank is to set it up in the wrong place and then have to go through the trouble (and believe me, it’s a lot of work) of catching your fish, transferring them to a new tank or bucket, draining out all of the water in your tank, and then lifting and moving it to its new location. Fish tanks when filled with water are very, very heavy so make sure when you pick your spot, it’s a spot that your tank will be staying for a long time.

Find a place in your house that is not too heavily trafficked, especially if you have nervous or skittish fish that prefer darkness or shade. If you do have nervous or nocturnal fish like loaches make sure you have proper hiding spaces for them to crawl in or under to hide during the light hours of the day. Many fish that are constantly exposed to lots of movement and external excitement can become more succeptible to sickness and injury so make sure your spot is right for what kind of fish you are keeping.

Make sure your fish tank location is not in an extremely hot or extremely cold area of your house. Fish do not survive long if they are exposed to constant and extreme changes in temperature and even if you have a heater in your tank it sometimes isn’t enough to properly regulate. Make sure your tank isn’t near a drafty window or stuffy upper level bedroom or attic. If you have live plants in your tank proper sunlight is a plus but the UV light from your fish tank light can also be sufficient.

There is really no reason to go larger than a 60 gallon tank unless you have a good sized living room or basement to place it in. If you are renting your home or apartment it is also not the best idea to go larger than 60 gallons because constant moving of your tank can be stressful (on yourself and your fish) and difficult. If you follow these easy tips I’m sure your fish will be much healthier and your tank will get even more compliments from the many guests to your dwelling.

Alan Lomax is a freelance writer from Minneapolis, MN.

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