It used to be quite a simple job choosing an aquarium, but not now, as there are so many examples on the market.

So, when it comes to your favourite fish, what should you bear in mind when considering their home.

Firstly, think about the glass. It must be of high quality and of the correct thickness. As a guide, for those aquaria which have a water depth of more than 44cm, the glass must be at least 6mm thick. When aquaria are more than 90cm in length, they also should have 6mm thick for depths up to 45cm, and over that, the glass thickness has to be increased 10mm.

You don’t have to us glass of course; acrylic is an option, but bear in mind that there are pros and cons for each one. On the upside, acrylic is stronger and lighter than glass; can be moulded into any shape without silicon joints; scratches can be polished out; boasts good insulation properties; and, can be drilled. On the downside, it can be marked more easily than glass, and is usually more expensive.

Glass is hard wearing and cheaper than acrylic, but if it does get marked, then it has to be replaced. It can also be brittle and different depths of water require varying thicknesses.

Floating bases are popular, as they do without the need for polystyrene to cushion the aquarium.

Silicone joints which hold together the panels of glass should always be tidy, with no unsightly edges. And all the panels of glass and edges should show no signs of damage, or wear. Keep in mind what lid you’re using and if the aquaria needs any bracing bars, make sure they look in keeping with the overall, clean effect.

Aquaria which are bought off the shelf tend to come in standard sizes, which range from 60cm, to 80cm, 100cm and 120cm.

As a guide to what these size aquaria will hold, a 60cm model is say best for a two smallish goldfish, or, maybe a half dozen (a shoal) of White Cloud Mountain minnows.

Opt for between 80cm and 100cm you can increase the number of goldfish to around six, or, say a small community of Rift Valley cichlids.

With the largest off-the-shelf design, 120cm, it will take a community of goldfish, or say a single large Oscar.

If you want a bigger aquaria than 120cm, it might be best to get one built to order.

When you’ve decided on the size of your aquaria, then you have to think about the styles, which can mainly be divided into three groups: basic, equipped and systemised. First up is the basic one, which is basically a tank with a lid, but with no equipment, or accessories. Equipped is as it sounds. It comes equipped with all you need to have to run an aquarium. A systemised aquarium comes complete with all the equipment needed, plus some additional goodies such as heating, fitted filtration and a protein skimmer.

When you’ve got your aquarium back home, think about where it’s going to be sited.

Keep it away from such things as direct sunlight, sources of loud noise, radiators, draughts and cramped spaces. Do site them near a power source (for the equipment, but not one that can be splashed), a tap (for refills) and a window (avoiding draughts, for draining when necessary).

When it comes to hoods and canopies, there a wide range available, including those with built-in lighting. Look out for hoods that have at least two tubes, allow easy cleaning and have light reflectors.

Cabinets tend to add the finishing touch to an aquarium. It supports the weight of the tank, and comes in a number of styles and designs which can be used to match your own furniture. Make sure it is hardy and utilises the spare space with room for bits of equipment.

Backdrops can also be used to give that final look for an aquaria. There are a number to choose from and they can make the fish seem in their ideal environment.

Tags: Aquarium, goldfish, Oscar, White Cloud Mountain minnows