|
 Aquarium Size
A recommended size for freshwater is at least a 10 gallon tank, and 29 gallons for a saltwater tank. Bigger is always better if you have the means, when you have a small volume of water, important water parameters change very quickly leaving no room for mistakes, so the bigger the tank, the less impact a mistake will have on your fish.
Location
You need to think about where your aquarium is going, and if you need a stand. If you are planning on using an existing piece of furniture you own, it needs to be sturdy, also keep in mind it may get wet sometimes.
Your tank should not be placed in area that receives direct sunlight for any length of time, or where it is subject to drafts and the temperature might be affected.
Acrylic or Glass?
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Glass |
Acrylic |
| Scratching |
Difficult to scratch and usually requires a relatively hard material and considerable amount of pressure.
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Very easy to scratch. It can get scratched easily in shipping, even by someone's clothes, jewelry, purse, backpack, etc. The scratches are easier to repair. |
| Weight |
More dense and heavier than acrylic. Usually weighs 4-10 times as much as an acrylic tank of the same volume. |
Lighter than glass and easier to move. |
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Cracking
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A sharp impact will crack or in worse cases shatter a glass tank. The force required to break a glass tank is significant. |
A very sharp impact will crack or shatter a piece of acrylic, but the amount of force needed for this damage is far greater than it is with glass. |
| Support |
Glass can be kept on stands with an open or incomplete top with little or no risk. The still needs to be level and strong enough to support the weight of the tank. Glass tanks require less structural support at the top of the tank from splitting or bowing under the weight of the water. |
Acrylic tanks require a stand that will support the entire bottom of the tank or else the bottom might pull away from the seams from the weight of the water. Acrylic may also require much more support across the top of the tank to keep it from bowing or splitting at the seems. |
| Clarity |
Maintains its clarity over time. |
Acrylic may yellow over time, because it's so fragile the amount of scratches will get worse over time and obstruct clarity. |
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