Page 33 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

CHOOSING THE TANK 31

Tanks and stands
A typical box-shaped tank is
made from panels of glass SITING THE TANK
held together by a special • Choose a firm, level surface; • Avoid drafty locations, such
silicone sealant, free from use a level to make sure as in a hallway. Never put the tank
chemicals that may harm fish. the site does not slope. by a window or anywhere else that
Colorful accessories like these lids The silicone forms a strong, • Decide on a quiet position by receives direct sunlight.
and edging strips can instantly change an electric outlet where the risk • Place glass tanks on styrofoam
the look of your tank. watertight bond and is also of accidental knocks is low but or a specially made mat to absorb
flexible, to prevent the with access for maintenance. unevenness in the surface.
panels from being pushed apart by the water pressure. Some
aquariums have a protective frame of plastic or metal, although
metal is best avoided, since it corrodes. Most tanks come with Second-hand tanks
a hood that contains light fixtures and helps reduce A more economical way of starting off is to buy a second-hand
evaporation from the water’s surface. tank. Always check glass tanks carefully for signs of leakage,
Acrylic tanks are costlier than glass aquariums, but they are and look for any scratches on the inner
much stronger and lighter. Acrylic is also clearer than glass surface of the glass. Such scratches may
and a better insulator (so the tank loses less heat to the seem innocuous at the time of purchase,
surroundings), but it scratches more easily and is harder to but they will be unsightly if they later
clean. “Plug-and-go” acrylic tanks can be bought with all the become colonized by algae, and the algae
electrical equipment already in place, so you can simply add will be virtually impossible to remove.
the substrate and decor, fill the tank, and turn on the power. Acrylic tanks need to be inspected closely
Whether you choose glass or acrylic, the finished tank is for scratches, discoloration, and cracks.
likely to be heavy—a 20-gallon (90-liter) tank, for example, Electrical equipment, such as a heater
can weigh 285 lb (130 kg) when full. Domestic furniture may or fluorescent tube, is best replaced, and
not be able to bear such loads, so consider buying a stand or the wiring should be checked by Massive
cabinet that is designed to take the weight of a full tank. a professional electrician. tower tank

TYPES OF TANKS
Today, there are many alternatives to the
traditional rectangular design, from tall
towers to hexagonal tanks and aquariums
with curved surfaces. Often the tank’s
supporting structure or a cabinet hides all
the electrical equipment from view so that
all you see is the fish, plants, and substrate.
Small rectangular tank Small corner tank Small hexagonal tank

Large cabinet tank Rounded glass tank Double tank with connecting tunnels

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