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Tank Volume Inches Needed<br />

50 gallon Regular: 36 x 18 x 18<br />

55 gallon Regular: 48 x 13 x 20<br />

75 gallon Regular: 48 x 18 x 20<br />

100 gallon Regular: 72 x 18 x 18<br />

125 gallon Regular: 72 x 18 x 22<br />

200 gallon Regular: 84 x 24 x 25<br />

Taking people into consideration<br />

The people living with you are another important part of your tank placement<br />

decisions. Face it, your aquarium is going to make some noise, even if it<br />

is outfitted with the most up-to-date equipment on the market. Sure, it won’t<br />

bark, meow, chirp, croak, hiss, or growl, but it probably will do a little bit of<br />

bubbling, rattling, and/or humming once in a while.<br />

If your friends or family are like ours, they will actually enjoy all the neat little<br />

sounds that an aquarium makes. They may even find them relaxing. But other<br />

people may think your little aquatic setup is downright annoying. We usually<br />

get rid of the people before the tank, but if that’s not practical for you, your<br />

placement options may be limited quite a bit.<br />

Children are another important factor in considering the type of system you<br />

purchase. If you have small tots in the house, a tank full of piranhas will probably<br />

go over with your spouse like a lead balloon. A community tank filled<br />

with friendly fish such as guppies and platys may be more appropriate for<br />

younger children.<br />

Deciding where to buy<br />

Chapter 4: The Tank and Stand<br />

You have a few choices when it comes to where to purchase an aquarium:<br />

Your local pet shop: This is an obvious choice. The advantages of buying<br />

from a dealer are numerous. Dealer tanks usually have a warranty of<br />

some kind, depending on the store’s policy, and are in good condition. If<br />

you have any problems with your aquarium, you can often return it for a<br />

replacement or a refund. A dealer can also give you advice and help you<br />

pick out your equipment and livestock. The drawback of purchasing from<br />

a pet shop is that the prices are usually higher than at retail superstores.<br />

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