Freshwater

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Part I: Aquarium Basics
Retail superstores: These usually carry a small line of aquarium equipment,
but you don’t generally find a whole lot of specialty items such as
odd-sized hoods. The employees are usually trained in the basics of
aquariums at best, so you may end up with bad advice on more complicated
systems. Also, we find that the quality of livestock in this type of
store is not the greatest. (In fact, it’s downright scary!)
Garage sales: This is a really fun and practical way to purchase used
equipment at rock-bottom prices. But keep in mind that the aquarium
equipment is used and may have some problems.
Newspaper ads: These can lead you to a nice set-up at a nice price,
although reservations about buying used equipment apply. Buying
through an ad, however, may give you a chance to see the tank up and
running before you purchase it.
Online stores: There are many good dealers on the World Wide Web that
sell standard and custom aquariums. Enter aquariums for sale into
Google’s search box to get started. Online shops are mentioned in
Chapter 2, and buying fish on the Web is talked about in Chapter 8.
Before you buy a used tank, carefully inspect it for leaks, glass cracks, and
worn silicone. Fill it up and see if it drips. Check to see that the silicone seal
(the goopy-looking stuff in the corners and seams) is not cracked, peeling
away, or missing in some areas. A small break in the silicone can cause the
aquarium to leak. Look at each individual piece of glass in the tank to ensure
that it does not have any cracks or broken glass. If the aquarium has any of
these problems, don’t buy it.
If this is your first aquarium, avoid buying used equipment such as pumps.
An old pump could have frayed or worn wires that might pose an electrical
hazard. Once you get a comfortable with how your aquarium equipment
works, then it might be okay for you to take a chance on used equipment.
Ask the person selling used equipment if you can try the stuff out. If he or she
is uncooperative, simply look at your watch with a worried expression and
then burn rubber to the nearest pet shop.
What Aquariums Are Made Of
The high-quality aquarium products now offered by manufacturers is quite
mind-boggling compared to the old glass aquariums of the ‘60s and ‘70s. The
original metal frame tanks were very heavy and not very pleasing to the eye.
Fortunately, nonmetallic materials were developed that eventually replaced
heavy-metal frames and inadequate seam adhesives. This breakthrough in
aquarium construction was a direct result of complaints filed by fishkeeping
enthusiasts who demanded better products — ones that could be used for all
types of systems.