Freshwater

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Part I: Aquarium Basics
Probably not. Building your own glass tank can
be very dangerous unless you really know what
you’re doing. It is not recommended for inexperienced
hobbyists and craftsmen. It is really
safer to purchase a tank at a dealer rather than
Different and Unusual Aquarium Styles
Along with different materials used for aquarium construction, there are also
many different styles of construction as well. If you don’t want a simple boxshaped
aquarium, you have other options to choose from.
Portrait aquariums
Acrylic portrait tanks are aquariums that are mounted on the wall of your
home, and do not require a stand; they mount on a wall stud just like a picture.
These tanks are great if you have small children at home. You simply
hang the tank out of their reach, so they can’t pull the tank off the wall. Wall
tanks are also very handy if you do not have a lot of floor space but still want
an aquarium. These tanks are so beautiful we’d want one even if we lived in a
12,000-square-foot mansion, which we don’t.
Portrait aquariums come in a variety of sizes, often ranging from 4 to 6 feet
wide. These wall hung tanks also offer a good choice of scenic backgrounds
and frame colors. When you look at your portrait aquarium, it is kind of like
looking through a window into an underwater menagerie.
Feeding your aquatic pets in your portrait tank is a breeze, because these
tanks have a feeding hole. Remember that these tanks have a small surface
area and are very thin, so you won’t be able to keep huge fish or large
amounts of fish in them.
In-wall tanks
Can I build my own tank?
risk building an inferior product the leaks water
like a sieve and turns your room into a permanent
water display that could put Seaworld to
shame.
These tanks are flat like portrait tanks but are actually mounted inside your
wall and are supported by wall studs (see Figure 4-1). If you want to put up
one of these models, it is best to find a contractor to install it properly. Make