Freshwater

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Part I: Aquarium Basics
to any room. The disadvantages to towers is that they can be expensive, and it
may be difficult to find tall enough plants to make them look realistic without
buying specially made tall plants from the manufacturer.
Indoor pond barrels
Indoor barrels can make miniature versions of outdoor coldwater ponds
inside your home or on your porch. Great care must be taken when considering
the overall weight of a small indoor barrel, so once again consult with a
contractor to see if your floors can withstand the strain.
Choosing the Right Tank
There are many issues you need to address when you’re preparing to actually
purchase your aquarium. Size, water volume, and shape have a lot to do with
the type of aquatic creatures you can actually put in it. As you have already
read, there are many different tank sizes and styles to choose from. If you
start off with a tank that meets the needs of your individual project or system
(a large tank if you want a huge community of fish, for example), you have
one foot in the door of success.
Tank size
If you plan on setting up a freshwater system, you should purchase at least a
10-gallon tank to make sure your new fish have an adequate area to provide
stable water conditions. A smaller tank is harder to work with, can turn your
fish into instant sardines, and will eventually bring you disappointment and
heartache. Smaller aquariums are more prone to foul water conditions, which
can damage your fish’s health. A small tank also does not leave much room
for adding decorations or extra fish.
Always buy the largest tank that your budget and space limitations allow,
because increased surface area means better overall biological stability. A
large surface area provides good oxygen absorption and carbon dioxide
exchange.
Small tanks can be a real problem if you have a power or equipment failure. Due
to the small amount of water the tank holds, the temperature can drop very
quickly. An extended period of lost filtration (usually after several hours
depending on your aquarium size) can also foul the water to lethal proportions.