Aquarium Size and Location
This title is a little misleading, since with the myriad types and sizes of aquariums and aquarium
Freshwater Display Aquarium with Piranas
equipment available today, there is no simple “basic” set-up! But there are a few basic rules as to what is required to keep the fish happy in an aquarium.
The proper location must be used for the aquarium.
A really good book and knowledge of all of the fishes requirements before it is added to the aquarium is essential.
The aquarium must be large enough to provide a suitable space for the fish it contains, not just the juvenile size, but also the adult size.
The aquatic environment, regardless of the type of parameters involved must be kept stable. This will require a filtration system, lighting, heating, feeding and maintenance.
The proper remedies and back-up equipment should already be in place when needed.
The first step to deciding what is required for the aquarium is to determine the type of fish that are going to be kept. These can range from peaceful, freshwater community fish, to large Cichlids, or a freshwater planted aquarium, or marine fish or a mini-reef. Each type of tank environment will have its own unique requirements. Reading and talking to other hobbyists will be the best way to determine what is needed, though it is important to remember that there is no one-way to set-up an aquarium, what works for one person might not work for another! This is perhaps one of the most frustrating parts of being a novice in the aquarium hobby, there is no “absolutely right” answer. Ask 8 different people the same question and you will most likely get 10 different answers! Even the best system will not thrive without maintenance, so make sure to pick a system that WILL be maintained.
Aquarium set-up is certainly one of the times when big is better. The larger the aquatic environment, the easier it will be to keep it stable. Economy of scale applies to the filter and lighting systems, allowing a small margin of error missing from smaller systems. While the type of fish can restrict the size of the aquarium, often it is the planned location that dictates the final answer. The aquarium should be located away from windows to avoid direct sunlight and away from doors to avoid drafts. If the fireplace is used often or a wood burning stove is used in the house, these locations should also be avoided. Foot traffic in front of the aquarium should be minimized to avoid sudden movements that might startle the fish, though some will quickly adapt and learn to beg for food every time someone walks by! Since most filter systems are designed to hang-on the back of the aquarium and all other equipment have power cords, aquariums are usually placed with their back near the wall. Ideally there should be a 4 to 6 inch gap between the aquarium and the wall. Newer designs include aquariums designed to fit into corners, have a bowed front and/or may include a built-in overflow box to be attached to a wet/dry sump filter system. Acrylic aquariums can be found in a variety of shapes and are sometimes the best choice for really large aquariums, since their weight is significantly less, making them easier to put in place. Many aquariums are now used as room dividers, either free standing or built into a wall divider. While this set-up will have specific requirements (hiding filters and power cords), the results can be spectacular.
Just a few years back, aquariums were kept in basements and bedrooms, usually on a wrought iron stand, many with an aquarium on top and on the bottom shelf. Today, most aquariums have migrated to the family room and are kept on wood/acrylic cabinet stands. These cabinets do a better job of hiding the equipment and foods, etc. They also can look like a piece of furniture or be custom built to match the rest of the decor. This move to the family room resulted in the production of quieter filter systems, for those with “sensitive” ears, and the development of a larger selection of cabinet styles. The aquarium became part of the family, not just the hobbyist’s system.
When choosing a style of cabinet stand, it is important to take into account the type/size of the filter system. Most cabinets are either 28″ or 30″ tall, so the average canister filter will easily fit into the cabinet, just make sure there is a space or port for the canister hoses to pass through. If a wet/dry filter is planned, be aware that many are wider than the 12-13″ wide cabinets, and unless the back of the cabinet is open, the wet/dry will not fit. Cabinets for the 18″ or 24″ wide aquariums will usually not present a problem. For those aquariums with an enclosed canopy system, be aware that almost all lighting systems are as long as the aquarium, so the canopy needs to be slightly longer than the trim of the aquarium. This will allow the use of lighting as long as the tank itself. This will be more important on mini-reef and freshwater planted aquariums that require higher intensity lighting.
While the location can play an important part in the size of the aquarium, the adult size of the fish should also play an important role. This is where research, either from books or other hobbyists can become a deciding factor in the aquarium size. That cute little 2″ Pacu will grow to be a 36″+ behemoth! To avoid stress (death), it is important to offer the fish reasonable amounts of room in which to live. The types of tankmates will also play a role, since the interactions of the various species will require room to “get away” from each other and set-up territories for the more demanding types. In addition to the size of the aquarium, the interior decor can also help in making the fish feel at home in the aquarium. Clumps of plants (either real or plastic) can provide safe haven for a group of smaller fish and also provide a break in the line-of-sight between larger fish. “Out of sight, out of mind” really does work to cut down on the aggression between two would be tank alpha males. Plants placed near the end/side of the aquarium can also help define the boundaries of the aquarium, keeping darting fish from ramming into the sides when dashing around the aquarium. This can help avoid any fish from knocking themselves out in a moment of fight or flight. Some fish require wide open swimming space while others like to dart in and out of rocky caves. If the hobbyist wishes to provide a “feel at home” environment for their fish, care will be required to try and match the natural environment as much as possible. This will promote a healthy environment with less stress and disease problems.
In addition to the size of the aquarium, the shape can play a role in the types of fish kept in the aquarium. Most fish prefer an aquarium that is long and wide, versus one that is tall. This provides more surface area for territories to be set-up and more room to place aquarium decor. Tall and unusually shaped aquariums can make a striking display, but generally work best with smaller species of fish. Tall tanks will also make greater demands on lighting requirements if set-up as a mini-reef or freshwater planted aquarium. Often the narrow width makes this intense lighting problematic without the use of high intensity PowerCompact or Metal Halide lighting systems. Also remember that a really deep aquarium will require extra effort to clean the glass and place plants or rocks into the aquarium. Sometimes what is difficult to do will be done less frequently, so it is important to think through all stages of aquarium keeping before buying the aquarium. Without the proper set-up and continued maintenance, the chance of success with the aquarium will be greatly reduced.
