Aquariums For Sale: What You Need Before You Buy

There are many types of fish tanks and aquariums to choose from and picking the right one can be overwhelming unless you know what you want before you go shopping.

There are several things you need to consider:

• Saltwater or Freshwater
• Size of aquarium
• Shape of aquarium
• Glass or Acrylic

The aquarium itself won't be different for saltwater or freshwater but the accessories will be different. You also need to consider if you will have enough room in your tank for the type of fish you are planning on buying. Do your research and know which fish are compatible and how large they get as they grow. The shape is purely cosmetic and should be considered for the area the tank will be placed. Some are made triangular, obviously for a corner. But there are a lot of syles and shapes that are meant to compliment the room they occupy. Glass aquariums are usually cheaper and don't scratch as easy as acrylic. But acrylic tanks are sealed differently then glass and usually look nicer and the seal is stronger. They are also more lightweight.

Common saltwater and freshwater items:

• Aquarium (and stand if needed)
• Light/Hood
• Heater/Thermometer
• Filter/Bubbler (Filteration system)
• Plants/Rocks
• Powerhead
• Air pump
• Cleaning tools

Saltwater items:

• Substrate
• Sea Salt Mix
• Salinity tester
• Water Test Kits
• Supplements

Freshwater items:

• Gravel
• Wood or other decorations

Once you have made all of your choices, then comes the fun part. Shopping for your items and setting it all up! But remember, it is strongly recommended to let your aquarium cycle before you stock it.