How big should your aquarium be? Aquariums come in many shapes and sizes. It is advisable to choose an aquarium that is at least 10 gallons / 40 L, since small aquariums are much more difficult to maintain. The waste build up in small aquariums is quick and quite large in comparison with a larger aquarium. A small aquarium will therefore require very frequent water changes. Changes in temperature or water chemistry will also take place more quickly in small aquariums. Rapid changes in the temperature or water chemistry are harmful for fish and aquatic plants.

Expert aquarist recommended a 30 gallon/120 L aquarium to novice aquarist, since this will provide enough room for more fish and is easier to maintain as it has enough water volume to dilute fish waste. A larger aquarium will naturally be even easier to maintain, but the benefits of an aquarium that is larger than 30 gallon /120L is not as significant as the difference between a 30 gallon / 120 L aquarium and a smaller one. A 30 gallon/120L aquarium is large enough to buffer against to rapid changes in water values, and It is therefore an ideal beginner size.

Planted aquariums come in many shapes ranging from rectangular to hexagonal or even cylindrical. While making your purchase, it is not only the beauty of the piece that counts. Mundane matters like how easy it will be to clean out the aquarium regularly, and how to keep all the nooks and crannies hygienic are important considerations.

The height of the aquarium is also a very important aspect. An aquarium that is very deep is complicated to keep for the beginner aquarist. Increased height means greater difficulty when cleaning and your aquarium might therefore always carry some amounts of waste even after a thorough clean up. Poor light penetration is another problem with a deep aquarium. Plants will not thrive in water that has poor light penetration and special lighting is therefore needed in deep planted aquariums.

The art of arranging aquatic plants in aquarium or Aquascaping require nutritional support regularly to maintain the fertility of the water plants. This can be done if we know exactly the volume of aquarium water. Knowing volume of aquarium water is also important to calculate the filter pump capacity which needed, and it is also useful for us to provide nutrition or medication for a sick fish in the right dose.

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How to choose between the acrylic and glass aquarium? As complement of the previous article Arylic vs Glass Aquarium, glass aquariums usually cost less and do not get scratches as easily as acrylic aquariums. Glass aquariums are also stronger, as they are bonded together by a silicone sealant. They need support only on the edges, unlike acrylic aquariums. Glass aquariums are very durable, and can last for many years without any problems. Proper aquarium lighting will make glass aquariums look almost as clear as acrylic ones. On a negative note can be said that glass aquariums are always much heavier than acrylic.

However, if you are looking for irregular shapes, than these are easier to obtain as acrylic aquariums. Acrylic aquariums are much clearer than glass, and have better insulation. This means that you can use a smaller heater in your aquarium to maintain the proper temperature. Acrylic aquariums do however scratch easily and can therefore only be cleaned with specially made soft pads. Removing scratches from acrylic aquariums can be quite a troublesome procedure.

The price can also be an important factor when it comes to buying your first aquarium. Glass aquariums are usually the cheaper alternative and there is also a wider selection of second hand glass aquariums than there is of second hand acrylic aquarium since glass aquariums are more durable.

When you have selected the best aquarium for your needs, it is time to take it home. Here is a checklist that you need to consider:

• Look for any scratches on the aquarium before you make the purchase.

• Test to see if there are any leaks in the aquarium.

• Take care not to load any heavy items inside the aquarium while you carry it home. This may lead to scratching or even breakage.

Get a tight fitting hood for the aquarium when you buy it. An open aquarium is never a healthy option. More water will evaporate form an aquarium where the water is open to sunlight, heat etc. Evaporation will lead to the water becoming concentrated with waste and animal- and plant debris, and can also cause water damages and mildew in the room around the aquarium.

Contamination from falling waste is another problem. With an open aquarium you will also risk casualties since fish often jump out of an open aquarium, and ending up on the floor is more often than not fatal for the fish unless you immediately spot it and put it back in the aquarium. Thus an aquarium needs a good and sturdy hood. These hoods come in various decorative shapes and colors. There are various aquarium accessories that go with your aquarium, other than the hood. An aquarium is a complete set of a number of equipment that works together.

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Aquarium glue is a pretty touchy subject in the aquarium hobby. Different glues are used for different purposes. Some will dry clear and invisible, others will hold water as in an aquarium glued with silicone based glue. Silicone glue usually used to form a waterproof bond in construction and repair of glass aquariums.

Simply put, people don’t trust the chemicals the glue can release into the water after extended periods of time. In my opinion, they are rightfully concerned as many of us spend countless hours and more money than we’d like to on our aquariums. That being said, here are some specific things to look for when trying to find a safe aquarium glue.

Frag glue - What to look for:

• Super glue products that say “100% Cyanoacrylate”
• Look for Loctite Super Glue GEL

Silicone glue - What to look for:

• Make sure it is 100% silicone
• Avoid anything with mold inhibitors
• Clear or black silicone

Aquarium Epoxy - What to look for:

• Make sure its a reef safe brand

Another thing to consider when choosing aquarium glue for aquarium construction is the glue pH. Aquarium with small or medium size (length 120cm) can use a glass glue with acidic pH. The characteristic of acid pH glass glue is dry and harden quickly, so that within 24 hours, the aquarium has to be filled water.

As for the large aquarium, you can use glass glue with a neutral pH. The characteristic of this aquarium glue with neutral pH is a long dry (2-3 weeks) and is rubbery, so it is more robust and more resistant to earthquakes than the glue with acid pH.

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In the previous article we have know that the Acrylic aquariums could be casted and molded into different shapes that were never though possible when only working with materials such as glass even to create new forms of fish tank that were previously unimaginable. However, before start to spilling all over your imagination in aquarium designs, a few things below should be considered first.

First, never making a convex aquarium since a convex shape will make the contents look bigger than the original (distortion).

Better to choose the aquarium size that elongate and low, rather than a narrow and high, because:

• A small shapes and elevated potential to make fish become stressed by lack of oxygen (gas exchange is hampered because of the narrow water surface)
• The aquarium that looks rises will make it difficult time decorating and maintenance, because the base of the aquarium difficult to reach by hand.
• The high aquarium will make the necessary light penetration for plants photosynthetic, so we need a stronger light.

The Aquarium shape which form on the left is a more advisable than that on the right. The consideration, the light penetration will be easier to reach the bottom of tank to water plant life. In addition, more easily decorated and maintained. Thus, there is no term aquarium that is too wide. The term that there is "aquarium that is too high".


The larger aquarium size will need more species of freshwater aquarium plants and tropical fish that can be maintained and more easily to maintain the quality of aquarium water. Conversely, the smaller of the aquarium size will be more difficult to maintain the water quality because a little change in one parameter of water can lead to large changes overall.

Garden Aquarium is a combination of the aquarium and terrarium. Planning the proper aquarium design will determine the success of a combination of aquarium plants and pond plants or land which will create a unique atmosphere in the house.

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Long before Dr. Johnston introduced his first glass aquarium, initial glass production have started in Mesopotamia about seven thousand years ago. Many objects made of glass found with the luxury jewelry made of precious stones.

Glass as building materials began to be used after the flat glass made in bulk in Rome, which is about 30 years BC until the year 345 AD with inflatable technique. Although the flat glass produced in small size and the quality was not good, but the inflatable technique is still used until 17th Century.

In the early 20th century, this technique has a mechanism that can produce glass sheets larger, but a less flat surface, causing distortion of vision. The quality is still quite adequate for the glass window. However, to produce higher quality - for example for a glass mirror two glass surfaces should be polished flat and smooth, so the price is still expensive.

Then in 1959, Pilkington managed to create a process of making glass called the 'float process'. This process can produce excellent quality glass; the surface is flat and free of distortion. The result of this glass is called a Float Glass.

Float Glass

The thickness of float glass ranging from 2 mm to 19 mm - with standard size 305 x 213 cm. While the largest size is 1143 x 305 cm. The varying dimensions give the flexibility to make Aquarium in a large size.

Tempered Glass Aquarium

Tempered glass is a hardened float glass by heating to 700° C, and then suddenly cooled by air spraying evenly on both glass surfaces.

At the same thickness the tempered glass three times stronger than ordinary glass to handle water loads, wind, and collision. "Tempered glass" could not proceed further as cut, polished edges, or make holes. All dimensions and specification must be determined precisely before tempering process.

When you use a tempered glass for aquarium, be careful with the edge or surface damage to the glass because it could be the source of the outbreak of the glass as a whole. When broken tempered glass fragments are dull edge pieces which prevent any serious injuries. Unlike annealed glass breaks into sharp edge pieces.

Laminated Glass Aquarium

Laminated glass is the unification of two pieces (or more) float glass which combined by a layer of Poly Vinylbutyral (PVB) film through the heating and pressing process.

Poly Vinyl film used was very clear, distortion-free, not wrinkled, and did not reduce the glass transparent. PVB film also has a flexible nature and can be very strong blend with glass sheets. Thus, the safety level of laminated glass is very high.

When the aquarium glass breaking then the laminated glass is not going to scatter but it's just cracked. Glass will remain attached to the film and mounted on a frame.

Commonly two sheets of laminated glass used for large-sized aquarium. But for the Aquarium or Glass pond which very large or high usually used three or more sheets of laminated glass.

As well as "tempered glass aquarium" before, the process of cutting and making holes can not be performed on laminated glass. Even if workable it would be very difficult and untidy. So, all sizes and holes must be known exactly before the laminated done.

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