Choosing your first aquarium can feel like an overwhelming process. What size? Should I try freshwater or saltwater? What inhabitants can I keep? This guide will help you navigate the essentials so that you can select the best aquarium for your needs.
Determine Your Goals and Interests
First, it's important to define what you want from your aquarium. One tactic is to visit your local aquarium stores to get an idea of what you're drawn to. Do you enjoy the natural beauty and simplicity of a planted freshwater aquarium? Or are you more interested in the vibrant colors in a reef?
Freshwater and saltwater aquariums will naturally have differences in setup and maintenance. Here are some key differences to give you an idea:
Freshwater: Just like the name suggests - freshwater aquariums utilize freshwater systems, meaning that no salt is added. Freshwater plants and species typically originate from rivers, lakes, and streams that can be found around the world. While saltwater inhabitants often steal the show for their bright colors, freshwater fish and invertebrates can also be found in beautiful, vibrant colors. Just take a look at the striking red cherry shrimp!
Saltwater: Saltwater aquariums, on the other hand, mimic ocean environments, supporting diverse marine life such as coral reefs, clownfish, gobies, and tangs. They require more precise water chemistry, including salinity. Corals and saltwater fish can be found in every color of the rainbow, and some of the colorations are so striking that it's hard to believe they're real!
Freshwater aquariums are often seen as easier to maintain than saltwater. However, thanks to advancements in technology and design, saltwater aquarium keeping is easier than ever.
Polycarbonate Lid: The addition of a polycarbonate lid greatly reduces water evaporation, which is especially useful on a desktop aquarium. When used in combination with an ATO, water evaporation is minimal and is quickly replenished.
ATO (Auto Top Off): One of the biggest headaches of owning a saltwater aquarium is maintaining a stable salinity. The salinity is constantly changing because the water is evaporating and leaving the remaining salt behind, causing a salinity increase. An ATO alleviates that headache by detecting changes in the water level and replenishing evaporated water with freshwater. This results in a consistent water level.
Size: For most of its history, saltwater aquariums were generally thought of as huge systems with massive water volumes. Nowadays, desktop reef aquariums that are 5 gallons and under are more popular than ever before. The PNW Custom Micro Tank is only 40oz and with the proper maintenance, it is a perfectly suitable and stable home for small gobies, invertebrates, and corals. Keeping a smaller aquarium means lower costs and a lower footprint, making them an easier way to get into the hobby.
2. Choosing Your Tank Size and Location
Now that you've decided whether to jump into freshwater or saltwater, it's time to pick the tank size that is right for you. A lot of this will depend on your vision, time in your schedule for maintenance, and your available space.
Get creative with the placement of your aquarium: Walk through your home and try to envision the placement of your new tank. Don't be afraid to get creative and think of out-of-the-box ideas!
Have a lot of unused counter-space in your kitchen? The PNW Custom 40oz Micro Tank or 1 Gallon Small-In-One can provide a ton of unique visual interest and color to your kitchen. It will instantly be a conversation starter for family gatherings!
How about a long bathroom counter? A bathroom may not seem like an intuitive place to set up an aquarium, but this can provide some unique decor and a fun surprise for your guests. Plus, any water spills are easily remedied. A freshwater 1 Gallon Small-In-One with colorful shrimp and plants is a fun option for the bathroom countertop. Add a stand to lift the aquarium and make it eye-level.
Look outside of your home! An aquarium is an exciting option to liven up your dreary office space. Just make sure you get approval from all of the necessary constituents, first. A 40oz Micro Tank has a minimal water volume which reduces the fear of overflows or spills. Consider adding an ATO (Auto Top Off) and Reservoir for additional peace-of-mind when leaving for weekends.
When deciding on size, here are a few additional important details to keep top-of-mind:
For both freshwater and saltwater, a larger aquarium will naturally require more maintenance which translates to more time that you need to dedicate daily and weekly to your aquarium. For example, larger aquariums require replacing larger volumes of water during water changes. Larger aquariums will also have a larger surface for algae build-up, requiring more time spent cleaning the glass or acrylic walls. It is important to consider the availability in your schedule for maintenance.
If you're interested in keeping a saltwater aquarium and want to know more about the maintenance requirements, download our free Weekly Checklist. This checklist will give you an idea of what kind of maintenance is needed on a daily basis. It is important to note that this list was created to accompany desktop aquariums under 5 gallons. Larger aquariums will require more maintenance and more time for each step.
Desktop aquariums under 5 gallons are friendly options for beginners. Small aquariums are more cost effective and provide an easier way to get into the hobby without worrying about various types of equipment, huge bills for water, and daunting maintenance tasks. The 5 Gallon Small-In-One XL is an especially beginner-friendly option since it includes all of the necessary equipment such as the pump, light, media basket, media, and lid. This minimizes the complex process of deciding what equipment is or isn't needed for your aquarium. It also includes a multi-step setup guide to walk you through the process of setting up your aquarium, from start to finish.
Consider Your Budget
Aquarium pricing can be all over the map, and it may seem inconsistent from site to site. For pricing, it can be helpful to ask the following 3 questions:
Is this a bare tank with no accessories, or a full kit with everything I need to get started? A full kit may have a higher startup price, but it will save you time and money in the long run when you don't have to scramble trying to find correct and reliable equipment.
Is this tank a size that suits my current knowledge and needs? Smaller aquariums will naturally be less expensive to purchase, and they are more cost effective for beginners for a variety of reasons. For example, if a small tank crashes and you need to start over, you are minimizing the time and cost of materials to re-start and get the tank on the right track again. Smaller aquariums require less monthly material overall which leads to lower costs, such as water and filter media.
How costly are the inhabitants I want to add? Freshwater fish and invertebrates are typically cheaper than their saltwater counterparts. These costs can have a range from year to year. To get an idea of exact costs, visit your local aquarium store or browse sites such as LiveAquaria.
Take a Look at Livestock
Your desired livestock may also help determine which aquarium is best for you. If you're set on a specific fish or invertebrate, research their needs to understand what kind of environment they will thrive in. For example, small gobies such as the charming Green Banded Goby are best suited for desktop aquariums since they become easily lost in a large system. This is also true for freshwater shrimp which are not only the most visible in a small aquarium, but also the safest from predators that would quickly eat them in a big tank.
For saltwater corals and fish, consider browsing Biota's selection. Biota is a leader in the aquaculture industry and sustainably raises healthy and hardy fish in captivity, rather than removing them from their ocean environment.
Interested in learning more? Read our blog: The Top 7 Fish You Can Keep in a Desktop Reef Tank. We also have a blog specifically about invertebrates: Best Invertebrates for a Desktop Reef Tank.
PNW Custom specializes in high-quality, beginner-friendly desktop aquariums that come with all of the tools you need to get started. Below you'll find a list of the most popular PNW Custom aquariums for different levels of aquarists. Browse all of the aquarium sizes and options here.
Best for Beginners: Dive into aquarium keeping with the 1 Gallon Small-In-One or Small-In-One XL. The all-in-one style filtration makes maintenance easy and these aquariums come with a ton of essential equipment such as the light, pump, media basket, media, lid, and more. A thorough startup guide is included.
Best for Seasoned Aquarists: The 40oz Micro Tank provides a fun and unique challenge for aquarium experts! It also fits almost anywhere thanks to its small footprint.
Best for Betta Lovers: Bettas are incredibly popular fish due to their intelligence, personality, and wide range of color. The 4 Gallon Mini Pond is a perfect betta home and includes a long list of essential equipment to set up your new habitat with ease.
Best for Coral Growers: Grow, sell, and trade your coral in the 2.5 Gallon Mini Lagoon Frag Tank. This tank was designed to travel easily and provides a ton of space for growing and selling coral frags. An optional frag stand can be added with 54 holes and fits perfectly inside of the aquarium.
Choosing the right aquarium is an exciting journey into the world of aquarium keeping. By carefully considering your goals, budget, and available space, you can create a thriving underwater habitat in your home. Start small if you're a beginner, learn as you go, and don't be afraid to seek advice from experienced hobbyists or local aquarium stores. Happy fish-keeping!