Looking at fish tank designs? Here's everything you need to know.
Fish Tank Design Information
The Facts:
There are as many fish tank designs as there are types of fish. You can purchase a fish tank, you can design your own and find a company to manufacture it for you, or you can even build your own. At its most basic, a fish tank is a clear structure designed to allow you to view the fish and plant life inside. Fish tanks range from a simple bowl to elaborate multi-sided designs for public viewing.
Supplies:
There are some basic requirements for a fish tank, regardless of the external shape. You will need a filtration system, artificial lighting, air pumps, and a heater. Some tanks also have electric powered water circulators.
What to Do:
First decide on what you want. Do you have a particular design in mind? A shape or size? Is the type of design you want a readily manufactured one or will you have someone custom build it for you? What space do you have for the tank and what stand will you use to support it? These are some on the basic questions you need to ask yourself when thinking about fish tank design. Then, go to your local pet store and talk with a professional there. Look at the various components that are available and determine if any of those meet your needs. They will be able to help you with the type of fish that would be appropriate as well as the type of plant life those fish would benefit from.
Special Considerations:
Water! Water is very heavy. This means that where you plan to put your tank and what stand you will need are very important considerations because you will not want to move the tank once it is full. Measure your space and make sure the weight of the tank can be supported in that area.
Other Tips:
A few good resources for custom built aquariums are www.aquariumsforyou.com and www.aquartaquariums.com. Here you can look at a wide variety of custom designs and get a feel for what will work for your space.
Expense:
From a simple glass bowl for $5 to an elaborate custom built tank for many thousands of dollars, a fish tank is a beautiful thing to have in your home or office.
