Size
Generally, the bigger the better but there are some practical problems. How much space do you have? How long your hand? How much weight can the floor you continue? How much money do you have? Remember, the bigger the tank, the more expensive all the other necessary items will.
Long
If space is not a problem, try to find a tank that is at least 48 "(120 cm) long main reason is lighting -. The best and cheapest fluorescent lamps come in 48" long. short lamps are available but there is a more limited choice of types and spectrum. Also, short light tend to not "instant start" and can cause problems with some ballast. Finally, short light tend to be more expensive. If you can find the tank a little longer than 48 ", all the better A 48." Bulb and a pair of end cap or bulb holder may be slightly longer than 48 "and will not fit in the hood that outside dimensions of 48". Most tank manufacturers do not seem to realize that planted tanks require several watts enough to be successful and distinctive pair 18 "20 watt bulbs will not work!
We really like the 60 "(150 cm) long tank. It is a common European size but 60" long acrylic tank can be found in the United States I believe one of the manufacturers make 60 "glass tank, but it may be a special order. Extra length allows fits 48 "fluorescent lights in the hood without any problems. 12 Extra "also seems to create a visual display that is big enough also when we sat near the aquarium to observe it,. We seem to take a distance from the tank that allows us to see the goal of a 48" tank with our peripheral vision but the 60 "tank just enough long so that we do not notice expires. This gives the optical illusion that the tank lasts forever!
Width
More broadly tank is the better you can aquascape it. Having more width allows you to plant height of different layers of the background to the background. This gives a very good look and really make the aquarium look wider than they are.
Minimum width, we would recommend is 18 "(45 cm). Unfortunately, the most common and most expensive 48" long tank in the U.S. is the standard "55" gallon tank. The "55" only 13 "wide and very limited in what you can do with aquascaping you need. Consider a" 55 "only if the cost is a major factor in your decision. A 75 gallon tank is the size we would recommend as the smallest" The best "tank sizes.
A 24 "wide tank is very interesting and our next recommendation. Extra 6" seem more than it actually is when you begin to arrange the plants, rocks and driftwood. When you initially bring the plant home from the store, they looked very small and difficult to buy enough to fill the space. But after several months of growth, you will realize how much space a few larger plants to take when they are adults! A 24 "wide tank will be a large space for their" plant shows "you've always wanted.
larger tanks are available but should be considered carefully. Plants require a lot of maintenance, especially pruning and replanting. You may find it very difficult to reach the back of lower than 30 "(75 cm) wide tank, especially if it is higher than 18". Some people we know have a large tank like that and they are reported to have a bath before work in the tank for fear of poisoning fish with underarm deodorant! If you are thinking of a larger tank, try it in the store first. Make sure you set at the height would have at home and pretend you are working in the tank. Relying on it for 30 minutes to see how his back feels.
High
This higher plant tanks are better able to grow to their full height (or more precisely, can grow taller than they should.) We have found that all the plant stem will grow at least 18 "tall, even that is not supposed to according to plant book. Having a higher tank means more time between trimming and better proportions overall.
We would not recommend going less than 18 "(too restrictive) or more than 24" (difficult access). Also, if the tank is more than 24 ", you will have more problems with the right lighting and may have to resort to expensive metal halide system depth is our favorite. 22".
Type
There are two types of aquariums that are available: glass and acrylic.
Glass
Glass is generally more expensive up to 120 gallons or so but it will be much heavier than acrylic if the glass is more than 1 / 8 "thick (as is typical in a standard" 55 ") tank, Most of the 48." Like 75 or 90, use 1 / 2 "glass A 120g tank (48x24x24) and 250 pounds empty weight. Can be very awkward to transport and move around. Make sure you have a few, large muscular friend if you go with something like this.
More resistant to scratches from acrylic glass but still could be scratched if you are not careful. A little rust on the razor you can leave some scratches as can be "pot scrubber" type material. Unlike acrylic, scratches in glass can not be polished out. Even worse, scratches inside will be very visible. Scratches on the inside of an acrylic tank is largely obscured.
If you are planning on drilling holes in the tank to the filter pipe, make sure your glass panel will try to drilling was not angry. It is very difficult to successfully drill tempered glass!
Acrylic
Acrylic has several advantages over the glass. The first thing you remember is the larger acrylic tank is much lighter than similar sized glass tank. Acrylic is clearer than glass - you will not see as much green (unless you pay a large amount of money for custom optical glass tank!). In the long 60 "or less, the tank has acrylic front and sides are formed from one part of the material - there are round the corner instead of a glued joint butt That's usually the first thing people comment on when they see the acrylic tank for the first time. Time.
There are some disadvantages. Acrylic will scratch much easier than glass, so if you have children or pets with paws you might want to avoid. Shallow scratches can be polished out with fine polishing compound and patience. Scratches in the tank is usually not a problem because the refractive index of acrylic is very close to the water - scratches "disappear" when they are under water! After a few years, you may notice that the inside of the tank when it is dry run away (during water changes, for example). This is due to the abrasive action is very little special cleaning pad that is used to remove algae from the inside. But this haze is also lost when wet.
When we bought our first acrylic tank in 1972, we were worried about getting the algae from the front - clear, plain razor is not recommended. We believe that algae will not grow in acrylic. Well, let me assure you that the algae would not grow in acrylic! But, fortunately enough, do not stick as well as in the glass. Algae hardest part is the small green spots that grow in the aquarium. This paper directly from acrylic with a white buffing pads but need a razor to remove from glass.
Drilling holes for the filter in the acrylic tank is not a problem. A hole saw can be used for slow speed drill and the tooth saved enough to see lubricated and cooled with water. During the acrylic does not melt as you drill, no problems.
The biggest drawback with acrylic tank is the top plate that is used for power. Unlike glass tank completely open on top or have a small center brace, an acrylic tank has a section on top with solid acrylic pieces for various purposes. This limits access to the tank to some degree. Make sure the tank you buy has a sufficient opening for the filter, heater cables and whatever else you use. Also make sure the main access hole big enough for you to easily work in the tank. If you buy a large stone or piece of driftwood, make sure it will fit through access holes! We bought a large piece of driftwood so that will not be included in the access hole. Before I started cutting it, I made a cardboard mockup of the tank and the access hole so I can remove just enough material from driftwood, but not too much! source aquatic concepts
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