The size of a fish tank is crucial to the health and and happiness of your livestock. It’s about more than giving them space to breathe and room to roam. A fish tank that is too small can actually be harmful to the fish and other wildlife in your aquarium.
Let’s get this out of the way first: When it comes to the health of your livestock, you really can’t get a fish tank that’s too big. One issue with having an enormous tank is where to put it, but if you want a large tank, by all means go for it. We would love to install it and help you maintain it!
You’ll also definitely want to have RODI water delivered to you for water changes. Otherwise you would be looking at some very challenging work ahead.
That being said, it’s important to choose a fish tank that’s the right size for the quantity and type of livestock in your tank, and here’s why.
Why the Size of a Fish Tank is So Important
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The fish need to be free to be themselves.
Different fish have different personalities. Some like to be social, while others hide behind rocks or inside plants. Some enjoying swimming as quickly as they can across the entire tank, while others just glide angelically. A small tank simply doesn’t provide them with enough room to play, breed, or find shelter.
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They need room to breathe, literally.
If the tank is too small and has too many elements inside of it, oxygen will become depleted. That’s especially true if the aquarium isn’t adequately maintained.
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The water quality could become extremely poor.
Even with the best efforts, it would be more difficult than necessary to keep the water quality at an optimal level if the size of the fish tank is too small.
An appropriate fish-to-water ratio helps to ensure that the tank does not become saturated with debris and chemicals. It’s also easier to maintain the appropriate temperature in a fish tank that is the right size.
How to Choose the Size
Some hobbyists say that the size should allow for one inch of fish per one gallon of water.
However, the ideal size of a fish tank depends on a variety of factors, including whether you’re setting up a saltwater aquarium or freshwater aquarium. Most importantly, it depends on the personality, size, and quantity of pets you plan to include in the tank.
There really isn’t a one-size-fits-all rule, but following are some of the factors you should consider when choosing the size of a fish tank.
How much space do you have in your home or office?- How many fish will live in your tank?
- Is it a saltwater tank, freshwater tank, fish only tank, reef aquarium, or other type of environment?
- Are the fish active and fast or laid back?
- Will the fish become too big for the tank when they’re grown?
- Will your fish fight each other if they don’t have enough room?
Regardless of the size of your aquarium or quantity of fish you have, we know you want to give your livestock a comfortable home. For additional tips on how to set up an ideal aquarium or to order RODI water for your tank, visit us at Seatech H2O or call (602) 628-7270.