Build the Ultimate Home Aquarium

Build the Ultimate Home Aquarium

Home aquariums add beauty, colour and character to just about any room in your house, and according to Feng Shui principles, a well kept aquarium invites wealth and prosperity into your home. Here¿s the lowdown on building the ultimate home aquarium without breaking the bank.

First, you¿ll have to choose between a freshwater and saltwater aquarium. You can¿t mix these two and there are several factors you should consider before you choose. If you are a beginner aquarist, freshwater is probably better because saltwater aquariums are difficult to maintain.

Freshwater vs. saltwater aquariums

Freshwater fish are cheaper to maintain and caring for them is less time-consuming, compared to saltwater fish.
Saltwater fish look significantly prettier than their freshwater counterparts. So if the appearance of your aquarium is important to you, saltwater is a better bet.
Saltwater fish are usually more expensive.
Freshwater aquariums can be small (37-75 liters) and will fit almost anywhere. Saltwater fish, however, need much bigger tanks (about 151-189 liters).

Types of aquarium fish

There are literally hundreds of species of fish you can choose from when deciding who your fish buddies are going to be. For a freshwater aquarium, choose from Mickey Mouse Platys, American Flagfish, Angelfish, Blue Paradise, Blue Johanni Cichlid, Endler's Livebearer, Tiger Pleco, Boesemani Rainbow, Glofish, Albino Peacock Cichlid, Red Cap Oranda Goldfish, Emerald Green Cory Cat, Lemon Cobra Guppy and hundreds more.

For a saltwater aquarium, your options are equally limitless, Coral Beauty Angelfish, Auriga Butterflyfish, Clown Goby, Flame Hawkfish, Foxface Lo, Midas Blenny, Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse, Longnose Hawkfish, Volitan Lionfish and Damsel fish are just some of your choices.

Aquarium accessories

Depending on the type of aquarium, consider adding some plant life. Java Fern, Cabomba, Dwarf Hairgrass, Red/Green Cryptocoryne and Anacharis can be added to freshwater aquariums, while Red Mangrove Propagule, Halimeda and Maiden's Hair go well with saltwater. Also consider adding invertebrates such as clams, Mandarin shrimp and Olive Nerita Snails to freshwater aquariums and Blood Red Fire Shrimp, Blue Tuxedo Urchins, Bumble Bee Snails and Pom Pom Crabs to saltwater tanks.

Where to keep aquariums

Depending on the size of your aquarium, you can keep it almost anywhere in your house or flat. Feng Shui, however, suggests that aquariums should never be kept in bedrooms and kitchens.

No matter what species of fish or type of water you choose, do your research on fish compatibility. Some fish are aggressive and others are peaceful, so you must plan accordingly. Read up on aquarium water maintenance and appropriate fish food to understand the conditions under which your fish will thrive for a long time.