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Saving money by purchasing cheap fish tanks?
Several manufacturers and retailers offer inexpensive (that’s cheap
to the rest of us) fish tanks made of acrylic. These Aquariums can
be purchased for as little as $25 at retail outlets such as PetSmart.
While these fish tanks are cheap they do not lack for features.
After all you do want your fish to stay a live longer than a couple
of days don’t you? Long story about elementary school carnival and
goldfish comes to mind, but we’ll spare you the details. Who hasn’t
had a fish bowl and a couple of goldfish?
You should expect tanks in this price range to include a cheap air
pump, airline tubing, and usually even a light. However, with a fish
tanks at a prices this cheap you shouldn’t expect much more. You’ll
still need to buy the gravel, plants, and aquatic ornaments. Oh and
don’t forget the fish! Before purchasing a cheap tank make sure the
type of fish you want to own will survive in this environment. It’s
not a cheap tank if your expensive fish die!
Upgrade to a large aquarium?
While that 2.5 gallon $25 tank may seem like a bargain at first, you
may be pleasantly surprised by what you can get in the $50 range. A
large fish tank allows you to have more fish and get more enjoyment
out of the experience. Plus they just look better in your room! We
are not talking a designer fish tank or a custom tank that creates
it’s own wall, just tanks that are more aesthetically pleasing.
There is a huge difference between a 2.5 gallon tank and a 6.0
gallon tank visually. Plus the larger tanks usually include a built
in filtration system. Again you should expect these tanks to be made
of acrylic not more expensive glass.
Acrylic vs Glass Aquariums
Acrylic aquariums are usually a little more expensive than glass
(except in the smaller tanks where the cost of materials is
negligible). Acrylic fish tanks are constructed using solvent welds,
which means they virtually never leak. Solvent welds are extremely
powerful and do not discolor as with other sealants. Acrylic is much
stronger than glass and will not shatter (making them more practical
in children’s rooms where safety is always an issue). The downside
to acrylic is the potential for scratching is somewhat higher than
glass. But fish tanks are for looking through, teach the kids not to
poke the pencils at the fish and you should be just fine!
Designer Fish Tanks & Custom Fish Tank Designs
If you are looking to make a statement with your fish and are tired
of big rectangular glass boxes then a custom built or designer tank
is in order. We’ve seen some outrageous designs – coffee tables,
octagons, columns, etc. For some cool designer ideas visit
Aqua
Design UK or
Designer Aquariums UK or
Cole
Enterprises Custom Fish Tanks. For a look at what’s
involved in creating a custom aquarium try
San Diego Plastics Aquariums.
You’ll need to work with a local contractor to build this type of
unit. We recommend you contact a reputable tropical fish & pet store
for a recommendation or consult your local yellow pages.
A very large tank may have to be built in place in order to prevent
the complete disaster that would occur in the event of breakage.
Consult a local contractor with experience in plumbing and or pools?
(See below for salt water aquarium recommended reading).
Where to buy fish tanks?
Avid Pets does not sell products, however we do link to and run ads
for vendors who may sell applicable products. We suggest you shop
around to find the fish tanks that interest you by visiting many
sources then compare prices and make your best deal. A link or
advertisement from our site does not necessarily represent our
endorsement.
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