Building an aquarium is exciting. There are so many different options, variations, colors, sizes to choose from. When building your aquarium there are factors you will want to consider. The size and shape of the tank, the type of fish, and the budget you have for setting up the tank all play a role in the final design.

When it comes to size, one rule of thumb is that each gallon of water can support one inch of fish. So, for example, a 10-gallon tank could support 10 inches of fish. It’s important to remember that larger tanks are easier to maintain than smaller ones, so it’s worth considering a larger size if you’re able.

Fish you want to keep will also dictate the design of your aquarium. Some fish prefer open spaces, while others like many hiding places. Reviewing the habitat requirements of the fish, you’re interested in keeping will help you determine what type of design will be best for them.

Finally, you’ll need to consider your budget when designing an aquarium. Aquariums can range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, so it’s important to know how much you’re willing to spend before you start.

Freshwater Tanks

There are a few things to consider when designing a freshwater aquarium. The initial cost of the tank itself is one factor, but you’ll also need to budget for other essentials like gravel, plants, and fish. Depending on the size and complexity of your setup, the total cost can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand.

When designing your aquarium, it’s important to consider the fish you want to keep. The first consideration with the fish you want to keep is the price. Freshwater fish generally range around $7-$12, although they can average $1-$60. Another factor is different species require more space than others, and some prefer different water conditions. Do your research before buying any fish, and make sure they will be compatible with your setup.

Plants are another important consideration when designing a freshwater aquarium. Not only do they add beauty and interest to your tank, but they also help keep the water clean and oxygenated. Many plants are available, so take some time to choose ones that will thrive in your aquarium, or ask one of our professionals for plant suggestions.

Finally, consider the maintenance required for your freshwater aquarium. Keeping the water clean and filtered is essential for the health of your fish, and you’ll also need to perform regular water changes. Depending on the size of your tank, this can be a time-consuming task. Ensure you’re prepared to commit to the necessary upkeep before setting up your aquarium. Generally, it would help if you cleaned your freshwater aquarium at least once a month. This will help keep the water quality high and prevent algae growth. If you have a larger tank or more fish, you may need to clean it more often. And if you notice your fish are acting sick or the water is cloudy, it’s time for a cleaning!

Saltwater Tanks

The cost of running a saltwater aquarium can vary depending on your size and setup. Generally, saltwater aquariums require more expensive equipment and maintenance than freshwater aquariums.

To get started, you’ll need to purchase a saltwater aquarium kit, which can cost anywhere from $200 to $1,000. Aquarium kits usually include everything you need to get started, including the tank, filter, lighting, and sometimes the fish.

Once your aquarium is set up, you’ll need to add salt to the water. This can be done by buying a unique salt mix at a pet store or online. A 25-pound bag of salt mix will typically cost around $20. You’ll also need to purchase a powerhead or aquarium pump to circulate the water. Powerheads start at approximately $30.

To keep your fish healthy, you’ll need to perform regular water changes and add fresh water to the tank. You’ll also need to feed your fish regularly. Good quality fish food will cost around $20 for a large container. Saltwater fish can cost around the same as freshwater fish, but with saltwater tanks, many want exotic fish. Know that exotic fish can require more specific care and be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Finally, you’ll need to purchase basic aquarium accessories, such as a gravel vacuum, net, and thermometer. Items can be found at most pet stores or online for around $30.

Setting up and maintaining a saltwater aquarium can range from $300 to $1,000 per year. This cost can be reduced by doing some maintenance yourself and purchasing used equipment. However, even with these savings, saltwater aquariums are still more expensive to set up and maintain than freshwater aquariums.

If you’re considering setting up a saltwater aquarium, research the cost of everything you’ll need before making your final decision. With some planning, you can have a beautiful and healthy saltwater aquarium that will provide years of enjoyment.

With these factors in mind, you’re ready to design your perfect aquarium!

Building an aquarium is something anyone can do. A quality aquarium, however, considers the specific needs of the fish and other aquatic creatures inhabiting it. Quality aquariums factor in the size and shape of the tank, the type of filtration system, the lighting, and even the placement of decorations, creating a comfortable and healthy environment for your fish.

When choosing an aquarium, the first thing to do is be sure to pick the appropriate size for the number and type of fish you plan to keep. A small tank might be cute, but your fish will be cramped and unhappy if it’s too small. Likewise, a large tank might be impressive, but your fish will suffer if it needs to be appropriately filtered and lit.

Your filtration system is one of the most critical aspects of aquarium health. It will keep the water clear and clean, and it will also help to oxygenate the water. Be sure to choose a filter that is sized appropriately for your tank and easy to maintain.

Lighting is another important element of your aquarium design. The light you use will determine how well your fish can see and affect their mood and behavior. Be sure to choose a bright light for your fish to see but not so bright that it bothers them.

Finally, when considering your aquarium design, be sure to think about the placement of decorations. While putting all of your rocks and plants in one corner might be tempting, this can stress out your fish. Instead, create a natural-looking environment by placing decorations in different areas of the tank. This will give your fish plenty of places to hide and explore and help keep them healthy and happy.

Dont’s When Building a Tank.

When setting up an aquarium, you’ll want to avoid a few things if you want your fish to stay healthy and happy. Here are four of the most common mistakes people make when designing their aquariums:

1. Not Planning Ahead

Common mistakes people make when setting up an aquarium is not planning. Before you go out and buy all the fish, equipment, and decorations for your new tank, take some time to plan what you want your aquarium to look like and what type of fish you want to keep. This will help you avoid impulsive purchases that could cost you more money in the long run.

2. Not Cycling Your Tank

Another mistake that novice aquarium owners make is not cycling their tank before adding fish. Cycling your tank means allowing the beneficial bacteria in your filter to build up so they can break down the waste produced by your fish. This process can take several weeks, so it’s important to be patient and wait to add fish until your tank is fully cycled.

3. Overfeeding Your Fish

Overfeeding your fish is the quickest ways to create a dirty, unhealthy aquarium. Fish only need a small amount of food each day, so be sure to give them only what they can eat in a few minutes. It’s also important to remove any uneaten food from the tank, so it doesn’t decompose and pollute the water.

4. Not Cleaning Your Tank Regularly

Another mistake leading to a dirty, unhealthy aquarium is not cleaning your tank regularly. It would be best to do a partial water change (about 20%) once a week and a complete gravel vacuum at least once a month. According to the manufacturer’s directions, it would be best if you also cleaned any equipment, such as filters and pumps. Following these simple tips can avoid common mistakes leading to an unhealthy aquarium.

If you already have an aquarium that is not functioning correctly, we can help you troubleshoot the problem and get your tank back up and running. We offer advice on choosing the right fish for your tank or keeping your tank clean.

OCD Reefs provides a clean and professional environment where saltwater enthusiasts can feed their obsession. We offer high-quality saltwater aquarium installation and maintenance at a competitive price. Our store in Salt Lake City provides saltwater fish, coral, and aquarium supplies. With over 25 years of combined industry experience, we have built our business on honesty, reliability, and passion. We’re not here to make the sale. We are here to create a long-term relationship and earn your business. We believe in the value of customer relationships and will not stop working until the job is done. We are here to help you fuel your passion; stop by our store in Salt Lake City or give us a call to learn more.

Istanbul Sea Life Aquarium

Three miles from the Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul, Turkey, lies Europe’s Second Largest Aquarium. Opened in 2009 and cost over 17 million euros, Sea Life’s tank holds 1.32 million gallons of water and houses over 25,000 sea creatures, including tiger sharks, sting rays, and piranhas. Their tank, however, holds the record for the longest tunnel running under the aquarium, the length being 83 meters (272 Feet) long.

L’Oceanografic

The City of Arts and Sciences, located in Valencia, Spain, is the Largest Aquarium in Europe. Opened in 2003, L’Oceanografic’s tank holds 1.85 million gallons of water. Populating nine underwater towers, structured in two levels, their tank holds over 45,000 marine creatures. L’Oceanografic is mostly known for its spectacular and massive dolphin display.

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

Okinawa Churaumi was opened in 2002 inside the Ocean Expo Park in Japan. Their main tank (“Kuroshiro”) holds 1.98 million gallons of water and contains several thousand sea creatures. Okinawa Churaumi also has over 77 other display tanks. They are mostly known for their abundance of whale sharks which they purposely house for breeding.

Dubai Mall Aquarium

The Dubai Mall is already one of the world’s largest shopping centers but also houses the second-largest aquarium tank. The centerpiece of this beautiful mall holds 2.64 million gallons of water and over 30,000 marine creatures. The tank glass is made of 30-inch thick acrylic and has over 400 sharks and manta rays.

Georgia Aquarium

Funded by a generous donation of $250 million from Home Depot’s co-founder Bernie Marcus, this aquarium opened in 2005 in Atlanta, Georgia. This massive tank holds 6.3 million gallons of water, and over 100,000 marine creatures inhabit it. Georgia’s aquarium tank is by far the largest in the world and is the only tank outside Asia to house whale sharks.

Are you interested in owning your own beautiful masterpiece and recreating the ocean floor in your household? You might not be able to breed manta rays or whale sharks, but with the right saltwater fish tank installation company, you could make your dreams of having your piece of the ocean depths in your grasp.

Walking into any fish store is a magical journey in itself. The air smells of salt, fish, and coral. You can hear the relaxing sounds of the water lapping up against the glass and bubbling inside the magnificent glowing aquariums. Fluorescent fish swimming through the enchanting waters underneath the ultraviolet lights. This is what we love about the experience of walking into a fish store. An important factor when finding a local shop is understanding their expertise and customer service. Large chain stores paint a fantastic picture of having an abundance of fish, but sadly, they have very little equipment for serious hobbyists. Local fish stores provide the hobbyist with quality products and marine creatures without having to go online and risk the equipment not working. Choosing the correct local fish store can be tricky because every fish store has its equipment selections, knowledge, and services they can provide to the hobbyist. When picking the one that fits you, there are a few things to remember to have your perfect supplier.

Knowledge Shopping

Going to a local fish store without knowledge of what you may need or want is not ideal for anyone, even for the seasoned hobbyist. Having a great sense of community is important, also knowing that they are a reliable resource of knowledge. You know you’ve struck gold when you can talk to your fish store salesperson and get all your questions answered and more without having to pay a dime.

Shopping for the Ideal Equipment

If you’re serious about the hobby, then you have quickly realized that big retail pet stores only carry some of the equipment and supplies you may need. You will only find some of the latest pumps, protein skimmers, and light modules. The best places to be able to find the gear that you need is in the local marine shops that are located near you. A good local fish store will test out this new and latest gear to the point where they can demonstrate it and explain its pros and cons. You should feel like they know the gear before you buy it. Just because it’s from a top-of-the-line marine equipment company doesn’t mean it’s the best. The last thing you want is to be in a scenario where the fish store stocks only one brand and swears by it but hasn’t heard or tested anything outside of that. Take a look at their tanks, is the glass clean? Are the gravel and base clean and free of debris in the corners? Does the water look as if it has the proper movement?

Fish and Coral Supplies

Big retail pet stores only carry a small variety of exotic fish. Here’s the kicker, they carry only what they know will sell. If you want to get a hold of high-quality livestock, then you’re better off going online. This means the fish and coral are susceptible to dying in shipping. You will find that buying fish locally is the best process and also the fastest. You can buy your fish or coral and get it acclimated by the day’s end. But, it is important to observe what their variety is. Do they have exotic fish and coral? And if they do, is it often that they have them? You can tell when a store puts in the passion for providing people with the most beautiful fish and coral.

In the end, it’s what mostly works for you. Not every fish store will work for your needs. If you’re new to the hobby, you will need a very knowledgeable store that will inform you of all the ins and outs of it. If you’re a serious hobbyist, you need a store with the latest equipment and the hard-to-find fish and coral. I found my place at OCD Reefs in Salt Lake City, Utah. Their staff is the best of the best, and I find myself a part of a fantastic community and friends with some of the most amazing marine aquarists.