Guide to Choosing an Aquarium for Beginners: These Three Types of Aquariums Are Strongly Discouraged

The first step for a beginner in fish keeping is selecting an aquarium, but there are three types of aquariums that are absolutely not recommended for purchase.

The 3 Types of Aquariums Not Recommended for Purchase

Heat-Bent Aquarium

What is a heat-bent aquarium? A heat-bent aquarium refers to a glass tank with two curved corners. This type of tank is very prone to shattering. Some experienced aquarists might argue, saying, “My heat-bent aquarium has been in use for seven or eight years without any issues.” However, it’s not that heat-bent aquariums will definitely burst, but compared to right-angle aquariums, the probability of a heat-bent aquarium shattering is higher, and this point is indisputable. The only advantage of a heat-bent aquarium is its low cost.

Consider this: you buy a tank intended for fish keeping, but you end up worrying every day: what if the tank bursts? What if the filter falls off? What if the light falls into the water? If the tank bursts, will water spill everywhere? With such constant anxiety, can you truly enjoy fish keeping? If you still decide to buy a heat-bent aquarium, I suggest you watch more videos of heat-bent aquariums shattering. If, after watching, you still wish to buy one, I recommend choosing a smaller size, as those under forty centimeters generally pose fewer issues.

Beginner’s Delight Aquarium

What is a beginner’s delight aquarium? It is a tank with a lid, equipped with lighting and a small filter, belonging to an all-in-one design. Why is it called a beginner’s delight aquarium? Because once you have this equipment, you will find fish keeping to be very convenient, without having to consider other issues—it’s a boon for the lazy. However, once you start using this beginner’s delight aquarium, the happy times may not last more than a week.

After a week, you will find that this tank has many problems: poor filtration, leading to fish deaths easily; insufficient lighting, making it impossible to grow aquatic plants. Moreover, over time, this tank becomes increasingly unattractive, leaving you feeling restless if you keep it, and regretful if you discard it. If you still choose not to heed advice, I suggest you consult with experienced aquarists; they would not opt to purchase such beginner’s delight aquariums for their hobby.

Circular Aquarium

This type of tank also has its fair share of drawbacks. I have also purchased one, which has been gathering dust for a long time. Firstly, the first disadvantage is that you can only view the fish from the top; the sides are not visible. The second disadvantage is that installing filters on curved glass is very inconvenient. The third disadvantage is that the aquarium as a whole acts like a magnifying glass, and the varying curvatures at different angles can disorient the fish, leading to health issues.

Recommended Types of Aquariums to Purchase

Therefore, I recommend that you choose a standard rectangular or square tank, as this is the best option. After determining the shape of the tank, the next consideration is the material of the tank. Generally, people would opt for an ultra-clear aquarium.

Advantages of Ultra-Clear Aquariums

So, what is the difference between an ultra-clear aquarium and a regular one? Simply put, ultra-clear aquariums have better light transmission, which means you can more clearly observe the condition of the fish.

The Importance of Silicone Sealant

Another important aspect is a key component of the aquarium—silicone sealant. If the quality of the silicone sealant is poor, it may lead to the aquarium cracking or leaking. Additionally, if the technique is not skilled enough when applying the silicone sealant, excess sealant may appear on the surface of the aquarium, affecting the viewing experience.

Conclusion

Well, we have covered the upper half of the aquarium discussion. Next, we will discuss the lower half, sharing how to choose the size of the aquarium. Please stay tuned for the next section’s content.