So you have decided to be an owner of an aquarium? Congratulations on your choice, being an aquarist can be a highly rewarding hobby.
As with any hobby, aquariums require a lot of preparation and ongoing maintenance – make sure you are ready for the commitment.
The first question you’ll ask when setting it up is “where can I buy an aquarium?” Indeed, it all starts with the fish tank – it will be the home for your fish and plants and will house the various pieces of equipment needed.
In this post, we’ll look at which is the best place to buy an aquarium and also give you some after-purchase tips.
Let’s get started.
How to Buy Aquarium Fish Tank
When someone says they want to buy an aquarium, they could mean just the fish tank, or they could mean the entire aquarium with all the necessary equipment.
Even when buying a fish tank, it usually comes with some additional related components such as stand, hood, and lights.
Buying an entire aquarium is not recommended, unless you are a complete novice and want to skip the trouble of picking and choosing each individual component.
Your aquarium should be highly customized to your specific needs, so a one-size-fits-all solution is not a good idea.
When buying a fish tank, prioritize quality above all else – the tank should be a robust and safe refuge for your fish and should never develop things like cracks or leaks.
Where to Buy Fish Tanks That Are Brand New
It’s the usual places where you buy any aquarium equipment – head over to the nearest aquarium store, whether it is a small shop or a large chain.
If you are in the US and Canada, you can check out Walmart, Petco, Petsmart, Marine Depot, and Bulk Reef Supply. These places may also sell online, but it may not be feasible when it comes to tanks.
People in the UK can go to Maidenhead Aquatics and Charterhouse Aquatics, both of which have a good reputation.
Good aquarium stores in Australia include Fishtank, Fish World Aquarium, and Seaview Aquarium Centre.
The Sensen Group is one of the biggest manufacturers of aquarium equipment in China.
Instead of going to a retailer, you can place your order directly from some manufacturers; this way, you can get a custom fish tank that meets your specific requirements.
Best Place to Buy Fish Tanks Online
Buying online has its perks; for instance, you have a large range of selections at your disposal. Also, you don’t have to worry about distance to the store.
That being said, ordering something as big as a fish tank online is not exactly an easy feat – it’s a logistical nightmare!
First off, if it is too big, it is not shippable – period. Most postal services ban items that are too large.
Secondly, even if it can be shipped, the shipping costs are going to reflect the size of the package – it’ll be too high. Not to mention the potential for damage to such a large fragile item.
One way to make it work is to order it as individual glass panes and assemble it yourself, although this requires a bit of expertise.
Amazon is a good place to order aquariums online. If you live in China, you can make use of Alibaba.
Where Can I Buy A Fish Tank Second Hand
Wondering where to buy cheap aquariums? Why not get a used tank – with some luck, it’ll be as good as a new one.
There’ll be plenty of people who’ve just given up on the hobby after starting it with great enthusiasm (which is unfortunate). You can turn their misfortune into your fortune if you get their tanks at a cheap price.
Facebook marketplace is a good place to start looking for used aquariums. You can also try Craigslist and, if you live in the UK, Gumtree.
You can also check out any local garage sales to see if someone is giving away their tank.
Wherever you get it, make sure you inspect the tank closely for any cracks – scratches may be tolerated but not cracks.
The seams are the weakest points; see if there are any chips at the edges. If you see bubbles inside the silicone seal at the seams, it is not a good sign.
What to Do After You Buy Your Aquarium
So you have managed to get your hands on a decent aquarium; what should you do next?
First off, compile a checklist of all equipment needed for the proper functioning of your aquarium. This includes the filter, heater, lights (if you have live plants), etc. Also, don’t forget the décor including the substrate, rocks, driftwood, etc.
Once you have everything set up, we advise you to do a leak test next; leaks are not something you’d want, for obvious reasons. You need to make sure your tank can safely hold the water and the inhabitants in it.
Next, you need to start the process of nitrogen cycling – Do NOT introduce fish before you completely cycle your tank.
You can learn about nitrogen cycling in detail if you want – basically it’s about creating colonies of beneficial bacteria to convert ammonia into less harmful substances.
Lastly, before you buy any fish for your aquarium, do research about that breed so that you know about its requirements – many new aquarists make the mistake of getting breeds that they cannot handle, just because the fish ‘looked good’.
One thing you should keep in mind is fish compatibility, which deals with whether certain breeds can tolerate other breeds.
Conclusion
I hope by now you have an answer to the question “where can I buy a fish tank?”
The answer depends on whether you want a brand new tank or you could be content with a used one.
Also, buying it at the store is better than ordering online because it’s cumbersome to mail something as large as a fish tank.
There are a lot of options, but eventually, you’ll figure out the best place to buy an aquarium that suits your specific needs.
Good luck on your quest to become a proud owner of an aquarium.
Thanks for reading.
