Did you know that having an aquarium at home or in the workplace can improve your health by lowering your blood pressure and reducing your stress levels? And if you're into feng shui, you probably know that having one can bring you luck and wealth. But why have that lone goldfish in a fish bowl when you can have a multitude of colourful fish in an aquarium with a spectacular aquascape?

Plunge into the fish tank experience and bring colour and life to your space with an aquarium. Explore suppliers, brands and accessories found on Yellow.

What are the different types of aquariums available?

When it comes to selecting an aquarium type, you may either opt for a freshwater or a saltwater one. Apart from the obvious difference, with a saltwater aquarium you can recreate an ecosystem similar to that found at sea, however, these tanks tend to be more expensive to maintain while marine fish are more sensitive to water conditions. In contrast, freshwater aquariums do not usually require chemical additives other than the usual water conditioners such as those that remove chlorine, while fish are hardier and less expensive. As a result, freshwater tanks are easier to maintain and upkeep, making them the most popular type of aquarium for beginners.

The next decision you need to take is whether your aquarium will be made out of glass or acrylic. Both have their pros and cons, yet some important things to consider are the fact that glass is more durable and does not scratch easily but it is denser and therefore heavier, whereas acrylic can be easily scratched but can be moulded into any shape requested making it the perfect material for custom-made aquariums.

Lastly, based on the space where the fish tank is set to be placed, you may also need to consider the aquarium design. Available in a variety of sizes and shapes, make sure you have taken appropriate measurements before purchasing your desired aquarium. You also need to consider whether you would like the tank to have a stand or a cabinet with storage space where you may place equipment, cleaning material and fish food. Here the choice is also vast and includes a variety of materials, colours and finishes. Regardless of what you purchase, ensure that the cabinet or stand can withstand the weight and size of your aquarium.

Looking for something more bespoke? More imposing and impressive? Opt for a store that offers custom-made aquariums, enabling you to build the tank of your dreams.

How to set up your fish tank

Setting up an aquarium at home requires several steps, however, it is not a difficult feat to accomplish. All it takes is good planning and some preparation beforehand. For starters, make sure that your tank is not defective by placing some water in it and wait to see whether it leaks. If your aquarium has passed this test, then you may mantle the stand and place the aquarium on it. The tank should not be placed in a location where there is direct sunlight, while you must leave sufficient space between it and the wall most especially if you need room to accommodate the filter. You may then add gravel and water, while you may also install equipment such as the filter and heater, however, don't plug anything as yet.

Next comes decorating! Depending on the size and type of aquarium, you may add things like driftwood, stones and rocks, corals and aquatic plants, as well as various ornaments. Although having an intricate and lush aquascape will beautify your tank, you must allow enough swimming room for your fish. Once you have finished decorating, you may continue adding more water and plug in any equipment. Keep in mind that it is recommended to wait at least 24 hours for the water temperature to stabilise before placing any fish in.

Stock it up

Once your tank is set and every component is in place, it's time to add fish. When at a store, avoid purchasing fish that is visibly struggling like those swimming on their sides or being picked and nibbled at by other fish since this could be a sign of disease.

Some of the best freshwater fish to stock your tank with include goldfish, guppies, angelfish and neon tetras to name a few, whereas marine aquaria may consist of organisms like shrimps, crabs and mollusks and small fish. Some easy to keep tropical fish that you may want to consider are zebra danio, tiger pleco, cory catfish and mollies.

Maintenance and upkeep

A large part of an aquarium's ongoing upkeep and maintenance involves cleaning it regularly. If you're wondering how often this needs to be done, it all depends on the size of your tank and how messy your fish are, but generally speaking, cleaning should be carried out once every week or every two weeks if your aquarium is small. Cleaning should involve removing any debris and food from the gravel and changing around 10-15% of the water, as well as wiping the glass to remove algae and cleaning the filter's sponges. You may also want to test the water quality with a water test kit that can be purchased from any aquarium supply shop. Watch out for the nitrate, ammonia and pH levels.

One more thing you need to make sure of is that your tank maintains its temperature. In winter, the heater which you most likely have bought together with your other equipment should suffice. On the other hand, during our hot summer, regulating the temperature can be done by increasing water movement or by placing a chiller. Similarly to a heater, a chiller can be either placed directly inside the tank or you may opt for one that operates entirely outside the aquarium. Preserving the appropriate temperature is crucial especially if you have a live rock aquarium or a reef tank. Reef invertebrates require stable conditions so make sure you are equipped with a good quality thermometer and accordingly, a chiller.

We've got some great tips if you're thinking about getting a pet but you're not sure which one is best-suited for your lifestyle!