Different types of aquarium or fish tanks

Aquariums come in many shapes and sizes and can be ordered or bought to suit just about any type of fish or small sea life.

Different aquariums will need different maintenance and time commitments. It’s important to remember all aquariums or fish tanks contain live beings, which comes with responsibility. Ensure you have all the knowledge and advice needed to keep your tank and fish healthy.

In this article, we explore the different types of aquarium and fish tanks depending on what type of fish you want to keep.

Fish bowl aquarium

The most simple type of aquarium is the good old fashioned fish bowl. A bowl, some water, and some fish. If you’re a novice fish owner then this may be the perfect starting point for you. Fish bowls are relatively cheap and can come in many sizes, but most are on the small side. A fish bowl doesn’t have any electrical equipment, no lighting and no filters. It’s simply a bowl with fish.

You can get all types of aquarium rocks, stones and ornaments for your fish bowl to style it and make it more visually appealing for you and your fish. Fish bowls require regular cleaning and you should be careful about placement and size. You can speak to someone at your local pet store for advice regarding what will suit your home aquarium set up.

Types of aquarium

Here’s a list of common types of aquariums you can choose from:

Community aquariums

Community aquariums contain fish from different regions and include plants that have good stamina.

Goldfish aquariums

These are an attractive aquarium and contain goldfish with some green foliage to contrast the colour of the fish. They are a great beginner’s aquarium.

Planted aquarium

This type of aquarium boasts more aquatic plants than fish but they still require regular care and maintenance. While planted aquariums focus more on the plant life, with careful planning they can keep your fish healthier as they produce oxygen while absorbing the ammonia and carbon dioxide your aquarium fishes create.

Freshwater fish aquarium

Freshwater aquarium fish come from rivers and creeks and freshwater aquariums can come in both cold and warm water varieties. For a tropical fish aquarium, the temperature needs to be set between 24.5 and 26.7 degrees celsius in a freshwater aquarium.

Saltwater fish aquarium

A saltwater aquarium is used for marine fish. The water will need to be highly filtered to maintain fish life. If you want a tropical fish aquarium, you will need to maintain a temperature between 26.7 and 27.8 degrees celsius for saltwater aquariums.

Types of aquarium fish tank

• Stand alone: Some aquarium tanks come as stand alone pieces that are designed to be placed on top of a piece of furniture.
• Cabinet aquarium: These are aquariums that are built into a cabinet as part of the piece of furniture. They should not be removed from the cabinet.
• Aquarium stand: Some tanks are purchased with a custom made stand.
• Wall aquarium: Some newer buildings have aquariums built as part of the wall. These aquariums tend to be large scale and in commercial buildings.
• Floor aquarium: Some higher end buildings have begun to install aquariums as part of the floor. This of course includes special heavy strength flooring.

Aquariums usually need a variety of accessories such as filters, a special aquarium light and heaters. They will also need systems to measure water quality and pH levels. The size of your tank and the fish species you choose will determine which accessories you require for your aquarium fish tank.

Aquarium and fish care

Regardless of the size or type of fish bowl or aquarium you invest in, ensure you follow pet care guidelines for the safety and health of your fish. Speak to your fish store or aquarium dealer for more information.