Even beginners like you can maintain a successful home aquarium. If you want colorful fish swimming in water as clear as crystal, you should learn some basic principles involved in keeping an aquarium. Learning and following these rules will help you avoid common mistakes that new fishkeepers make when they start an aquarium:

The tank material and shape matters.

There are various kinds of aquarium. There are acrylic and glass aquariums, and they may come in rounded, cylindrical, hexagonal, and box shapes. Aquariums may also be classified according to their contents and the salinity of the water. Glass aquariums are best for beginners, as they are scratch-proof and less expensive. Also among the highly recommended are rectangular aquariums since having a wide water surface is crucial for the health of your fish and plants. Tanks with rounded or creative shapes may look pretty, but since they have narrower mouths, they're not as effective in taking oxygen in and releasing carbon dioxide as rectangular ones.

Avoid materials that are toxic to fish.

Another important thing about fishkeeping is to know what materials are harmful to fish, so you'll know what to keep out of your fish tank. Note that the tiniest bit of metal is toxic to fish. Substances such as detergent, paint, plastic, and soap should also be kept out. What's great about glass aquariums is that they are either made entirely of glass or glass panes sealed together by silicone.

Be cautious with aquarium decors.

You should know that a substance need not be artificial to pose a threat to your aquarium environment. If you think that using coral, coral sand, seashells, marble chips, and other limestone products are all right for decorating an aquarium, think again. Bits of these dissolve in water, and the residues make the water hard. Although hard water isn't bad per se, anything in excess always is, especially if you don't know what type of fish can survive in hard water. To be safe, the minerals that you can use to decorate your aquarium include quartz, sandstone, and granite. Instead of picking just about any object that would look good in glass aquariums, shop for aquarium decor only at reputable pet and aquarium supplies shops.

Get the location right the first time.

Choosing the right spot for your aquarium is crucial in fishkeeping. Whether they're acrylic or glass aquariums, don't place them in windy areas. Otherwise, you will speed up evaporation and increase the chances of getting foreign particles into your tank. Sudden temperature changes are also harmful to fish, so it's vital to keep your aquarium away from heat-producing equipment.

Where is the best place to put your aquarium?

There are two reasons why you shouldn't constantly expose your aquarium to direct sunlight: overheating and increasing algae growth. Having excessive algae in an aquarium is bad in that these tiny plants make the water greenish. Algae steal nutrients from fish and aquarium plants as well. Fish tanks should be exposed to sunlight only for a short while. Use artificial lighting with a timer instead.

Other aquarium care tips

Contrary to popular belief, aquarium covers do not limit the oxygen supply of fish. If you buy a glass cover designed specifically for aquariums, you can be assured that it's fitted tight enough to keep harmful elements out but loose enough to let a sufficient amount of air in. Also refrain from moving an aquarium after it has been filled. No matter how strong an aquarium is, there's the risk of breaking the glass.

The key to a beautiful and healthy aquarium lies on your choice. Choosing the right tank and its location is equally important as choosing which elements to keep out of your tank. If you keep these simple rules in mind and put them into action, you'll be rewarded by seeing how beautiful, healthy, and happy your fish are.

Dave Bowman is an aquarium enthusiast who enjoys helping others be successful in raising their fish in glass aquariums. He is a guest speaker at many meetings on aquarium systems