If you know what fish you like and will want in your fish tank, then you need to buy a tank to suit. You either buy a tank first and afterwards look into what fish it can handle or decide on the fish you want to keep and then pick the right tank size.
Maybe the size of the tank is set by its proposed location. In which case the fish selection must be right for the tank size. Starter aquariums are usually smaller, see our selection of starter kits here.
One of the main reasons anyone wants to have an aquarium is because they really like a particular fish in this case you definitely pick the tank size to suit the breed of fish.
If you aren’t too bothered about the type of fish, then buy the tank that fits the space best.
Well this depends on the fish to be kept. A lot of fish live longer and happier lives in larger tanks with more space. Some fish get stressed when they feel enclosed and this can cause them to develop a weaker immune system. Particular types of fish even start to show behavioral issues if the tank size is too small for them. Our larger aquarium selection is found under the 'Aquariums' heading.
A key consideration for any beginner is getting the water right. Too often this is overlooked, and the fish don’t survive for long after being dumped in the water and left to get on with it.
Getting the water balance right for your fish requires you to know what the fish on your tank need to thrive. This includes the pH level, the water hardness GH, and of course the temperature. There are many great water test kits available to check out the water chemistry.
There is a lot to learn about nitrate and ammonia levels and various other water issues. For these reasons it can be easier to maintain the water temperature and the right chemistry with larger tanks which can more evenly absorb any mistakes made by the owner in the upkeep of the tank water.
The tank size really needs to be above the minimum requirement for your selected fish.
If you know the aquarium dimensions input them into an aquarium calculator – we recommend: https://fishtankfocus.com/aquarium-calculator-for-you-to-check-aquarium-dimensions/
This works out the size of the tank in Gallons and Liters so that you know how much water there will be in it.
Then you can buy filters etc to suit. It also gives you the weight of common tank sizes, empty and full.
A 30 gallon fish tank is an ideal choice for a beginner.