There are many different types of aquariums to choose from for your fish. Depending on what style you like the most, or what you can afford, aquariums come in a variety of materials, shapes and sizes. There are acquariums that are upright, cylinder shaped, long and rectangular, small and square, hexagon shaped, tall and short. Whatever fits your need or fancy you can probably find it on the shelves of a pet store somewhere.
Wooden acquariums are among the most popular pf acquarium frameworks for aesthetic reasons. The wooden frame is usually constructed from treated plywood to prevent warping. Another nice feature of wood is it's versatility: it can be polished, covered with material, stained or painted to match the rest of the room.
Metal framed acquariums were what almost everyone started out with at one time when they wanted to have fish on display in their homes. These consist of panels of glass, fashioned to fit a metal frame generally made of stainless steel welded at the corners. Leakage is prevented by putty aquarium cement, acrylic or silicon sealant.
Plastic and acrylic are now often used instead of glass in acquariums. Plastic walls in an acquarium can be almost as clear as glass and yet sturdy enough to last far longer than the breakable glass walls. The only downside is that an acrylic aquarium will scratch much easier and it can be very difficult to buff out. Vitorlite is a glass-like material sometimes used in making acquarium walls. It is a fun material for some due to the fact that it is available in many different colors. Vitorlite will also hide the wall and any unsightly wires or other apparatus behind the aquarium since you cannot see through it.
Fish Bowls or globes are mini acquariums that cannot really be used on a long-term basis. These types of aquariums are great as temporary homes for the fish and useful for emergencies. Their simple glass construction consists of a one piece cast and they are very breakable. Breakage would not only result in a messy bowl loss but very likely in a loss of your favorite fish.
As for the size of your fish tank, the bigger the tank the better it is because a larger aquarium will tend to have much more stable water temperatures and give your fish collection room to grow. However, depending on your need you can purchase anything from the small fish bowls mentioned above, on up to large 55 gallon and larger acquariums. Whatever type of acquarium you choose, be sure it is adequate for the fish you want to own, and in a design and shape you will enjoy looking at for a long time.
