How to Choose an Aquarium | BigAlsPets.com

Choosing the right aquarium can seem daunting when you’re new to the hobby of fish-keeping. What size tank should you get? Should it be big or small? Made of glass or plastic? What aquarium will be right for the fish you’d like? In this video, our Aquatics Enthusiast, Thomas, walks you through everything you need to know when choosing your first aquarium!

***DISCLAIMER: The purpose and content of this video is to provide general information regarding the animals, the products and their applications as presented in the video. Big Al's Aquarium Services, Big Al's Aquarium Supercentres and its officers, directors, employees and agents disclaim all express or implied warranties, in any way, related to the products and their application as presented in this video, make no representation or warranty regarding the products and the application as presented in this video and shall not be liable for any direct or indirect losses or damages of any type, including but not limited to punitive damages, or from personal injury or death resulting from or in any manner related to the video, and the products in and contents of the video. The viewer expressly agrees that Big Al's Aquarium Services and Big Al's Aquarium Supercentres and its officers, directors, employees and agents shall not be liable for any damages or losses related to the products in and content of the video and hereby agrees to hold the foregoing harmless from any such losses or damages.

[mariole]

You literally cant find anyone who explains more clearly and entertaining at the same time like Big Al's. King of DIY too!

[ladyt]

Listen if i could afford a 500 gallon aquarium, i would make space for it .lol

[Sarah-rfrj]

Conclusion: buy the biggest tank you can get and throw your sofa out

[Asgoodasitgets]

Love this guy! The nerdy fish obsessed John wick

[LordEndore]

Don't cheap out on the important stuff!

Things like heaters and filters are vital to the survival of your fish, spend that extra few bucks to buy something that will last.
I've spent more money replacing cheap equipment then if i just buy the quality item ahead of time.

[aengusfoley]

Really do enjoy the way you present your videos. very entertaining but also informative.
All the best. Aengus

[KarlJones]

As ever, love your style of presentation. Great advice, couldn't agree more.

[chelseascreatures]

Past me:" a 10 gal will be fine."
Present me: "time for a 37 gal"

[schomestead]

My biggest mistake was definitely getting a 10 gallon instead of a 20.

I got my tank because I was given a clam shell someone picked up from the lake. Well it turned out the clam was alive and I rushed to get a tank set up for it without really knowing what I was doing. Had I known I would have gotten at least a 20 so I could have more fish in there

[amloon]

I dont even have fish...or coral...or anything sea related 😂 your videos are just so animated and interesting TJ. I'm happy that you're still making vids for big Al's. 👍👍

[jacquelinekariuki]

Thomas you just crack me up and I love the bloopers at the end. I went from a 36' bow front ( this has always been my dream tank) to a 60 gallon aquarium. I have 4 Orandas, 1 Pearlscale and 1Ranchu. 😍 I spent an hour or so trying to plant some tall plants in the back. I'm 5'4, I was sweating and flustered. As soon as I would get one plant planted it would flop over again. I woke up the next morning to naughty fish that dug up the whole plant theme.😂😂😂😂😂 I just placed them in 2 vases and called it a day. It use to take me forever to clean it because I don't like standing on stools.
My whole dining room is dedicated to fish, I would love to share with you and Brian sometime.🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟 I enjoy you guys very much. Have a fun time being with your families!💃💃

[Melinko]

Excellent video! My biggest mistake when getting into the hobby was not looking at the wide variety of available fish. I got my first tank and loaded up with a tropical community, then I discovered Green Spotted Puffers. Obviously, those cannot go into a community tank, so I had to setup yet another tank.

I'd say, really research the fish before you commit, because there are some really cool fish in the hobby!!

[MizzouGump]

"Don't put aquariums where children play"

says the guy who put a 265 gallon tank in his daughter's play room.

[samn]

When i bought my 1st 5 gallon starter kit it had a florescent light in the hood that easily heats up the tank, so I have to be extra carefully in the summer. Go LED if you can they have a better light and don't create heat.

[maggiemcnamara]

I bought a 21L for a betta fish and it worked out really well (have had him for about a month) and I’ve loved it so far. Recently bought a 3ft (it’s around 300L not 100% for as the previous owner didn’t know. I just based it off the bucket I was using to fill the tank) second hand tank, painted it, got it all set up and am getting fish for the tank within the next week. Can’t wait to get my community tank going!

[UncleTerry]

One more thing to consider is the weight of the tank when full of water. Make sure where you place the tank that the floor joist can support it.

[sakinheart]

Just had our first fish tank yesterday as a gift for my sister's birthday.
Every one in the house was excited and happy about it
They all keep gathering in my sister's room just to see the tank.
It's about 20 gal glass with electric monitoring for tempretue.
And we had 5 different species in it that i don't know there name yet.

Unfortunately.. there isn't much to afford in my country which is Saudi Arabia in term of fish keeping. No starter kit, most of the equipment you have to buy separately, no wide variety of fish and a lot of tools are missing and probably we have to shop on line and ship them.

I would say it is enjoyable for now.
And we will keep tanking 😁

[imgonnabefree]

Here in Malaysia, we don't buy acrylic or glass tanks that often, people usually just buy a tiny plastic tank and put their critters in it, although I would suggest to DIY connective " bridges " between these smaller aquariums so that the fish not only get more swimming space but also more enrichment as the creators can customize it to have feeding stations, darker areas, mazes and more .

[davidrocha]

another great tip is to be patient ! for the cycle to be finished and also in buying equipment !I wish i have waited in building my fist planted tank . I didn't truly understand how plants worked and substrate.

[andrewkeeton]

My biggest mistake as beginning fish hobbyist was getting a 15 gallon, then a 55 gal, instead of just a 135 gallon. Which is what I have now, 6 months after the 15 gal lol.
GO BIG!