Perhaps you've enjoyed your tropical fish for many years, or maybe you are just getting started with this wonderful hobby. Whatever the case, you may have questions and concerns about how to size your aquarium to best fit your needs. Finding the right size aquarium that will provide the right habitat for your fish is a process that doesn't take much time and will ensure that you have an environment you and your fish can enjoy for years to come.

* The first thing you should ask yourself is just how much room do you have for an aquarium? Perhaps you just have a small desk in the den to set a small aquarium on, or maybe you have a huge inset wall that you could place a 200+ gallon tank in. While you are taking inventory of where you might be able to place your tank, also look at the environment near where you have in mind. Avoid placing an aquarium directly below or above an air conditioning or heater vent. Also, do not place the aquarium near a window that gets strong sunlight all throughout the day. Finally, keep in mind that you will need a power source and a storage area for the food and other materials.

* Next, decide what type of tropical fish you would like to have in your tank. Each different species of fish has specific requirements for the amount of water and space they need in a tank. Do not make the mistake of adding fish to your tank without taking into account how much room they need. Most stores tend to over-populate their aquariums with way too many fish because of the turnover they have in selling them. This can lead you to believe that you can actually place more fish in your tank than it can safely handle. If you have any questions about how much room your particular tropical fish will need ask the salesman or consult a handbook.

* Now remember, most aquariums have more than just fish in them. They also may include tropical plants, other freshwater creatures (such as slugs or snails), decorative items and wood or rock pieces. Each of these items takes up valuable real estate in your aquarium. Yet they are all vital components of a successful aquarium. Tropical plants can do wonders in keeping your tank clean and water well aerated. Likewise, snails and other freshwater creatures can also help keep algae down in the tank which can sometimes be a problem depending on what environment you have.

Now that you have mapped out all the requirements for your aquarium it's time to go shopping. Here your bank account may dictate what type of aquarium you can purchase. Larger tanks require more heavy duty filtration devices and water aerators. This can add up quickly. Many people who are just getting into the hobby may be better suited in checking out local yard sales, online auctions and the classifieds for people who are selling old aquariums for a fraction of the price!