No matter what kind of tank you choose, keep it in top form by regularly changing the filter - once a week for some, every six months for the Eheim brand - and partially cleaning the water. Also, wipe down the outer surfaces of your tank with a wash cloth.
You'll also need to feed your fish once a day with either dried flakes or frozen fish food. For the forgetful, some aquarium shops sell autofeeders that administer dried food on a set schedule.
Cabinetry
"Aquariums weigh 10 lbs per gallon, which means that most home furniture is not built to take that kind of load," Reid says.
Cabinets for 90-gallon tanks range from about $300 for simple designs to $3,000 for more sophisticated pieces of furniture. Ensure your cabinet has sufficient storage space to store your filtration and lighting media, food, cleaning supplies, etc.
Final thoughts
Choose independent local retailers for your supplies, as they are usually more knowledgeable than chain stores and generally provide better service, Reid says.
"Setting up a proper aquarium can be a considerable expense, and you'll need ongoing support and supplies from your retailer, so you should deal with someone your comfortable with."
* * *
Sharon Aschaiek is a freelance writer and writes about home decor, gardening and lifestyle trends. She can be reached at sharon@summitmediagroup.com
