Research and preparation are the key factors to the successful aquarium. You should learn about the requirement of certain fish you would like to own, but you need to think about the placement of the aquarium, too. Before installing a new aquarium, try to avoid costly and laborious mistakes by considering aquarium size and placement.
If you place an aquarium in basement or a back room, it might not receive required care and attention. In many cases, a poorly located a aquarium becomes neglected and there is an increasing risk of not noticing equipment malfunction or fish disease. Setting up an aquarium where you spend most of your time will enable you to fully enjoy the view and to easily access for convenient and regular maintenance. Keep in mind that fully set up aquarium weighs approximately 10 pounds/gallon. For this reason it’s better to choose the location wisely than to relocate aquarium, since it can be quite difficult and stressful.
Aquariums need “space bubble” for a routine maintenance and cleaning. Do not block areas that should be easy accessible, such as the top of aquarium for lightning and water changes or its back for filtration. If you want to place your aquarium in a stand or cabinet, check whether it will have an adequate ventilation. Ventilation is important for keeping heat buildup to a minimum and controlling mold and other organisms to thrive in humid areas.
Are there a water source and electric outlets nearby? Water source should be as close to aquarium as possible, since it makes water changes and maintaining more convenient and easier for you. When it comes to electrical outlets, they should be close enough so that you don’t have to use extension cords for plugging in required aquarium equipment. The electric outlets should not be further than 3 ft away from aquarium. It’s not only that you can trip into extra cords, but the tangling of equipment cords can result in serious electrical problems.