Where Should I Place My Fish Tank?

After you have purchased your fish tank, choosing a location is an exciting and important decision for both you and your fish. With larger fish tanks, the location you choose will be permanent, so selecting the right spot from the start is key. Finding balance between a practical and attractive setting for an aquarium requires a bit of thought, so here are some pointers that will guide you to choose the perfect position.

Be wary of how close your fish tank will be to a window. Just like any other plant, algae needs sunlight in order to grow. In turn, the more sunlight reaching the tank, the quicker algae will grow. By placing your fish tank by a window or skylight, it is likely that you will find yourself battling with the thick green growth that will manifest itself on your aquarium walls and ornaments.  
To sum up everything above, a quiet place away from direct sunlight and traffic, where your fish tank can easily be reached for maintenance and care, is the ideal placement in a house for an aquarium.

Sunlight

Be wary of how close your fish tank will be to a window. Just like any other plant, algae needs sunlight in order to grow. In turn, the more sunlight reaching the tank, the quicker algae will grow. By placing your fish tank by a window or skylight, it is likely that you will find yourself battling with the thick green growth that will manifest itself on your aquarium walls and ornaments. 

Direct sunlight will also warm the water in your fish tank. Fish need to be kept in stable water conditions or they will become stressed and grow ill. Stability in water temperature is also the reason why fish tanks should not be placed too close to radiators or fire place.

Accesibility

Make sure your aquarium is easily accessible. We’ve all seen pictures of fish tanks neatly tucked away in a shelf nook, and it looks great! It may look neat, tidy and pretty, but you will realise your mistake when you go to carry out a water change. You will not be able to manoeuvre around the sides, or reach the back of the tank – where some important equipment is kept. Everyday tasks such as feeding your fish and turning on/off your aquarium lights will be as simple as they should be if you can reach all the areas of your aquarium. 

Noise                 

An environment with a lot of noise or high traffic is not good for placing a fish tank. Shy away from televisions, speakers, entry ways and doors. Vibrations created by these noises, especially opening and closing doors, will shock fish and can lead to an early death.

Visilibity

After all the work you have put into keeping your fish tank in the best condition, you will want to show it off. Aquariums are a huge focus of attention and a real crowd-pleaser. Choose a room where your tank will be visible and stand out (another reason to keep it away from a TV!). Visibility is also important so that you will be able to notice any cracks or leaks in your tank and so that you can easily observe your fish’s behaviour and quickly spot if they fall ill. Make sure you can sit back, relax, watch your fish and take advantage of the many benefits that comes with owning a fish tank.   

Electrical Sockets       

Do make sure there are electrical sockets near your set-up. You will need to ensure you can plug in your filter, air pump, heater, light unit, etc. At the same time, be cautious that the tank water will not splash directly onto the socket! It is recommended that the socket is not directly behind the tank, but slightly off to the side.