| The practice of keeping aquariums came about in the | | | | Always use a cleaner specifically labeled safe for |
| late 1800's. They were fairly crude. Usually these | | | | acrylic. Use plastic or rubber scrubbers, rather than |
| ancient aquariums only had one side that was made | | | | metal to clean the sides of an acrylic tank. Be careful |
| of glass, with the other three sides being made of | | | | not to accidentally pick up a piece of substrate or |
| metal or wood. Most aquariums consisted of fish that | | | | gravel while cleaning the inside of the tank. However, |
| were native to the region of its owner simply | | | | if you do happen to scratch an acrylic aquarium, all is |
| because of availability. Also most old school fish tanks | | | | not lost. The tank can be repaired, unlike glass. There |
| contained only fresh water fish. The reason being | | | | are acrylic repair kits available at specialty pet stores, |
| that salt water would corrode the metal frame that | | | | your local hardware store and of course online. |
| held the aquarium together. | | | | When purchasing an acrylic aquarium kit, there will be |
| Aquariums drastically changed in the 1960's with the | | | | many different options to choose from, at many |
| invention of silicone adhesive. Metal frames became | | | | different price points. Aquarium kits can be purchased |
| obsolete and more people started to keep salt water | | | | at places such as specialty aquatic pet stores, from |
| fish and invertebrates. More recently glass tanks | | | | huge retail chains, or again online. A fish lover can |
| have become less frequently used due to the | | | | choose from small cylinder shaped tanks that can |
| flexibility of acrylic. Literally flexibility! Acrylic aquariums | | | | double as a coffee table lamp to wall huge wall sized |
| are far more for forgiving than there glass | | | | aquariums. While, there are some basic things that will |
| counterparts. If a heavy object strikes a glass tank, | | | | be included in most kits, such as, a filter, some |
| it will almost certainly break. The flexibility of an | | | | substrate or coral and sometimes lighting, the kits |
| acrylic tank will prevent this catastrophe from | | | | themselves can vary greatly. It really doesn't matter |
| happening. In addition, acrylic offers more flexibility in | | | | where you buy your starter kit, but keep in mind |
| design than glass. Acrylic aquariums have been made | | | | that it is extremely important to buy your fish from |
| into everything from coffee tables to gum ball | | | | a reputable dealer. Don't buy fish that are hovering |
| machines. | | | | near the surface, or that are located in a tank with |
| That being said, there is a short downfall to owning | | | | other dead fish. Fish diseases are extremely |
| an acrylic aquarium. They do scratch more easily than | | | | communicable. Be weary of a fish dealer that refuses |
| glass. When cleaning your aquarium, be careful not to | | | | to catch a specific fish out of the tank for you. After |
| use paper towels, and harsh or abrasive chemicals, as | | | | all this is going to be your fish and you have a right |
| they can scratch the acrylic surface of the aquarium. | | | | to choose. |