When you decide to buy your first aquarium, decide on its size first. A good starter aquarium is for example Marineland Eclipse 5. You can house a single male Betta in it “in style”. Two female Bettas would probably be ok, too, but you shouldn’t add any more fish.

Here are 7 tips on how to keep your new tank in best possible condition and make your life easier so your fish will stay with you for years to come:

1. Get your aquarium at least a week before bringing the Betta fish home. You will need to “condition” the tank which means to establish the right biological balance.

2. Smaller water changes are better for your Betta, unless there is a critical situation with its health. 25% water change is much easier and less stressful for your little finned friend.

3. If you keep half of the filter media during your water changes, the delicate biological balance will be easier to maintain.

4. Do not use soap or detergent in your aquarium or use it for anything that might come in contact with the aquarium or your Betta fish.

5. If you would like to use your own rocks or pebbles (found in a river, for example), boil them for an hour before adding to the tank. If you do not, bacteria found on them would likely cause your fish to die. Washing them vigorously and rinsing will not be enough.

6. Test your aquarium’s water levels every week for the right pH and ammonia levels. This is really a must!

7. Get a power strip for your aquarium. It’s best to buy one that is not only waterproof, but also protects against electrical surges. You will have several things to plug in, just as you would with your home computer.

I thougth I share it with you. And a comment tell you why you should get some sucker fish for your fish tank.

Aside from being easy, the state Trout in the Classroom coordinator said, raising trout is educational. Last year, a fish tank in the classroom helped one Virginia teacher cover 13 of the 14 life-science objectives on the state Standards of Learning, Landreth said. The program, run by the state's Trout Unlimited chapters, will reach about 15,000 students in more than 100 classrooms this year.

Here's how it works. Students get fish eggs in the fall. Landreth said eggs from the Wytheville hatchery, destined for the Smyth County classrooms, would likely be ready in November. Once the classes get their egg shipment, they put them in a basket inside a prepared 55-gallon aquarium. Then, when the fish are 2 to 3 inches long, they are released into the wild. That usually comes in April or May.

I knew raising fish could be a good lesson for you, but this just blew my hat off.

I really like my fish tank. Honestly, it all started with a one gallon aquarium for a Beta fish and has now grown into a 70 G African cichlid paradise. I can spend endless amounts of time and money on this thing. I like making it beautiful.

The latest addition is this ship wreck, thoughtfully purchased for me by a friend. You know, the kind of friend you never quite feel that you deserve. (As if buying birthday gifts for me is a challenge...)

I must say this fish tank invites you to look at it. Simple, but good looking.

Like the title says, I'm new to fish tanks. I only had a little fish tank many years ago, but besides that I don't know much about fish tanks.

If I were to buy a fish tank for my living room, what would I have to pay attention to? Does it matter if I buy a saltwater fish tank or a freshwater fish tank? I think that might be a good point to start.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

If I can get help with this, I'd be greatful.

The fish - known as anableps - originally come from the rivers of South America where they use their bizarre eyes to see both above and below the water's surface at the same time.

The pupil in each eye is horizontally divided into two parts, allowing the fish to find food at or below the surface and also give it extra protection against predators.

South Carolina Aquarium officials are considering bringing a four-dimensional theater experience to the attraction next year.

That means visitors watching a short film about ocean life, in addition to watching with 3-D glasses, also could feel a spritz of water hit their faces or what appears to be a fish swimming across their feet.

Kevin Kampwerth, director of brand communications, said the addition could recover some of the aquarium's group business, which took a hit this year in the wake of cutbacks in corporate and school spending.

Aquarium officials did not know if the theater would operate within an existing space or in another structure.

Smart move

Another technical institute wants to start offering classes in the Charleston area as existing programs see unprecedented demand during the recession.

ITT Technical Institute has formally asked the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education for clearance to open new campuses in North Charleston and Conway.

Locally, the group has leased about 20,000 square feet of space on Aviation Avenue in North Charleston.

This LED fish tank lighting looks really nice..

A beautiful a BIG aquarium.

Saltwater Aquarium / Fish Tank General Talk

Forum for the discussion of maintenance practices in a Saltwater environment. This includes questions on testing parameters, performing water changes and top-offs, cleaning algae, replacing substrates, moving tanks, and any other maintenance related tasks for Saltwater aquariums