Choosing an aquarium. The first thing you should decide when planning to get an aquarium is what kind of aquarium you want to keep and where you wont to keep it.
A fresh water aquarium is to be preferred when you are planning your first aquarium for several reasons. A fresh water aquarium is easier to manage and requires less expensive equipment then a marine aquarium. Freshwater fishes are also generally cheaper then salt water fishes. There are more hardy saltwater species if you have your heart set on a marine aquarium even though a freshwater aquarium might be a better choice..
There are two basic types of freshwater aquariums, Cold water aquariums and tropical aquariums. A tropical aquarium gives you a wider selection of suitable fishes then a cold water aquarium. There can also be hard to keep a cold water aquarium cold in todays warm houses.
When you have decided what kind of aquarium you want its time to decide where you want to keep the aquarium. The placement of the aquarium might affect the preferred size and shape of your aquarium. A larger aquarium is easier to maintain. You should never place an aquarium under a window or anywhere ells where its struck by direct sunlight.
You can choose to buy your aquarium as a package complete with the necessary equipment or buy the aquarium and the equipment separately. What you choose is up to you, packages have the advantage that they often are cheaper but gives you less options then if you by everything separately.
You may also choose to buy an aquarium second hand and this is often a good and cheap way to get everything you need. Make sure that the aquarium doesnt leak and look for cracks in the glass before buying an aquarium second hand.