Before You Buy Tips

From the simplest of styles starting at under $2.00 to moderately and higher priced units with automatic alerts and other special features, with the many different kinds of aquarium thermometers there are to choose from, which do you buy? Make an informed decision by reviewing the pro and con comparisons on each style of aquarium thermometer...

Ask most any seasoned aquarists what size aquarium is good to start with for saltwater, and they will tell you that the larger the volume of water you are dealing with in an aquarium, the better. The primary reason? Because there are fewer concerns with environmental changes occurring rapidly. Smaller is not always easier, or better, and before you buy a mini-aquarium kit, here are important thin…

Before buying an aquarium heater, automatic fish feeder, protein skimmer, test kits, other equipment and supplies for your saltwater aquarium, read these important Before You Buy Tips from your About Guides.

Smaller is not always easier, or better, and before you buy a mini, micro, nano or pico aquarium kit, here are important things you should consider about these compact all-in-one systems, because they are not for everyone.

If you are not familiar with the specifics of keeping a saltwater system and want to buy a complete aquarium setup for someone as a gift that is new to the hobby, read these before you buy tips from your Guides on what needs to be considered before doing so.

Make sure that the heater you are buying is the right one for your purposes. Not all heaters are the same.

There are several things to consider before purchasing an automatic feeder: The type of food that you feed (flake, pellet, freeze-dried, a variety). How long the feeder would have to run before being refilled. If you feed more than once per day, that has to be considered. Some foods tend to clump and/or go bad in high humidity. Some auto...

To pick a protein skimmer that is suitable for your aquarium needs, before you buy one, take a look at the many types one can choose from, what features they have, and what differences there are between the many models available.

A nice gift, or is it? Your About Guides address this freshwater issue, because although beautiful, if proper fish care and diligent maintenance is not provided, these types of "so-called" aquarium setups are not a conducive environment for fish to live in.

Even if you know absolutely nothing about aquariums, it isn't really all that difficult to find a gift for the aquarist on your holiday shopping list. Items such as tank heaters, hydrometers, aquarium books, algae scrapers and airstones are safe bets, and always appreciated.

Here are some tips from your About Guides of what to consider about dry powder or tablet, and liquid solution reagents used in test kits before you buy them.