People may be reluctant to purchase an aquarium because they don’t know what to buy. There is a wide variety of equipment on the market and sometimes it’s difficult to know where to start. The mystery around buying an aquarium can be solved by purchasing an aquarium starter kit.
Acrylic Aquarium Starter Kit Models
Eclipse ®
One of the best-known acrylic aquarium systems is manufactured by Marineland and sold under the name of Eclipse ®. They offer 2-gallon tanks up to 12-gallon tanks.
Only the 2-gallon tank is available in a sea green hood and all the other aquariums have black hoods. There are matching black acrylic stands available. Most models are flat back but there are corner and hexagon tanks available in certain sizes.
The kit includes:
- Acrylic tank
- Hood with lighting
- Filter and cartridge with BIO-Wheel
- Fish food
- Water conditioner
- Book titled “A Beginners Guide to Successful Fishkeeping.”
Mini-Bow ®
Another popular manufacturer of acrylic aquarium starter kits is All-Glass and they are sold under the name of Mini-Bow ®. Their tanks are available in either 2.5 or 5 gallons. These aquariums are available in striking hood colors of purple, blue, red, and teal. All tanks are bow-front.
The kit includes:
- Tetra Whisper power filter
- Hood with lighting
- Water conditioner
- Fish food
Aquascene®
Top Fin Aquascene tanks are another popular model and are available in 5-gallon size. The acrylic tank is hexagonal in shape with a flat back. It is only available with a black hood.
The kit includes:
- Acrylic tank
- Hood and lighting
- Whisper internal micro filter
- Fish food
- Water conditioner
AquaView 360 ®
New to the market is Hawkeye Aquariums AquaView 360 ® Aquarium Kit. This set offers a unique light show with LED lights and a hood that will glow in the dark. The aquarium is cylindrical in shape and offers a 360-degree view of the fish.
The kit includes:
- Acrylic tank
- Canopy
- LED light unit
- Under gravel filter system
SeaClear ®
CASCO Group Inc offers a SeaClear ® line of acrylic tanks ranging from 8-gallon to 40-gallon. Hexagon tanks are available in 8, 10 and 20 gallons. There is a 10-gallon model in a flat-back hexagon. The larger tanks, which are available in 20 and 40 gallons, are rectangular show tanks.
The kit includes:
- Acrylic tank
- Hood and lighting
- Integrated stand
- External power filter
- Plastic plants
- Net
- Fish food
- Water conditioner
Benefits of Acrylic Aquariums
- Acrylic tanks are lightweight and have a molecular-bonded seal so they are less apt to leak.
- They are 6 to 17 times stronger than glass so they are accident proof.
- Acrylic is clearer than glass; therefore, fish appear true to color and brighter because more light can pass through.
Care of Acrylic Aquariums
- The bottom of acrylic tanks must be fully supported. If a commercial aquarium stand is not used, these tanks can be placed on sturdy dressers, desks and tables that have a solid base.
- Acrylic aquariums can scratch so it’s important to only buy scrapers and cleaning products made specifically for acrylic. When cleaning the inside of an acrylic tank, ensure that gravel does not get picked up by the scraper or cleaning brush.
- Acrylic starter kits are perfect for beginners or for people who want to have a beautiful but compact aquarium as a desk ornament or room accessory.
The kits are furnished with the essential equipment. Just add decorations, gravel, water and fish.
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