A good freshwater aquarium should cost between 6 and 10 dollars per gallon.

If you like the idea of keeping fish as pets but want to start out with something a little fancier than a pair of goldfish in a glass bowl, then a freshwater aquarium might be the perfect choice for you. Less expensive and easier to maintain than saltwater setups, freshwater aquariums offer endless enjoyment for fish enthusiasts and can serve as a wonderful centerpiece for a room. With a few bits of information in mind, you can walk into a pet or fish store and come home with everything you need.

John Holcomb has been taking care of fish since he was a young child, when he would save his allowance money to buy new fish and aquarium equipment. Now the president of Dallas North Aquariums, he still has the same awe and excitement for the hobby that he had as a kid, and he offers this basic guide to buying freshwater aquariums:

• Stores. Holcomb recommends choosing a reputable store that has been in business for a few years and features clean, well-kept show tanks and healthy fish.

• Dechlorinators. Since chlorine and other water contaminants can kill your fish, one essential piece of equipment is a quality dechlorinator, something that will deal with the chloramines and ammonia found in tap water. The best models will actually contain aloe vera, which aids in keeping your fish healthy

• Filters. As far as filters go, most people start with a good under-gravel filter, and then add on a second filter if necessary. Larger aquariums require an outside filter.

• Price. According to Holcomb, a good freshwater aquarium setup will cost between six and ten dollars per gallon of water in the tank. And since beginners can do very well with a six or ten gallon aquarium, the startup costs are very reasonable.

The Age of Aquariums
www.aquahobby.com

A World of Fish
www.aworldoffish.com

Fish Information Service
fins.actwin.com

Yahoo Fish Links
dir.yahoo.com/Science/Biology/Zoology/Animals__Insects__and_Pets/Fish/

Aquarium Station
www.petstation.com/fish.html

Next: Choosing Aquarium Fish