Tank maintenance can also be a nightmare as it is impossible to get your hand to the bottom of a tank that is as tall, or taller than you. This can be solved however by buying specialized cleaning brushes for tower fish tanks. Advice For Owning Column Aquariums For tropical fish, you can accommodate more fish per litre: the ratio is 1 litre per 1cm of fish. So, you could safely hold two 10cm fish, three 5cm fish and five 3cm fish safely in a 50 litre tank. The quiet-running filter is a boon if you’re planning to keep the tank in a bedroom, and the specification is ample for a tank of this size. Crucially, given the 54 litre capacity, it’s very reasonably priced – tanks this size can cost three times as much – which is why we rate it so highly.

The Tetra Starter Line is a great choice for – as the name suggests – those looking for their first tank. This premium-priced tank has all the high-quality extras you could possibly ask for. The 307 external filter is both efficient and powerful enough to keep the water clean, and the 300W heater is ample to accommodate any tropical beauties in your tank. The least preferred fish type for a tower tank is going to be anything small. They just won't fill out and decorate the tank properly unless they are mixed in with larger fish to balance it out. It is also important to be aware that tetras which are a small fish but favorable, tend to float to the top of the water tank and since they are jumpers you'll want to make sure you have a secure tank top or you're going to experience a lot of trouble.If you have small space to work with and want to avoid taking up so much room, tower tanks can be the answer. They can easily be placed in a corner out of the way allowing you to make the most of the room it's placed in. Not only that but they look stunning and add a touch of flair and ambiance to your home. Tower tanks however are not the ideal home for most fish. Fish in general do not live in deep water and the pressure at the bottom of a 4, 5 or 6ft tank will be too high for them. READ NEXT: Best pet insurance The best fish tanks you can buy 1. Tetra Starter Line: Best value tank for fish newbies You’ll also want some kind of lighting setup for your environment so you can see your new pets night and day. However, bear in mind that lighting is essential for keeping corals in a saltwater tank, as corals have specific requirements for intensity and duration of lighting throughout the day. The same is true of heating systems which tropical fish may need during British winters.

Fish will grow in size, which is something to be mindful of in these calculations, but if you are unsure it’s always best to enquire at your local fish emporium for advice. Make sure to ask how many of a particular breed would be a suitable number for your tank, and which combinations of breeds are a good match. What other features are important to a fish tank? Key specs – Tank dimensions (HWD):139 x 111 x 43cm; Water capacity:252 litre; Other sizes?168 litre & 345 litre; Tank extras:Filter, heater, Bluetooth light-system Fluval’s Edge 2.0 combines eye-catching style with a compact design. Its square shape and modest dimensions make it easy to fit on a corner table or cabinet, and, visually, it almost looks as if the tank is floating. As a result, a good rule of thumb is to get a fish tank which has one litre of cold water per 0.5cm (excluding tails and fins) of fish. For instance, a 50 litre tank could safely house two 10cm and one 5cm fish. Or, alternatively, you could accommodate six 4cm fish. You could probably squeeze a couple more in, but this will all vary depending on the types of fish you want to keep, alongside other tank components such as plants, lights and filters. If in doubt, bigger is always better.Key specs – Tank dimensions (HWD): 62 x 33 x 37cm; Water capacity: 54 litre; Other sizes? 30 litre & 105 litre; Tank extras: Filter, heater, light These tanks can be ideal for those who want a larger capacity tank but do not have the space. They create a really good 360 degree view of the fish in the tank. Care must be taken though not to place them in direct sunlight. PROS: Cylinder Fish Tanks & Column Aquariums