Aquariums

Kids go through a range of stages when they’re young. You’ve got the ”terrible 2s,” the “don’t talk to me teens,” and if you’re really unlucky, the “awkward pre-teens” where you have no clue what’s going on but you know it’s awkward and bizarre. If you’re living through one of these stages or worried about how you’ll react once they reach said stage, you’re not alone. All parents go through it, and the key is to latch on to their interests and ride with them. 

One of the more common interests that captures kids are aquariums. If you’re 52 and reading this with a 150-gallon shark tank in your living room, aquariums are indeed for you as well. But the hobby typically begins as a child, and it’s a great hobby (collecting and raising fish) as it teaches responsibility and an appreciation of nature. 

While most parents jump into buying an aquarium without a care in the world, this is a mistake. You’ll likely spend way too much, or worse, way too little and end up with little Johnny wanting to wring your neck because the whole thing turned out lousy. First up is your budget. Again, you can go big (financially) the first time around, but it’s not recommended. You or your kid might not be into the fish collecting and raising business and want to ditch this after a month. Realistically, a decent budget to start with (while not breaking the bank) is $150 to $200. Within this range, the supplies and products you’ll be purchasing are the aquarium itself, the stand, cleaning supplies, a filter, a heater, water treatment, and a net. As you can see, you’ll get a lot of bang for your buck for $150 - $200. 

As a first-time owner, this next bit of advice will sound counterintuitive. Believe it or not, opting for a smaller tank (one under 10 gallons) is more difficult to manage than a larger one. Toxins tend to build up quickly with small volumes of water, and couple this with water chemistry and temperature changes the tank will need regular cleaning (at a higher interval) as compared to larger tanks. You’ve likely seen those super cute, mini tanks ranging in two to five gallons. They look great, but they’re designed for more experienced collectors. Go for a 20-gallon tank or more as your margin for error is much more forgiving. 

Another important area is the weight. To give you an idea, a 15-gallon tank, fully filled, weighs in the 200 - 215-pound range. You’ll need a sturdy stand for a tank this large, and you’ll also need a convenient spot in the home to place it. Consider that you’ll need to clean the tank regularly and having close access to a bathroom, for example, is a good idea. And lastly, the number of fish. This is the area that stresses folks out. The foremost thing to keep in mind is your first fish will likely die. It sounds terrible, but a new tank with new fish sometimes does not yield great results. Go for a handful of cheaper fish and see how it goes. The tank will also need to begin producing its own chemicals which will help subsequent fish later on. 

Just remember, even if they die on you in the beginning, an aquarium can be an excellent, long-term addition for any young person. The lessons they impart are invaluable.