| Wall fish tanks give a dramatic and elegant look to | | | | where you are going to place the fish tank and |
| any room. They can be mounted on a dividing wall | | | | make sure you allow some space for accessories |
| so that they can be viewed from two rooms. | | | | such as lights, pumps and filters. The pump can be |
| Although they are more expensive than stand | | | | placed some distance away from the fish tank, |
| mounted fish tanks and harder to install you will | | | | such as in another room, and water brought to |
| be pleased you have made the effort and | | | | the tank through pipes. Although this is extra |
| investment when you see how good they look | | | | work on installation it does have the advantage |
| and how much they are admired by your visitors. | | | | that you can pump a large amount of water |
| They can, however, be a harder to maintain than | | | | through the tank, which allows you to keep more |
| a regular fish tank as they are installed in a limited | | | | fish, and also keeps the noise of the pump away |
| space which makes it slightly harder to access | | | | from the room. One of the problems with wall |
| them for cleaning and other maintenance. Some | | | | tanks is that they tend to be narrow so they |
| now come with cabinets above or below the tank | | | | have a smaller surface area than rectangular fish |
| which can help make access easier. | | | | tanks. This means that unless you oxygenate the |
| Some of the newer wall fish tanks come as kits | | | | water very well you will not be able to keep so |
| with all the accessories and mounting fixtures | | | | many fish in the tank. |
| needed so that the filters, pump etc. are easily | | | | If you're going to use a professional carpenter or |
| concealed. These are easy to install so you may | | | | builder to install your fish tank talk to him before |
| not need a professional to do it for you. If you | | | | you buy the tank and make sure that he knows |
| are unsure of your skills in this area, however, it is | | | | exactly what you need to be done. once your |
| well worth paying someone to do the installation | | | | tank is installed it will need to be treated just like |
| for you so that all you need to do then is to fill | | | | any other fish tank by cycling the tank before |
| your fish tank and stock it. | | | | you add the fish. We recommend a fishless |
| One of the things you need to do before you | | | | cycling method that is easy to do and does not |
| hang a fish tank is to find out if there are any | | | | cause distress to the fish. Once you have cycled |
| electrical wires or pipes in the wall where you | | | | tank you can start to add your fish and plants if |
| intend to place it. You also need to find a load | | | | you are using them. |
| bearing wall and locate the wall studs. Fish tanks | | | | A very dramatic effect can be achieved by |
| can be very heavy when filled with water so you | | | | making a saltwater tank with colorful saltwater |
| need to be sure that the wall and studs can bear | | | | fish and corals, but this is, perhaps a project for |
| the weight. You also need to decide whether you | | | | more experienced fish keeper. A wall fish tank, as |
| are going to hang the fish tank or build it into the | | | | we have said, makes an excellent focal point in |
| wall. | | | | your room and is sure to be admired by all your |
| The next thing to do is to measure the area | | | | visitors. |