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Float Glass: The entry-level standard. It features an 85% light transmittance rate and offers low cost and scratch resistance. Its drawbacks include significant weight, a slight greenish tint in thicker panes, and a brittle texture that makes it prone to shattering.

Ultra-Clear Glass: An upgraded version of float glass. Characterized by low iron content (≤0.015%), it boasts a light transmittance rate of 91.5%–93% with zero color distortion. It offers high structural strength and a low risk of spontaneous breakage. Its primary disadvantage is its price, which is 1.5 to 2 times that of standard float glass.

Tempered Glass: Produced through a high-temperature process. It possesses 4 to 5 times the strength of ordinary glass and, upon breaking, shatters into small, granular fragments, ensuring high safety. Its drawbacks include the inability to be cut or drilled after tempering, fragile edges, and a slightly lower light transmittance rate. It is most commonly used for the bottom and side panels of large-scale aquariums.

Acrylic (PMMA) is a material frequently used in high-end aquariums, offering distinct advantages: It weighs only 50% as much as glass, making transportation and installation convenient; it boasts a light transmittance rate exceeding 92%, ensuring exceptional visual clarity; and it possesses high toughness and impact resistance, allowing it to be thermoformed into unique, custom shapes. Disadvantages include lower surface hardness, making it prone to scratching; a price point that is 2 to 3 times higher than a glass aquarium of the same size; and a tendency to age and yellow over time if exposed to prolonged sunlight (though UV-resistant variants can mitigate this effect).

Other materials—such as organic glass (a broader term encompassing acrylic), reinforced glass, and composite materials—are used less frequently and are typically reserved for specific, specialized requirements.

Material Selection Recommendations: Beginners should opt for float glass (affordable and easy to maintain); those prioritizing quality and aesthetics should choose ultra-clear glass (transparent and visually stunning); and those with children or pets, those requiring large-scale tanks, or those with specific needs regarding mobility or custom shapes should make acrylic their first choice.

To assist you in making an informed decision regarding aquarium materials, we have compiled the following comparison table:

Material Type	Light Transmittance	Weight	Impact Resistance	Hardness	Price	Key Advantages	Key Disadvantages
Float Glass	85%	Heavy (2.5x acrylic)	Low	High (Level 6–7)	Low	Affordable, scratch-resistant, chemically stable	Heavy, green tint, fragile
Ultra-Clear Glass	91.5%–93%	Heavy	Low	High	Medium–High	High transparency, low breakage risk, high strength	Relatively expensive, heavy
Tempered Glass	80%–85%	Heavy	High (4–5x)	High	Medium	High safety, high strength	Cannot be re-processed, fragile edges
Acrylic	>92%	Lightweight (50% of glass)	Extremely High	Low (Level 2–3)	High	Lightweight, high transparency, highly moldable	Prone to scratching, expensive, prone to yellowing

Aquarium dimensions should be selected based on the available space and your specific needs. Recommendations for various settings are as follows.

Location	Space Size	Tank Length	Volume	Placement & Notes
Living Room	< 20 m²	40–60 cm	50–80 L	Next to coffee table / on TV cabinet
	20–30 m²	80–120 cm	100–200 L	Freestanding floor unit
	> 30 m²	> 150 cm	Large	Custom half‑wall aquascape; total height 60–80 cm, 30 cm clearance for maintenance
Bedroom	Standard	30–50 cm	≤ 30 L	Small desktop tank
	Large	~60 cm	Medium	Must use silent filtration to avoid noise
Office	Personal desk	Small	20–40 L	For betta / small fish
	Reception/Conference	Medium	40–110 L	20‑gallon long tank
	Large office	Large	> 200 L	Integrated, low‑maintenance design

To provide a more intuitive understanding of the weights of fish tanks of various sizes, we have compiled the following table:

Tank Size (Gallons)	Approximate Capacity (Liters)	External Dimensions (Inches: L × W × H)	Total Weight (Pounds)	Total Weight (Kilograms)
10 Gallons	38	20 × 10 × 12	111	50
20 Gallons (High)	76	24 × 12 × 16	225	102
29 Gallons	110	30 × 12 × 18	290	132
40 Gallons (Breeder)	151	36 × 18 × 16	400	181
55 Gallons	208	48 × 13 × 21	600	272
75 Gallons	284	48 × 18 × 21	850	386
100 Gallons	379	72 × 18 × 19	1150	522

Viewing distance directly impacts the visual experience; maintaining an appropriate viewing distance allows you to fully appreciate the beauty of the aquascape within the tank. The following are recommended viewing distances for aquariums of various sizes:

Aquarium Length	Recommended Viewing Distance	Visual Effect
30–40 cm	0.5–1 meter	Suitable for close-range viewing; allows for clear observation of fine details.
50–60 cm	1–1.5 meters	The overall scene appears clear, and details remain visible.
80–100 cm	1.5–2 meters	The optimal viewing distance; provides a visually comfortable experience.
120–150 cm	2–3 meters	Allows for appreciation of the full panoramic view; creates a striking visual impact.
180 cm and above	3 meters and above	Requires a spacious setting; suitable for public areas.

Aquarium Type	Recommendation	Key Advantages	Main Disadvantages	Suitable For
Rectangular	Highly Recommended	Ample horizontal swimming space; large surface area for good oxygen exchange; stable water quality; easy equipment installation & maintenance; flexible aquascaping; no viewing distortion	No obvious drawbacks	Beginners & experienced hobbyists
Spherical	Not Recommended for fish	360° viewing; small footprint; attractive appearance	Visual distortion stresses fish; poor oxygenation; difficult equipment setup; unstable water quality; hard to clean	Decoration only, not for long‑term fish keeping
Irregular Shapes (bow-front, triangular, hexagonal, etc.)	Choose with Caution	Corner-fit available; panoramic viewing; aesthetically unique	Low space efficiency; poor equipment compatibility; hard maintenance; 2–3× higher cost; easy to form dead water zones	Aesthetics-focused users, not recommended for beginners
Saltwater	Professional	High ornamental value for corals & marine life	Requires ultra-clear glass, protein skimmer, strict water quality & temperature control; high difficulty & cost	Experienced hobbyists
Planted	Aquascaping	Ideal for aquatic plants & landscape	Needs specialized soil, CO₂ system, dedicated lighting; gentle filtration required; relatively high maintenance	Aquascaping enthusiasts
Ecological	Low-maintenance	Simulates natural ecosystem; self-sustaining; simple daily care	Long setup & stabilization period	Users seeking low maintenance
Desktop Micro-tank (5–20L)	Desktop	Compact, all-in-one; suitable for desks	Small volume, unstable water; only for small fish/shrimp	Office, small ornamental use
Custom	High-end	Custom size & design; for special spaces	Expensive; needs professional installation	Commercial spaces, luxury residences

Tips for Beginners: Avoid buying round or oddly shaped tanks (they offer poor functionality); do not blindly pursue oversized tanks (consider the structural load-bearing capacity and your ability to maintain them); never neglect essential supporting equipment (filtration, heating, etc.—all are indispensable); and avoid purchasing cheap, low-quality glass tanks (which are prone to leaks and spontaneous shattering).

Quality Inspection: For glass tanks, check the body for scratches, air bubbles, or cracks, and ensure the silicone seams at the joints are uniform and free of bubbles. For acrylic tanks, verify that the surface is scratch-free and offers high transparency. For the tank stand/cabinet, verify its load-bearing capacity and ensure it is stable and secure. 

Budget Allocation: Beginners are advised to allocate 40% of their total budget to the aquarium tank itself and 60% to equipment (filtration, lighting, heating, etc.—such as Seaoura LED aquarium lights). Experienced hobbyists may increase their equipment budget based on specific needs, prioritizing filtration and water-quality-related devices.

Maintenance Considerations: When making a choice, beginners should assess their available time; those with limited time should opt for easy-to-maintain, all-in-one aquarium kits and simple filtration systems. Those with ample time may choose larger tanks and complex aquascapes, provided they commit to regular water changes and filter media cleaning to maintain stable water quality.