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Aquarium Gift Giving
A holiday gift of an aquarium just may be a big hit this year. An aquarium can make a special and unique gift for a difficult-to-buy-for person on your list.
An aquarium is appropriate for anyone who has expressed interest or even requested one. If it is a welcome gift, it can offer endless enjoyment for many years, long after the holidays. You should always have a good idea of the reaction of your recipient, so that you don’t burden someone with long-term maintenance of an aquarium they may not be interested in. But for those that are, it’s a great gift for the young and old alike. An aquarium can teach responsibility to kids and teens and offer an alternative to those that may not be able to have another pet like a dog or cat. It can be a great present for an elderly person who may not be able to take care of other pets. It’s a beautiful, interactive gift that can open up the window to a new hobby for someone.
An aquarium may be a good gift for:
- apartment dwellers who can't have other pets
- kids not allowed to have other pets
- children who are learning the responsibilities of pets
- elderly or disabled who can't take care of other pets
- someone who wants something special in the design of their house
- an aquarium hobbyist who already has an aquarium- it's an addicting hobby - they might enjoy a second or third aquarium of a different type
Be careful in surprising someone with an aquarium without it mentioning it to them beforehand, and don’t buy an aquarium young children, as they must be old enough to respect the combination of water and electricity!
Once you have decided to purchase an aquarium, the process is painless! Go to Aquarium Shine/Aquatic Discoveries and speak to an aquarium expert. A knowledgeable staff member can help you put together a great first-time aquarium, or get you set up with a quality starter kit beginning at around $50-$60 for a 10-gallon tank able to hold approximately 10 fish. They will ensure you have all the accessories you should give with the aquarium, such as the items on the checklist below.
- aquarium
- stand
- hood/lid
- light
- filtration system
- heater
- thermometer
- substrate
- fish net
- water conditioner
- test kit – ammonia
- test kit – nitrite
- test kit – pH
- siphon
- algae scrubber
- water bucket - 5 gallon
- reference book(s)
- gift certificate for fish, decorations, & food
Your recipient will have everything they need for a tank ready for live creatures. Ironically, you don’t buy the fish! Your recipient will first need to fill the tank with water, stabilize chemicals and then add fish. A gift certificate is the best way to allow them to choose the fish they wish, when the aquarium is prepped. It also makes this a great potential group gift, as different parties can contribute various items.
A tetra tank is also a popular idea. Tetras are small, South American, often brightly-colored, even flashy, freshwater fish. They are active schooling fish that work well in a community aquarium, and are an excellent choice for those new to fish keeping.
- Neon tetra
- Cardinal tetra
- Glow Light tetra
- Blood Fin tetra
- Lemon tetra
- Congo tetra
- Black Phantom tetra
- White Skirt tetra
The Oceanic Biocube is an extremely popular and trendy tank for both freshwater and saltwater environments. It has all the necessary equipment built-in. Your recipient chooses what they would like to go in the tank and then it is just “Plug and Play” and enjoy!
A first time aquarium owner needs all the essentials, plus maintenance items. A seasoned aquarium owner will always need maintenance items, and these can also make great gifts.
Another impressive gift idea is a gift certificate for a custom-designed aquarium. This allows your recipient to control all the details of the size, shape and look of the aquarium, and can be a great addition to one’s home!
