When it comes to setting up a new fish tank, not everyone wants to have them on prominent display in the lounge or dining room – and there is no reason why you can’t plan to put a tank in a different room of the house.
Having fish in the kitchen is a popular choice so you can watch them while you cook and if you have a dining table in the kitchen then you can relax watching the fish while you eat together as a family.
So if you are planning to keep fish in the kitchen, what do you need to think about? Here are a few pointers to make fish in your kitchen possible.
Fish Tank in Kitchen
Choosing the best tank for your kitchen
When it comes to fitting a fish tank in your kitchen there are a number of options including a free standing tank with cabinet, a small tank which sits on the counter or a bespoke built-in option designed as part of your kitchen fittings.
Many kitchens are squeezed for space so if you want the tank to sit on the work surface then you need to take the available space into account. You don’t want to be struggling to reach a cupboard or make your tea because there is a fish tank in the way.
There are now many stunning mini tanks to choose from which could easily fit in your kitchen, under a unit, without any problems. A long rectangular tank might fit better than a square one. You also need to make sure you can still access the tank for maintenance purposes too.
Checking the right size for the right space
An easy way to see if the space you have chosen is the right size for your proposed tank is to cut a cardboard box into the right size and try putting it into your chose space to make sure it fits and to see how easy it is to access around.
Best place for the tank to go
You don’t want to end up with an algae-filled slimy looking tank in your kitchen, so the best way to combat this is by not putting the tank in direct sunlight. This will also help to maintain a constant temperature for the fish as well.
If you have a dark corner of the work top then use this for the fish tank – it will stop the fish getting too hot, reduce the likelihood of algae and will also brighten up the dark corner for you as well.
The most important thing in choosing where to put the tank is the temperature – you need the fish to stay constant so don’t place their tank next to the cooker or microwave, or any other heat source.
The size and shape of your tank shouldn’t matter whether you go for tropical or marine fish – either would be suitable for a kitchen-based tank as long as it’s placed in the best position possible.
Access for routine maintenance
You need to be able to access the fish tank easily so you can change the water and carry out any other routine maintenance tasks. In fact, if you place it near to the sink it will make your maintenance routine and water changing process much easier.
With smaller tanks you might need to top up the water weekly while other tanks might require this more frequently. If you have filters and heaters with the tank you will also need to be able to access these for routine maintenance and updates.
Design features
When choosing your tank take into account the design and style of your kitchen, particularly if you want it to fit in and seem like a natural part of the room. If you have a sleek, modern kitchen then opt for a modern design of fish tank.
There are all kinds of shapes and styles available. A country kitchen with wooden units might suit a fish tank in a wooden cabinet, for example. You can also take this into account when designing what goes into the tank from decorations to plants to the choice of the fish themselves.
If you want to be really coordinated you might even choose fish which fit in with your kitchen colour scheme!
As long as you don’t put your fish tank on the window sill in direct light, or right next to the cooker, there is no reason why your fish tank can’t become a perfect feature to be added to your kitchen.
Whether you opt for a small tank on the work surface or a stand-alone cabinet with a fish tank on top, fish will bring a calming influence into this important room of the house, adding colour and life into the heart of your home.