Frequently Asked Questions About Our Custom Fish Tanks and More

For over 16 years, we’ve worked closely with hundreds of clients to create and maintain their custom fish tanks. In that time, we’ve noticed many people have similar questions about our company and services. So, we’ve compiled those questions along with our answers below.

For your convenience, we’ve broken these frequently asked questions into two sections – one for answers about our company and services specifically and the other about custom fish tanks, maintenance, etc. We hope you find these sections helpful!

Of course, if you still have questions, don’t hesitate to call. One of our aquarium experts will happily answer any questions you still have!

Jump to the question you’re looking for:

• How much does a custom aquarium cost?
• Why do custom fish tanks cost so much?
• Will my space support a custom aquarium?
• How long will the design and installation process take?
• What precautions do you take for the health of my fish?
• Why should I pay for professional aquarium maintenance?
• How often do you have to clean fish tanks?
• How often to change fish tank water?
• How often to clean a fish tank filter?
• Why is my fish tank cloudy?
• How many fish per aquarium?
• How much aquarium gravel do I need?

Living Art Aquatics FAQs

How Much Does a Custom Aquarium Cost?

We’re not going to lie to you. The custom aquariums we design are not cheap. Some can cost more than $10,000. However, there is no set price because the exact cost will depend on the project’s unique specifications. No two aquarium systems we design are the same, so the price varies from project to project.

Once we discuss your vision of the aquarium and survey the space where you’d like to put it, we’ll give you a complete cost estimate. We promise to be transparent about the price and all the services included in that number.

Why Do Custom Fish Tanks Cost So Much?

Custom aquariums cost significantly more than regular aquariums because of the quality craftsmanship and expertise that comes with them.  At Living Art Aquatics, our team strives to make the extra money you invest more than worth it. We do this in the following ways:

• Using the highest quality materials to ensure your tank will last
• Setting up your aquarium with all necessary heating, lighting and filtration features
• Educating you on everything you need to know to take care of your aquarium
• Taking the necessary precautions to protect the health of your fish

Will My Space Support a Custom Aquarium?

We’ve had many customers come to us uncertain about if their space can house an aquarium. Some wonder if a large fish tank will be too heavy for their floors. Others aren’t sure if the tank will fit in a tightly angled spot.

Our team of architects, designers and engineers know how to adapt custom designs to any space. So, you can rest assured that we will leave you with a custom fish tank perfectly suited to thrive in your home or business.

How Long Will the Design and Installation Process Take?

Generally, a project will take between 6-8 weeks from start to finish. However, it can be longer or shorter than this, depending on the size and scope of the project. Still, our team will be upfront with you about how long it should take before we begin your project so that you’ll know what to expect.

What Precautions Do You Take for the Health of My Fish?

We’re passionate about making beautiful aquariums and care deeply about the health and safety of the fish we put in them. Therefore, we take many precautions to protect their health and safety, including:

• Cycling the tank to prepare the water before adding any fish
• Quarantining all fish to ensure they’re healthy and eating before adding them
• Only adding fish species that interact well together

These are just some of the many best practices we’ve learned over the years. Let us use our decades of experience as hobbyists and professionals to give you a healthy and vibrant aquarium.

Why Should I Pay for Professional Aquarium Maintenance?

Our aquarium maintenance service can make your life easier. After all, it’s not always convenient for people to maintain a complex system like a custom fish tank. Our professional assistance will give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing experts are caring for your tank.

We will handle many delicate and time-consuming tasks for you, such as:

• Inspecting fish for disease
• Removing algae and glass from overflow pipes
• Testing the water chemistry
• Regular water changes
• Cleaning and servicing filters
• Cleaning decorative items
• Polishing custom cabinetry

Our team is happy to perform all these tasks and more for you. We also provide 24/7 service for any maintenance emergencies that arise.

Fish Tank and Aquarium Maintenance FAQs

How often do you have to clean fish tanks?

Generally, you’ll need to clean your tank every other week. But this number can change based on how many fish you have and how messy they are. If you’re unsure about your tank’s required cleaning frequency, please ask one of our aquarium experts during the design or building process. They can give a definitive answer based on your tank’s unique needs.

How often do you change fish tank water?

Small, frequent water changes are the best option to keep your tank’s water clean without disrupting the internal ecosystem or risking the health of your fish. Many experts recommend changing 10% to 25% of your aquarium’s water every one to two weeks.

How often do you clean a fish tank filter?

You should clean your fish tank filter whenever you change your aquarium’s water. Depending on your unique setup, this could be every one or two weeks.

Why is my fish tank cloudy?

If your fish tank is a new build, it’s normal for the water to be cloudy. This is called a bacteria bloom and should be gone after a few days or weeks. However, if an established tank suddenly becomes cloudy, it can mean a couple of different things, including:

• The water needs to be changed
• The tank itself requires cleaning
• You have too many fish for the aquarium’s size
• The water quality is poor
• You have new bacterial blossoms (which may be good or bad)

If your established tank becomes cloudy, contact our professionals for assistance. Although many reasons are relatively harmless, others can risk the health of your marine life.

How many fish per aquarium?

This is a tricky question because there’s no single answer. However, there is a general rule many experts and hobbyists use. You should have no more than one inch of adult fish per gallon of water.

For example, we’ll say you want to start with a basic aquarium of three standard goldfish. Most goldfish will never become bigger than six inches in captivity – so three of them can be calculated as 18 inches maximum. Therefore, you’d need at least an 18-gallon aquarium for your three goldfish to thrive. When in doubt, it’s always better to round up. In this example, you could choose a 20-gallon tank to be safe.

How much aquarium gravel do I need?

The answer depends on the size of your aquarium. Traditionally, it’s recommended that you use about one pound of gravel per gallon. This means you’d need 20 pounds of gravel for a 20-gallon tank. However, there are sometimes other considerations for those with custom fish tanks. We’d be happy to let you know the appropriate amount of aquarium gravel to maintain for your unique design.

Have More Questions for Us?

Although we’ve taken the time to answer many common questions about our company specifically and aquarium maintenance generally, you may still have questions. After all, designing and maintaining a custom fish tank is extensive and complex, so it’d be impossible for us to cover every question here.

Thankfully, we enjoy answering our customers’ questions and helping bring their aquarium dreams to life. If you have a question we didn’t answer on this page, please feel free to reach out!