Create My Dream Aquarium
Every great aquarium starts with one decision: what kind of underwater world do you want to live with? There are four main types. Compare them below, pick the one that fits your space, budget, and time, and we'll help you build it — in our Lauderhill showroom or delivered and installed at your home or office.
Which one is you?
Freshwater Aquarium
Colorful, flexible, beginner-friendlyThe classic starting point. Community tanks, bettas, discus, African cichlids, goldfish, or a single showpiece fish — with options for nearly every space and budget.
Planted Aquarium
A living underwater landscapeLive plants, natural wood and stone, shrimp, and peaceful fish — an aquarium that feels like a slice of nature. From simple low-light setups to high-tech CO2 aquascapes.
Reef Aquarium
Build your own living reefCorals, marine fish, and invertebrates in one living ecosystem. From soft-coral nano reefs to large SPS systems — the most rewarding aquarium, and the one that benefits most from a professional plan.
Fish-Only Saltwater (FOWLR)
Make the fish the centerpieceLove marine fish but not the coral care? Fish-only with live rock opens the door to angels, triggers, puffers, and other species that aren't reef-safe — without coral-specific lighting and dosing.
| Freshwater | Planted | Reef | Fish-Only Saltwater | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easiest | Easy to advanced | Intermediate to advanced | Intermediate |
| Starting budget | Lowest | Low to high (CO2 and lighting add up) | Highest (lighting, flow, dosing) | Moderate |
| Weekly time | 15–30 min | 30–60 min (trimming, dosing) | 45–90 min or professional maintenance | 30–45 min |
| What you can keep | Tetras, bettas, discus, cichlids, goldfish, shrimp | Small peaceful fish, shrimp, snails, live plants | Corals, clownfish, tangs, wrasses, cleanup crew | Angels, triggers, puffers, eels, larger predators |
| Water | Tap, conditioned | Tap or RO, remineralized | RO/DI + salt mix | RO/DI + salt mix |
| Good first choice? | Yes | Yes (low-tech) | With a plan and support | With a plan and support |
From idea to a running aquarium
Choose your type
Pick freshwater, planted, reef, or fish-only above — or come see all four running in our showroom and decide in person.
We plan and quote it
A short conversation about your space, budget, and what you want to keep. We size the tank, stand, filtration, and lighting and give you one clear quote.
Delivered, installed, maintained
We deliver and set it up at your home or office (from $150), walk you through care, and can keep it pristine with scheduled maintenance.
Not a pet store. An aquarium store.
The animals come first
Our staff are marine and environmental science students and graduates. Healthy livestock in individually filtered tanks, and honest advice about what will actually thrive in your setup.
Help before and after the sale
Advice in the showroom, our help center and calculators online, and step-by-step videos on our YouTube channel. Questions later are welcome, not a nuisance.
See it, then buy it at internet prices
Compare tanks, lighting, and filtration in person. Our in-store prices match our online store, so buying locally doesn't cost more.
One team from setup to upkeep
The same people who plan and install your aquarium can maintain it. Weekly or scheduled service from Boynton Beach to Miami.
See all four types running in one showroom
5344 N. University Drive, Lauderhill — one block south of Commercial Blvd, free parking. Bring photos of your space and we'll tell you what fits.
Choosing an aquarium type
What is the easiest aquarium for a beginner?
A freshwater community tank or a low-tech planted tank. Both use conditioned tap water, simple filtration, and forgiving fish. Most of our first-time customers start here.
How much does a saltwater or reef aquarium cost compared to freshwater?
Reef aquariums cost the most to set up because of lighting, water flow, and salt mixing. A fish-only saltwater tank sits in between. We give a written quote for any size after a short consultation, so you know the full number before you buy.
What size aquarium should I get?
Bigger is usually more stable and easier, not harder. For a first tank we typically suggest 10 to 40 gallons for freshwater and 20 gallons or more for saltwater, depending on the fish you want. Our tank collection covers nano to showpiece sizes.
Can you set up the aquarium for me?
Yes. We deliver and install throughout Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade, starting at $150 for a small aquarium with décor, and we offer ongoing maintenance.
Do you sell the fish, corals, and plants too?
Yes, in-store. We stock freshwater and saltwater fish, corals, invertebrates, and Florida's largest live-plant selection. Livestock is not shipped so we can guarantee its health.