The make-up of an aquarium is a combination of many elements. Aside from the fish, plants will also need to be part in order to create a more suitable underwater environment. Other elements such as water, soil and rocks should go well together in order to create that perfect environment for its occupants, which are the fish. Armed with these general principles, people may be able to create aquariums well-suited for different kinds of fish. But not all aquariums are alike.

Different types of aquariums are being set up for different types of fish. This is to provide an ideal environment that is as close as the natural surroundings of the fish that will be kept in it. The different types of aquariums are usually identified with respect to the kind of environment created. And to accommodate this fact, aquariums are generally divided into two main groups- the temperate and the tropical aquariums.

Temperate aquariums, often called cold water aquariums, are those that are set up where the water temperatures are maintained at the range of 5 to 25 degrees Centigrade. The ideal water temperature should vary to the same extent as that in the levels found in the natural environment. Although these types of aquariums aren't heated, it may be a bit difficult to establish as room temperatures will barely fall below 15 degrees Centigrade.

Tropical aquariums are those types of aquariums that aim to recreate an underwater environment usually found in the areas lying between the tropic of Cancer to the north of the equator and the tropic of Capricorn to the south. It is in this area of the world where water temperatures vary by only a few degrees in a year. It is in this kind of environment that fish and plants not native to the same region can be raised alongside each other.

In aquariums, it can create an environment that is either fresh water or salt water. Tropical aquariums may house a splendid variety of fishes and plants but may be harder to maintain than temperate aquariums.