Blog POP! API AquaTunes 2.5 Gallon Aquarium #Giveaway

We received the following aquarium in hopes we would share our experiences here on the blog. All fish/decorations/etc were purchased separate and are not affiliated. We are not experts, please consult one before adopting fish and beginning a new tank.

Momma Told Me: Don't look at me, its your pet!

We have a lot of pets in our household, and Sabrina(12) certainly has had a menagerie through the years. Her mother has caved on more than one 'But mom!' paired with a sad face and puppy eyes, but none have ever really been her pet. Having a beloved animal in the home that you interact and play with is much different than being responsible for a living thing through and through. So, when the pleas for a new pet began most recently we decided we would cave with a pet she could call all her own; 3 colorful guppies she promptly named Squiggles, Spot, and Steven. But before we could bring them home we had a bit of a quest to find and setup the perfect first tank.

After a lot of research, and some important insight from Sabrina (this one lights up and plays music) we decided on a modest sized API AquaTunes 2.5 Gallon Aquarium. Naturally the adults had more scientific reasoning than the tween. While its a simple acrylic tank, the 2.5 is the perfect starter size to allow 3-4 small school size fish while allowing room for decorations (one of the most important parts from a child's perspective!) I loved that is was not only affordable, at around $40 retail, but came packaged as a comprehensive kit including API Quick Start Aquarium Food/Treatments, a Superclean 10 Filtration Pump, 3 Color LED Lighting, and MP3 Sound Stick.

Out of the box the API AquaTunes aquariums are ready to go, so to speak- you will want to set up and cycle your tank about 2 weeks prior to adding fish. Read more about tank preparation in our First Tank For Kids Guide from earlier this year. What you WILL need to purchase is a long term water treatment solution, long term fish food source, gravel or rock bedding of choice (about 5lbs) and 1 medium or 2-3 small decorations. Corner tanks offer great visibility in use, but can be a bit of a pain to fill and decorate so bring the acrylic tank with you to pick out decorations if possible. The only thing more frustrating than a child waiting 2 weeks to bring home fish is one who has waited 2 weeks and then hears their Sofia The First fish castle doesn't fit!

For children old enough to help with setup establishing a tank can be a valuable learning experience (and a test in patience.) Read up on and learn about the carbon cycles for aquariums, and balancing pH levels (even in low level 'Guppy' style aquariums.) Remember to stress that the fish are a living responsibility and proper cleaning and care of the aquarium is vital to their survival. In general I always recommend bringing a water sample in to your local pet store for free testing before introducing fish into a new tank.As professionals they will be able to ensure your aquarium is ready to become the new aquatic environment for your swimming friends.

I have to say not only did Sabrina do a great job decorating and laying out her AquaTunes aquarium, but the first initial views were breath-taking. The acrylic is crystal clear and the wide walls of the corner shaped aquarium make for optimal viewing at any angle. The AquaTunes is essentially identical to the API Corner 2.5 Gallon tank except that which gives it it's name- the simple LED lighting and sound fixture that mounts in the lid of the tank. This simple device has a three color alternating LED color lamp (Red, Blue, and Green) and the ability to play sound clips and songs from a micro SD card. And let me tell you this unit is LOUD and clear.

Sabrina was beside herself to learn she could have a fish tank all her own AND play Bruno Mars in her bedroom. This was one big win all around for the cost- and that lesson in responsibility? Those fish have not only survived 3 months so far, but made a trip from California to Texas in her recent move. I'd say she's really stepping up thanks to her new AquaTunes aquarium! You'll find this and other API aquariums online at Amazon.com and in stores such as Walmart and Kohl's.

What Daughter Says: Help foster responsibility with the gift of a starter aquarium this holiday season.

API Aquatunes 2.5 Gal tank, plays MP3s and has adjustable mood lighting! #BrunoMars #FishOfInstagram #aquarium

A video posted by Jenna Marie's (@mommatoldme) on Aug 8, 2014 at 7:29pm PD

One Momma Told Me reader will win an 2.5 AquaTunes API Aquarium! Enter below and click the banner above to be taken to the official event Giveaway LINKY!

Blog POP! API AquaTunes 2.5 Gallon Aquarium

THE FINE PRINT: All entrants must be 18 years of age or older. Please read each giveaway 's directions carefully as entry methods differ, and giveaways may be open to different world areas. Please make sure you leave a way (valid email address in form or comment) with your entries to be contacted if you win. Please note that Momma Told Me, Blog POP! or the Blog POP! bloggers are not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes. We have represented each sponsor with the expectation they will fulfill their prize and in a timely manner we will contact the sponsor regarding your prize(s). The sponsors, in most cases, are shipping their items to you directly and prizes will likely not arrive in time for the holidays due to event and giveaway timing. We will make every effort to assist you obtaining your prize should concerns arise after winner's notification. If there is an issue with a sponsor please notify the blog owner no sooner than 14 days from prize notification and no more than 6 weeks, for assistance, after that we may be unable to assist you.