Salt Water Aquarium Ideas

Saltwater aquariums can be focal points in both home and office environments. The aquariums are traditionally large and feature fish that are found in saltwater locations. There are several ways to make a saltwater aquarium both dramatic and functional. Depending on your space and your budget, the sky really is the limit.

  1. Room Divider

    • You can use a saltwater aquarium to divide two rooms. The aquarium will be visible from both rooms and you will still be able to see into the other room through the aquarium, but it can give a physical distinction between two separate rooms. You can also use a large saltwater aquarium to differentiate spaces in a single room. For example, if one side of a great room is for eating and another is for lounging, a saltwater aquarium between the two areas would create a visual separation.

    Cabinet or Corner Placement

    • If you do not have a large enough space to place a saltwater aquarium in the middle of a room, you can consider placing one in a well-viewed corner or embedding it into an existing cabinet. The downside to this type of placement is the aquarium cannot be viewed from all sides. It will still create a dramatic effect, especially if it is placed inside a cabinet, which will be unexpected and surprising for visitors.

    Tank Decorations

    • The featured part of a saltwater aquarium is obviously the fish, but both the animals and the people viewing them will benefit from some added decorations. Fake or dead coral, live coral or live rocks are the best options for saltwater tanks. Beware, however, that fake or dead coral will quickly collect algae and will need to be cleaned regularly. Live coral are actually living animals, will require quite a bit of care and can be expensive. Fish Lore suggests novice saltwater aquarium owners not attempt to add those to their tanks. Live rock can be shaped into different designs and covered with special sealant to repel algae, making them ideal for saltwater aquariums.

    Tank Backgrounds

    • If you will be placing your saltwater aquarium in an area where it can viewed from all sides, you do not need to have a tank background. If your tank is only going to be seen from one side, however, you will need a background. You can purchase ready-made tank backgrounds that feature underwater scenery. The problem with ready-made backgrounds is that water can get between the background and the wall of the tank, creating ugly marks. Another option is to paint the outside glass of the backside of the tank dark blue or black. This will not distract from the fish and should be relatively maintenance-free.