How to Arrange Decorations & Rocks in a Saltwater Aquarium

Landscape and design shows on television tend to make even the most uninterested person suddenly want to design something, including the aquascape in a saltwater fish aquarium. If someone can turn a boring backyard into a tropical paradise you can surely turn your fish tank into something that resembles high-tech aquarium tanks. However, the arrangement of the saltwater rocks and decor requires more than an eye for design. You must consider the type of fish that reside in the tank and their needs before you rearrange their furniture.

Refrain from placing decorations too close together. While it may be attractive to group flowering plants and seaweed items together, it makes it impossible to vacuum the gravel in that portion of the tank. You will then have to take everything out of the tank to clean the gravel before placing it back in the tank when you are finished.

Use larger pieces that provide hiding spaces for the fish, double as bubblers for the tank, and are easily moved and replaced when cleaning the tank. Large rock formations, driftwood and treasure chests often double as bubblers, and provide hiding places for fish.

Consider using live plants instead of fake ones in the aquarium. Live plants that belong in saltwater fish tanks provide oxygen for fish, nitrate removal, and shelter for the creatures in the tank. And because they are real they look better than so many of the fake plants that look like plastic.