How to Make Fishtank Decorations

A fish in a barren aquarium may be able to survive, but it will rarely thrive. Captive fish require captivating environments in order to reduce stress levels, and an unstressed fish is more active and less vulnerable to disease. Decorations can be used to form caves or hiding places for fish or to obscure aquarium equipment from human view for aesthetic purposes. As long as potentially harmful substances such as water-soluble paints and minerals are avoided, aquarium decorations can be made out of almost anything.

Things You'll Need

  • Nonporous rock
  • Vinegar
  • Water
  • Pot
  • Scrubbing brush
  • Aquarium-safe silicone adhesive
  • Untreated wood
  • High pressure hose
  • Activated charcoal filter
  • Scissors
  • Cardboard
  • Photos or drawings
  • Tape
  • Thin plastic sheets
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Instructions

  1. Testing and Preparing Rocks for Aquariums

    • 1

      Select a piece of nonporous rock that has at least one relatively flat surface -- avoid any rocks made of shale or pyrite. Examine the rock and discard it if there are significant cracks or sharp edges. Discard the rock if patches of rust are found on the surface. Avoid rocks found downriver of factories or treatment plants.

    • 2

      Apply several drops of plain vinegar to a rock -- discard the rock if it fizzes. Rinse the rock with cool water if it does not fizz and scrub away any debris adhered to the surface with a stiff brush. Place the rock in a bucket of water overnight and scrub it again -- discard the rock if the rock is too sharp or crumbles under the brush.

    • 3

      Wash the rock by pouring boiling water over it several times -- do not boil the rock directly as it may burst.

    • 4

      Use an aquarium-safe silicone adhesive to attach prepared rocks to each other -- avoid using glues or other solvent-based adhesives. Use the rocks to form caves or hollows to provide additional shelter for fish. Allow the adhesive at least 24 hours to dry.

    • 5

      Attach the connected rocks directly to the bottom of the aquarium. Drain the aquarium completely and allow it to dry. Use the silicone adhesive to bond the base of the rock structure to the tank bottom. Allow the adhesive at least 24 hours to set before adding water.

    Testing and Preparing Wood for Aquariums

    • 6

      Select a piece of untreated wood with no traces of rotting or insect activity within the wood. Remove any bark and insects that are on the wood.

    • 7

      Rinse the wood with a high pressure hose and use a scrubbing brush to remove any soil or moss.

    • 8

      Treat the wood to remove tannin before putting it in an aquarium. Boil small pieces of wood for several hours. Submerge larger pieces in a bathtub for at least one week while changing the water several times a day.

    • 9

      Submerge the wood in water until it no longer floats. Place the wood in the aquarium as you wish. Use a filter containing activated charcoal if the aquarium water becomes discolored.

    Aquarium Backgrounds

    • 10

      Use scissors or a knife to cut pieces of plain cardboard to fit the back and sides of your aquarium.

    • 11

      Attach photos or drawings to the background or paint it any way that you wish -- the fish benefit from having their view of the room obscured and do not care about the exact aesthetics of the background.

    • 12

      Tape the background firmly in place around the back and sides of the outside of the tank. Tape thin plastic sheets over the backs of the background pieces to protect them from water damage.

    General Aesthetic Options

    • 13

      Use decorations to hide aquarium equipment from casual view. Ensure that the openings of filters and aerators are not obstructed.

    • 14

      Root live plants near the corners of artificial decorations or angular rocks to hide unsightly edges. Keep species of plants together if multiple species are used.

    • 15

      Place any decorations and plants before introducing fish to the tank to avoid stressing them. Wash your hands before and after reaching into the tank water.

    • 16

      Allow the decorated tank to sit uninhabited for at least a week and then use a water testing kit to check pH levels and pollutant levels. Remove any decorations that may be negatively influencing the water and then use chemicals to treat the water. Introduce fish after the water has been stable for a week.