Setup Ideas for Fish Aquariums

Aquarium fish come from all corners of the globe and all types of environments---from marine reefs, to the massive lakes of east Africa, to the slow-flowing rivers of the Amazon. Though pet fish can survive in clean water and a bare tank, they live healthier and longer lives in aquarium setups that mimic their natural environments. The ideas you can use to create a home fish aquarium are limited only by your imagination and budget.

  1. Rocky Tanks

    • Lakes Nyasa, Tanganyika and Victoria in east Africa are home to colorful, hardy fish known as cichlids. These lakes are steep and rocky, with sandy bottoms. Recreate this look in the home aquarium with black or pale sand and rocks in different shapes and sizes built up to create small caves and ledges. Aquarium-safe silicone glue can help hold the rock formations together.

    Planted Tanks

    • Angelfish, neon tetras and hatchetfish are among the species native to the Amazon region. A tank setup for these fish can include fine gravel on the tank bottom, live aquarium plants and several pieces of driftwood. Live plants require strong lighting to grow well; a rule of thumb is two to three watts of light per gallon.

    Brackish Tanks

    • Brackish water environments occur in nature when seawater and fresh water mix. Guppies, swordtails and mollies are among the fish that do well in the slightly salty water of a brackish aquarium. A mix of sand and fine gravel on the tank bottom matches the natural look of a brackish river, along with twisty driftwood and round rocks.

    Marine Tanks

    • Recreating an ocean environment is challenging in a home aquarium. The tanks require frequent monitoring to make sure the water quality, salt levels and pH are in a healthy range for the fish. Clownfish, damselfish and triggerfish are only a few of the many species that can live in a home saltwater aquarium. Advanced hobbyists can keep live coral and other marine species such as sea anemones.