How to Create Natural Systems in Freshwater Aquariums

Setting up an aquarium allows you to bring the beauty of nature into your home. When you choose a number of natural-looking plants and supplies for your tank, you can create an aquarium that faithfully recreates the environment your fish would find themselves in. Ideally a freshwater aquarium should be a recreation of the natural streams, rivers, ponds and other bodies of water these fish call home. Learning as much as you can about the fish you plan to keep is one of the best ways to create this natural environment.

Things You'll Need

  • Shallow bowl
  • Filter
  • Gravel
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose an in-tank filter designed to look like a plant or a rock. These in-tank filters are a good choice for natural looking aquariums. If you cannot find one of those filters, you can choose a corner filter and hide it with plant and other decorations. You can also use a power filter and hide the intake tubes with tall aquarium plants.

    • 2

      Place an undergravel filter on the bottom of the aquarium, making sure that the bottom of the filter covers the entire bottom surface of the tank. Cover the undergravel filter with two to three inches of gravel.

    • 3

      Place either real or artificial plants in the gravel so that they are anchored down. Use tall plant for the background of the tank and to hide uptake tubes and other items in the aquarium. Use a medium-sized plant in the center of the tank and shorter plants in the foreground.

    • 4

      Set the filter in a suitable spot within the aquarium. The back corner of the tank works well, since it allow you to disguise those items effectively with plants and other decorations.

    • 5

      Place a large shallow bowl in the middle of the tank, being careful not to disturb the plants and other decorations. Pour water into the bowl slowly and continue to fill the tank. Continue pouring water into the aquarium until it is full.