How to Make an Aquarium Using Large Glass Vases

Fish vases are an unusual way to add interest to any room. Adding a fish to a vase also provides double tasking for vases. For best results, use a vase with a wide rim and made of clear glass. The best fish to use in vase aquariums are beta fish, because they are hardy and easy to replace. However, if properly maintained, your fish should last a year or more.

Things You'll Need

  • Large vase
  • Large aquarium rocks
  • Water plant
  • Plant tray that will fit in the neck of the vase
  • Large ribbon
  • Scissors
  • Dish soap
  • Hearty fish (such as a beta)
  • Dechlorinator
  • Fish net
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase a large vase with a mouth as wide as possible. The wider the mouth of the vase, the more oxygen that the fish can get, which makes the fish healthier.

    • 2

      Wash the vase inside and out with warm water and dish soap. Make sure to rinse the inside of the vase completely of all soap residue.

    • 3

      Cut a hole in the middle of a plant tray large enough to fit the roots of the plant through. If the tray is too large to fit snugly in the neck of the vase, cut it until it fits.

    • 4

      Rinse the aquarium rocks in cold water. Place a layer of rocks in the bottom of the vase about an inch deep.

    • 5

      Fill the vase with water to a level just below the neck line. Place some dechlorinator inside the water to remove the chlorine from the water.

    • 6

      Acclimate the fish to the temperature inside the vase. Allow the vase and fish to sit in the same spot for 15 minutes. Scoop some of the vase water inside the bag or container holding the fish. Allow to sit for another 15 minutes. Scoop the fish out of the water with the net and quickly dump him inside the vase.

    • 7

      Rinse any soil from the bottom of the plant roots. Slip the roots of the plant through the hole that you cut inside the middle of the plant tray. Place the tray inside the neck of the vase.

    • 8

      Layer the top of the plant tray with rocks to hide the top of the tray. Make sure to place as few rocks as possible to prevent the tray from falling inside the vase from the weight.

    • 9

      Tie a ribbon around the neck of the vase to hide the plant tray.

    • 10

      Change 50 percent of the vase water every day to keep the water clean. Feed the fish five times a week with pellets or flakes.