Aquascaping Tips

Setting up your own home aquarium is a great way to bring the beauty of the aquatic world into your home, but it is important to set up that tank the right way. The right aquascaping can make your aquarium more beautiful and dramatic, while choosing the wrong plants and other decorations could leave your new tank looking tacky or incomplete.

  1. Create a Natural Environment

    • The first rule of aquascaping is to use those plants, rocks and other decorations to create a natural environment for your fishy friends. In the wild, every species of fish lives in a specific environment, and it is there that those fish will be most comfortable. Using plants, rocks and other accents to recreate their natural environment will promote good health in your fish and allow them to show off their natural coloring. A healthy fish is an attractive fish, so be sure to create a healthy environment for your new pets.

      Many cichlids, for instance, prefer to have lots of rocks, caves and hiding places. When setting up a cichlid tank, it is a good idea to place rocks around the tank's bottom. These natural hiding places will promote natural behaviors in these special fish, including the fascinating spawning behaviors of the mouth brooders.

    Consider the Colors of Your Fish When Choosing Plants

    • Color is always an important consideration when setting up a new aquarium or redecorating an old one. When choosing your plants and other decorations, consider the colors of the fish that call the tank home. For instance, a tank full of bright red rosy barbs will look wonderful with a tank full of light green plants, while a tank filled with white angelfish would be beautifully accented with an assortment of dark green plants. By taking a good look at the colors of your fish, you can get a good idea which plant colors will look the best in your tank.

    Choose a Combination of Real and Artificial Plants

    • While many aquarium purists look down their noses at plastic plants, these artificial decorations have a place in a beautifully aquascaped fish tank. Artificial plants are a great way to get your tank off to a good start, helping it look beautiful while your natural plants are still growing. Mixing artificial plants with real ones is a great way to enjoy the best of both worlds.

      When choosing real plants for your aquarium, it is generally best to choose small specimens and allow them to grow. Not only will you save yourself some money, but you will get to enjoy watching your plants grow and thrive. Be sure to check any live plants you buy for snails and other parasites before putting them in your tank. Even a few snails can multiply rapidly, quickly taking over your beautiful tank. Also, be aware that some species of fish will nip at or even eat your plants, so keep a close eye on your natural plants to keep them safe.