Things You'll Need
- Fish tank
- Rocks
- Tank terrace shelf
- Real or artificial plants
Instructions
Start by taking a close look at your fish tank and its inhabitants. Many fish, cichlids in particular, love to have rocks and caves in which to hide. If you have fish that are naturally shy, building a series of caves into the wall you create can help them feel more at ease. This, in turn, can decrease the chances of stress-related illnesses.
Assemble the items you will need, starting with several larger rocks. It is best to buy aquarium-safe rocks at your pet store, rather than simply pulling rocks out of your garden or your backyard. That's because the rocks at the pet store have been thoroughly washed and have had all potential contaminants removed.
Remove the tank terrace from the box and use the suction cups to attach it firmly to the back of the tank. Penn Plax makes a number of tank terrace models, including corner pieces and multilayered designs, so you can get as fancy as you like.
Cover the top of the tank terrace with large gravel or pebbles to make the terrace look more natural. You can choose either pebbles the same color as the terrace or lighter-colored stones. After those stones are in place, pile your rocks in front of the tank terrace. When placing the rocks in your fish tank, be sure to leave a few gaps. This will create a series of natural caves that your fish can use as hiding places. After those caves have been created you can add real or artificial plants to your design. These plants will provide additional hiding places while enhancing the beauty of your aquarium.