Aquarium Decoration Tips

An aquarium is not just a habitat for fish, it can also be a work of art. It is up to you to decide what type of artwork you will design. Consider what will fit into your home decor as well as any special needs your fish may have.

  1. Start with a Theme

    • One option is to start with the theme from an aquatic related movie such as "Finding Nemo" or "The Little Mermaid." Aquarium decorations with this theme are widely available, and it is even possible to find branded fish tanks. These are very popular which children, but your child may outgrow the style before the fish outgrow their tank. Another option is to choose a less specific genre such as pirates, shipwrecks or Atlantis. These motifs are easy to create using commonly available decorations. They are not terribly original themes, but sticking to one style will unify the look of your tank.

    Classic Tacky

    • The popularity of tacky aquarium decor is obvious from the briefest visit to the pet store. Rather than destroy the look of your tank with a few tacky signs, why not make tacky the look of your tank? Start from the gravel up with a bold blend of florescent pink, blue, and purple rocks. Add some silly signs like "No Fishing"or "Beware the Shark." Throw in some motion ornaments such as a treasure chest that opens and closes or a moving diver. Once you have the air pump set up, you can add a bunch of air stones and bubble curtains just to give your tank a silly look. They will not bother most fish and provide valuable aeration to the tank.

    Planted Aquarium

    • The planted aquarium is the most work to set up, but it can reduce your workload down the line. Plants take in fish waste as fertilizer and clean up your tank in the process. They can also provide places for shy or baby fish to hide. In the case of shy fish, this will reduce their stress levels and make them healthier fish, while it can increase the odds of survival for baby fish. A planted tank can be set up quite simply with a few Java ferns and some Java moss. If you want to get more elaborate, add high-powered lights and a CO2 system in order to optimize plant growth.

    Natural, Non-Planted Tank

    • Some fish, such as Tanganyikan shell dwellers, prefer to have tanks without plants. Instead, they like to have shells and a soft sand substrate. Other cichlids from Lake Malawi prefer to have a tank with a rock substrate. By recreating their natural habitat, you will make your fish happier, and thus healthier. Make sure that all shells, rocks and sand are designed for the aquarium. A rock from your backyard could have fertilizer residue or be at an unsafe pH for your fish.