How to Decorate Your Fish Tank

So you're fish tank is pretty plain. What to put into it to make it look good.
Here are some tips on decorating your tank....

Things You'll Need

  • colorful aquarium gravel or stones. Marbles and colored glass work well too.
  • plastic aquarium safe plants
  • aquarium safe decorations eg...signs, ships, logs etc...
  • aquarium background
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Instructions

    • 1

      If fish are already in the tank remove the fish to a bucket of tank water. Remove all water from tank, keeping about 1/2 the water to re-fill tank with (along with fresh treated or seasoned water). If replacing gravel also remove all "old" gravel.

    • 2

      Once you have an empty tank or if starting with a new tank wash tank with warm water. Do NOT use any type of soap. Vinegar may be used on used tank to remove algae or hard water/salt deposits. If vinegar is used rinse well (until pickle smell is gone).

    • 3

      Wash new gravel, stones, marbles, glass to remove any dust or dirt from the packaging process. Also wash all decorations or plants to be used in tank. Again do not use soap or any other chemicals. Only plain warm water and maybe vinegar (if re-using old items). For live plants a solution of 5% bleach (followed by a soaking in water with dechlorinator) is recommended by some fish keepers.

    • 4

      Once new substrate (gravel, stones etc..) is washed gently place in bottom of aquarium/tank. Spread substrate across floor of tank sloping from front to back (higher at back). Leave some places higher than others if so desired. Place small plate or dish into tank and fill tank 1/2 full with water using the plate/dish as a place to pour the water in so as not to ruin the gravel sculpting.

    • 5

      Add plants and decorations to make a pleasing arrangement, taking care to leave room for the fish to be able to swim. Let your imagination roam. The bigger the tank the more options you have with decorating it. Be sure to firmly anchor plants in gravel. Add background to tank back and tape at the sides.

    • 6

      Finish filling tank with water, install filters, pumps and heater (if used) and plug in and turn on all devices. Once heater is determined to be functioning correctly add fish to tank if they were previously in tank. If tank is new let run for at least 24 hours before adding fish.