How to Make Aquarium Ornaments

Whether you have an aquarium full of fish, reptiles or plants, placing ornaments and decorations in the aquarium can make all the difference in appearance. Aquarium ornaments can provide shelter and a natural habitat for your pets, as well as providing a pleasant aesthetic. There are many ways to decorate an aquarium, but there are some basic supplies you must use.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium Boiling water Rocks or wood (natural materials) Gravel or desired material for the bottom of the aquarium Craft materials/figures Real or fake plants Aquarium silicone Background picture Computer and printer PVC pipes or ceramic flowerpots Gloves (optional)
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Instructions

  1. How to Make Aquarium Ornaments

    • 1

      Cover the bottom of the aquarium with a natural material. Rock bits, stone pellets, wood chips, sand, seaglass, marbles or plastic gems are all popular for fish and reptile tanks. Note that wood chips are not safe in an aquarium, and each species of reptile has its own needs for substrate. You can create your own rock bits or wood chips by crushing pieces of rock or wood up at home. Or, these can be purchased in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes at pet or craft stores.

    • 2

      Provide a natural scene and coverage in the aquarium with natural elements. Search for small, medium and large-sized rocks or coral to place on the bottom of the aquarium in various places.The best types of rock to use are quartz, granite or basalt. These are safe around pets. Clean the rocks before you add them to the aquarium by boiling the pieces in water and wiping them down. Or use wood, various sizes of driftwood from a beach, hollow logs and branches (in smaller versions), chunks of wood or twigs. You can find many of these materials around you yard or neighborhood, depending upon where you live.

    • 3

      Add ornaments to the aquarium instead of rocks and wood pieces, if you desire. They are usually made out of resin, ceramic or glass. These are safe materials for pets. Make your own with a specialized kit that comes with a mold and the necessary materials or purchase them from a variety of stores. Common figures include treasure chests, pirate ships, sunken barrels, scattered jewelry, mermaids, scuba divers, skeletons or other objects. These can add color and create a varied environment.

    • 4

      Grow plants in the aquarium. Plants add coverage and shelter to make your fish more comfortable in their environment. Grow different underwater plants in a fish aquarium, or use the aquarium to make a terrarium. You will most likely have to purchase these from a pet or home store, but you can also use fake ones for less maintenance. To attach a fake plant to the bottom of the aquarium, combine a small piece of the gravel on the bottom of the aquarium with some aquarium silicone purchased from a pet store. Create a small mound of gravel, add the silicone, attach the fake plant, and allow to dry for several days before placing it in your aquarium.

    • 5

      Create an artistic twist to the back wall of your aquarium. Find background pictures of marine life or jungle images on your computer or on the Internet. Print the pictures out and paste each of the four corners to the outside of the back of the aquarium. This adds the illusion of depth to the aquarium and will showcase your fish or reptiles.

    • 6

      Place a mini "cave" in the aquarium to provide shelter and exploration. Use a small saw to cut a PVC pipe in half, or cut a ceramic flower pot in half lengthwise. Paint the pot with pet-safe paint in a color that blends in with the aquarium, and add gravel or moss to the top if desired. Place in fish tank.