How to Decorate Freshwater Aquariums

Freshwater aquariums not only house pet fish, but can add a nice touch to any room in your home. You can decorate an aquarium in several different styles to suit your taste. Purchase aquarium decorations in the aquatic section of the local pet store. Set up your aquarium decorations before adding the water and fish.

Instructions

    • 1

      Decide on what kind of gravel you'd like at the bottom of the fish tank. You can use colorful gravel or find natural stones for a realistic look. Use enough gravel to cover at least the bottom inch of the fish tank. Gravel is not only decoration, but serves to help keep the tank clean.

    • 2

      Choose large rocks or pieces of wood to place on the gravel. You can often hide the heaters and filters in an aquarium by using larger tank decorations in front of them. Place these larger decorations toward the back of the tank so that you can see smaller decorations in the front.

    • 3

      Place some plants into the aquarium. Real plants will serve to keep an aquarium healthy as well as give your fish something to nibble on. Plastic plants work just as well as real for decoration and will still provide the fish with places to hide.

    • 4

      Buy some aquarium ornaments for the fish tank. This is where you can really personalize the decorations. You can find caves, jewels, coral reefs and even animated decorations made especially for fish tank decoration.

    • 5

      Use the gravel to secure decorations in place. Once you have everything where you want it, carefully add the water to the tank and then turn the air filter and heater on. Allow the tank to run for awhile before adding any fish.