Tips For Decorating Your Aquarium

Decorating or Aquascaping is one of the most enjoyable parts about owning an aquarium. Optimally you want to decorate the tank to suit both you and the residents of the tank. When decorating consider what kind of fish you are intending to add. Do they need a lot of vegetation to feel secure? Do they like to hide? Are you planning to get a school of bottom dwellers? Fish do suffer from stress, which can lead to disease or death. Fish that are uncomfortable or that feel insecure in their environment are going to be more prone to stress, therefore the more you try to accommodate the fish’s needs the happier and healthier the fish will be.

Basics

Before you put anything into your tank ensure that it is 100% safe. To avoid causing unnecessary problems do not put anything into a tank that is not specifically made for an aquarium. Rocks and wood pieces that you might find outside, may contain parasites, chemicals or other substances which may pollute your tank or even poison your fish. Clean everything before you put it into the tank, but never use any kind of chemicals when cleaning. Be sure to rinse everything very well, (including gravel) you want to get off all the dust and debris before adding it to the tank.

Many new aquarium owners do not realize how much a backdrop will add to the over effect of their tank. A backdrop is a great way to hide filters, heaters and cords that will detract from the overall appearance of a tank.. There are a variety of things that can used be used for an attractive backdrop. Paint, cardboard or plastic roll scenery which can purchased at a local pet store are some of the most popular choices.

Gravel

Gravel or substrate is another decorating factor which new aquarium owner often do fully understand. It serves both an aesthetic and a practical application. Gravel not only adds colour and depth to your tank, it also provides a lot of the area where the good bacteria in your tank will live.

When selecting your gravel there are two things that you really should consider. If you are intending to keep live plants in your tank you should use a substrate that will not only hold them in place but will meet their nutritional needs. In some case it is best to use a combination of substrates for keeping live plants. Also consider if there will be bottom dwellers in the tank. Many of these fish prefer a finer gravel or sand bottom.

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Plants

Plants are very important to many kinds of fish. Plastic plants are obviously much easier to care for but live plants will not only add a natural look to your tank they are also beneficial. Live plants add both shade and oxygen to the tank, as well as offering places for your fish to hide and feel secure. Beware, if you have a lot of fish in your tank that like to eat plants, or fish that are destructive, your plants might not last long. You might be better off choosing plastic plants.

Lights

Lights are very important to any tank. Most aquariums will come with a canopy that has a place to put in lights. When choosing lights for your tank you should consider whether or not you are going to keep live plants. You any need to add or change the type of bulb that you install.

Rocks

Rocks are a great addition to any tank. Be careful when putting them in the tank make sure they are not going to fall and damage or chip your tank. Also make certain that there are no sharp edges that could harm your fish.

Wood

Driftwood pieces can add a very dramatic and natural look to your tank. They can be purchased in a variety of sizes and colours, and many fish enjoy hiding in and around these pieces.

Do not add wood you find outside into your tank. It may have parasites or other things that will infect your tank. If you try to clean the wood you may have to use chemicals, and there is no guarantee that you will be able to remove all traces of the cleaner. Properly wood curing can be a time consuming effort therefore it is recommended that beginners stick to aquarium safe wood.

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Ornaments

Ornaments are a great addition to any tank. There is an enormous amount of choices available, just be certain that what ever you do select will be safe for the tank. Many decorations that are not specific to aquariums have toxic paints or glues in them. These could slowly seep into the tank polluting the water. The same thing applies to any decoration that has metal in it which may begin to rust and decay releasing toxins.

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