You have your dream tank set up with different aquarium fish, lighting, and ration systems. The water quality test kit is also on standby. It’s time to make the fish tank look more ornamental and aesthetic. So, how are you planning to decorate the aquarium? This is where a lot of aquarists get confused and don’t know how to decorate a fish aquarium. In this article, learn everything about fish tank decorations and how to transform your tank into a fish paradise.
Substrate
The first thing to add to an aquarium is the substrate, and put that in before any of the other decorations. Most substrates contain items like sand, gravel, and pebbles, and all are available in different colors and sizes. Consider the type of fish when picking the substrate for a tank. Some prefer to dig around their tank constantly, so sand is more acceptable for such fish.
The sand is smaller and lighter than gravel, when using a gravel vacuum to clean the substrate, the sand will easily be sucked in and blog the equipment. So you may need to empty a fish tank to clean the sand. But for a gravel substrate, a gravel vacuum might be enough for cleaning.
Plants
After adding that one substrate layer on the bottom of the tank, place plants in the right proportion. Decide whether you want live plants or artificial plants to decorate the tank and provide shelter for fish. The living types regulate pH and purify the water by removing waste products. The artificial plants are far more easy to maintain even for extra large fish aquarium decorations. These plants come in all types of unique, vibrant colors and can withstand water currents. Go with natural green plants for a relaxed feel or artificial to add beauty and charm to the tank.
Corals
Plants suitable for freshwater aquariums can’t be used in saltwater aquariums. So play it safe and use corals and algae to mimic the aquatic habitat. Synthetic fish tank coral decorations usually last longer than organic or natural ornaments. Also, since they don’t give off fresh oxygen like real plants, it’s easy to clean these corals overall. Unlike real plants, expert hobbyists love synthetic coral decorations because of their different shapes and sizes making a unique and attractive tank environment.
Also Check: 10 Best Types Of Corals For Reef Aquarium
Driftwood
Natural driftwood is one of the coolest fish tank decoration ideas to make the tank visually appealing. It makes the fish tank feel more like a natural habitat and provides a comfortable spot for fish to chill and hide. You can find driftwood in rivers, streams, or at a pet store, but we recommend just hitting up a pet store for it. Don’t forget to boil that driftwood before adding it to an aquarium. It helps cut down on the bacteria and tannins that come with it.
Background
A budget-friendly way to beautify the tank and give some depth is by adding a background. Whether choosing Vinyl inserts to DIY backgrounds, make sure it suits your tank sizes, styles, and needs. What about using an ocean picture or adding some 2D visual stuff? Another option is to keep it simple with a plain background to make the fish and decorations stand out. Plus, aquarium backgrounds help hide all that equipment, so the whole setup looks nice and tidy instead of messy and half-done.
Rocks and Stones
Get attractive rocks, stones, and pebbles that are perfect for uplifting the aquarium aesthetics. They’re also awesome for nature-themed tanks since they make the fish feel at home by looking like their natural environment.
Add rocks found in the wild as a food source for inside fish or invertebrates. It can also help stabilize pH and water hardness. But make sure to clean them first so that no unwanted critters find their way into the aquarium. Be aware, too, that certain types of rock can be rather sharp and hurt fish. Some types, like lace rock, must be avoided.
For reef aquariums, go with live rocks for natural filtration and healthy marine life. While some fish tank decorations rocks contain their own calcium, dissolved into the water, that will make it harder. Not totally a bad thing if the water inside the tank is soft. To check how much calcium is in rocks, use a liquid nitrate test kit meant for aquariums. These nitrate tests come with two bottles, usually marked bottle 1 and bottle 2. Bottle 1 has hydrochloric acid in it. Just drop a bit on a rock and if it starts bubbling up, that means the rock has calcium in it and will slowly let minerals mix into the water.
Ceramic Ornaments
Using ceramic ornaments in an aquarium has been somewhat a subject of debate, with some fish lovers saying it’s totally safe while others are completely opposed to the idea. Anyway, some ceramic decorations are nontoxic, while others contain poisonous metals that can break off the glaze and damage fish severely.
If it’s labeled ‘dinnerware safe,’ that is good to use. Basically, this means that its glaze was fired in such a way that stops chemicals from leaching when it becomes acidic. It’s always recommended to avoid non-dinnerware stuff since it does not come up to those standards.
Not sure if that ceramic ornament is safe? Then, mix some household acid like vinegar until it’s at a pH level like the most acidic an aquarium might get. An optimal pH of 5 should do the trick. Just dip the ornament, or at least a portion of it, in this solution and wait a month before checking it out again. Look at its glaze. If the glossy finish is worse, then something is leaking out, and that object isn’t safe to be used in the tank.
These would include plain/unglazed ceramics like terracotta. It does not risk leaks of chemicals. Flake off the sharp-edged ceramics and coat in a bead of aquatic silicone to avoid injuries.
How To Clean Aquarium Decorations?
Clean large aquarium decorations to prevent algae and dirt from spoiling the decor and making fish unhealthy. Gently take out decorations from the aquarium before cleaning and put them into a clean container. Rinse by using a sieve and running tap water for substrates like gravel or sand.
Using a toothbrush can scrub away algae buildup or algae to clean rocks and stones but harsh chemicals are not allowed. Use warm water to soak the driftwood to release tannins that prevent water from discoloration. Clean artificial plants and ceramics by soaking them in a mixture of mild salt water or vinegar water, then give them a good rinse.
For corals and natural decorations, gently scrub them with a soft-bristled toothbrush to not mess up their surfaces. When cleaning the background, use a damp cloth and ensure there’s no soap residue left behind. These steps keep an aquarium clean and safe, giving fresh and visually appealing environments for fish and plants. Maintenance should be done regularly every 2-3 weeks to make cleaning easier.
Conclusion
After placing fish tank decorations perfectly and admiring your hard work, it’s time to add fish and other aquatic creatures to their new home. Sit back and watch as they swim around playing and hiding in the decor you have added. EMA provides the most attractive and long-lasting aquarium decorations that promote natural fish behavior. Check out our collection of ornaments and fish tank accessories kit to get some cool inspiration and ideas for decorating a tank.
