DIY Aquarium Decorations

Driftwood can make a great aquarium decoration.

Aquariums or fish tanks make a beautiful and peaceful addition to any home or office. The inside of the aquarium can become a changing showcase of decorations and plants. Some decorations can be homemade without harming fish or live plants.

Preparation

Found items like granite chunks or driftwood make great decorations. Break them into pieces small enough for the aquarium and sterilize them by soaking them in a bucket of water for a week or two or boiling them in a pot for one to two hours.

Alternative

PVC pipe, cut into small pieces, makes a great hiding place for fish. Algae can grow on the pipe to give it a more natural look. Make a little cave by placing aquarium adhesive on the pipe and then rolling it in aquarium gravel.

Warnings

Do not take gravel, sand or plants from lakes, creeks or rivers, even if the water is healthy enough for aquarium fish. Fish living in the wild may need these items in order to spawn and to serve as hiding places for the newly hatched fry, according to "Tropical Fishlopaedia."

References

• Pet Education: How to Prepare, Cure and Place Driftwood in Your Freshwater Aquarium
• Aquarium Life: Make Your Own DIY Aquarium Cave From PVC Pipe
• "Tropical Fishlopaedia": Mary Bailey and Peter Burgess; 2000

Resources

• Aqua Community: Safe Rock and Wood Aquascaping
• Fish Channel
• The First Tank Guide