How to Decorate Your Fish Tank

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By amberdawn
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How to Decorate Your Fish Tank

Do you have fish, or plan to get some? Learning how to decorate your fish tank increases the beauty of your room, as well as provides stimulation for fish. Having a few fish aquarium supplies can simulate their natural environment in a way that an empty tank just doesn't. In addition, your fish tank décor can be an extension of the décor in your room. So if you'd like to learn how to decorate your fish tank read on!

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Fishtank
Hood with light
Fish
Gravel
Background
Plants (fake or real)
Accessories

Step 1

Select gravel. Gravel is one of the most important fish aquarium supplies so that the fishes' waste and excess food don't end up floating where they swim. Additionally, when choosing gravel to decorate your fish tank select a color that complements the color palette of the room where your fish tank is in. Use natural looking gravel for a traditional style room, or fluorescent colors so your fish tank décor coordinates with a modern home.
Step 2

Choose plants. Fake plants are available even in fish aquarium supplies sections of shopping centers. The fish will like to "hide" in from time to time. Or use live plants that decorate your fish tank, help purify the water and provide food for fish. I used to worry about fish eating the plants and I'd have to replace them often, but actually, the plants keep growing back! When selecting plants, choose varying heights and leaf shapes. This gives your aquarium depth and dimension. Put taller plants in back, and smaller plants in front. I'd use 2 or 3 varieties, depending on the tank's size. Buy at least 2 of each plant to create a balanced look for you fish tank décor.
Step 3

Select a background. Backgrounds available at most fish aquarium supplies stores are simply on rolls, like wallpaper. They come in standard heights, just cut the length you need to decorate your fish tank. These are traditionally underwater background scenes, typically in blue. However if you want your fish tank décor to match the décor in a room that has warm or neutral tones, I recommend you look for a background with mostly brown rocks.
Step 4

Add accessories. For whimsical tanks, a "deep sea diver" or "No fishing" sign are popular fish aquarium supplies. For traditional style fish tank décor, there are beautiful varieties of rock that you can select, Greek columns, or castles. Like with the plants, pay attention to the height and size of your accessories when you decorate your fish tank to create a balanced look.
Step 5

Add a light. I skipped this step when I set up my first fish tank and wondered "Why doesn't this look as nice as Dad's?" The answer, I realized, was it was too dark to really see! Select a hood/cover for your tank that is the correct size to fit. Ask at your local pet supplies store for help after you bring measurements of your tank.
Step 6

Don't forget the fish! If you already have fish, you're set. But the best way to decorate your fish tank is to add the fish LAST. Any time you introduce new fish aquarium supplies to tanks you risk causing stress to the fish, or introducing germs and diseases to the water. Plus from a decorative standpoint, the fish are the ultimate decoration for your tank. Again, choose varying sizes, shapes, and colors of fish that you enjoy. Just check with the salesmen about how many of each fish they recommend, which varieties live together in harmony, what area of the tank (top, middle, or bottom) they inhabit, and the number of fish your tank's size can handle. Good luck with your fish tank decor!

Comments

static404 said

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on 10/24/2009 Wow...you have it all covered here on how to decorate your fish tank. I love using live plants...and your idea of varying the size and heigth is awesome.