Aquarium Decorations
Decorations. These can range from natural items that bring the outdoors in to your tank or that gaudy plastic stuff that will make you either smile or cringe!
This article introduces you to aquarium decorations. We'll first cover what is included in aquarium decorations and go over most types of them (divided between freshwater aquarium decorations and saltwater decorations). Then we'll foray into the pros and cons of whether to go with manufactured decorations or stick with organic decorations. Finally, we'll leave you with tips on decorating your tank and a list of online sources for you.
What are Aquarium Decorations?
Broadly defined, decorations include both manufactured (fake) and organic (living or was living at one time) decorations, used in both saltwater and freshwater environments. Aquarium decorations include both the substrate and backgrounds used with tanks. Usually, you'll find that people will use more decorations in fresh water or saltwater tanks that are FO or FOWLR. That's because with reef tanks, you wouldn't need any additional decoration. Before you decide you don't need decorations at all, (since the fish should be decorative enough), consider this:
- Many fish use what we call decorations for shelter.
- Live rock, while decorative, are invaluable in terms of the natural bioorganic filtering that they provide. Live rock isn't actually living rock, but rock that is teeming with bacteria and other microorganisms as well as macro-organisms that help clean the water.
Freshwater Aquarium Decorations
For freshwater aquariums, you have your choice of manufactured decorations plus organic decorations (both dead and living). Here is a list to show you want is available:
- Manufactured decorations:
- fake plants (plastic or silk)
- fake rocks (plastic or ceramic)
- fake wood (plastic or ceramic)
- novelty items (plastic or ceramic castles, divers, etc.)
- Organic (dead):
- Driftwood
- Real rocks
- Substrates (gravel, beach sand, river sand, coral sand, and peat are popular choices)
- Organic (living)
- Live plants
Saltwater Aquarium Decorations
For saltwater aquariums, you have your choice of manufactured decorations plus organic decorations (both dead and living). Here is a list to show you want is available:
- Manufactured decorations
- Rubber / synthetic coral
- novelty items (scuba diver, shells, pirate, mermaid, etc.)
- Organic (dead)
- Dead coral
- Real shells
- Organic (living)
- Live corals
- Live algae
PROS & CONS for Manufactured Decorations
Here are the pros and cons to using manufactured decorations for your aquarium. Pros for using manufactured decorations include:
- Fake decorations are long lasting. They won't rot.
- Fake decorations are easier to clean than living decorations.
- With fake decorations, you're not interfering with nature since you're not taking from the environment.
- With fake decorations, there's one less living thing you need to worry about in your tank.
- You'll have more choices as far as colors and sizes if you go with fake decorations.
- Fake decorations can be fun. It all depends on your personal sense of style.
- Fake decorations should not affect tank chemistry (You should always confirm what they are made out of).
Here are the cons to using manufactured decorations:
- Fake decorations can look cheesy.
- Fake decorations often do look cheesy.
- Depending on what you're getting, some fake decorations (manufactured corals or rocks) could actually be more expensive than the real thing!
PROS & CONS for Organic Decorations (Dead)
Here are the pros and cons to using organic (but dead) decorations for your aquarium. Pros for using organic (but dead) decorations include:
- Organic (but dead) decorations will be more realistic. Therefore, the end result will be less cheesy for your tank.
Here are the cons to using organic (but dead) decorations:
- Organic decorations can occasionally affect tank in minor ways (e.g., driftwood can make water more acidic over time). This is not usually a problem but should be monitored. You definitely should not put driftwood into a saltwater tank.
- You'll need to be careful that organic rocks are okay for your tank. Some rocks are inappropriate for freshwater or saltwater tanks. They will leech off harmful minerals. For example, limestone will raise the pH of the tank. Slate, volcanic rock and quartz are completely inert. Both Volcanic rock and quartz can be sharp-edged so watch out. Sandstone should be okay to use as well.
- You'll need to be careful that the natural decorations are safe for the fish. Look for sharp edges.
- If you have your heart set on a particular look, you may find it harder to pull it off with natural decorations since you're limited to what you can get your hands on. If you go with manufactured items, chances are if you can't find it, you should be able to find somebody who can make it for you.
PROS & CONS for Organic Decorations (Living)
Here are the pros and cons to using organic (but dead) decorations for your aquarium. Pros for using organic (living) decorations include:
- Living organic decorations will provide you with the most realistic and possibly interesting results.
Here are the cons to using organic (living) decorations:
- Keeping real organic decorations can be an expensive venture. You'll need to replace them when they reach their natural life span.
- Natural organic decorations are harder to care for. When they die, if you don't keep tabs on them, they can really make problems for your tank (anywhere from just making it incredibly dirty to actually releasing dangerous toxins into the water).
- Your fish may consume them!
- In an interesting twist, you may find your decorating plans compromised by natural choices. Selection may be limited in terms of natural colors and sizes.
Tips for Decorating Your Tank like a Pro
The key to decorating your tank so that it looks professionally designed is to have a plan. Consider first what look you're going for. You can either pick a theme or decide to go eclectic. Decide what types of decorations you want to use. Figure out how much space you have in your tank for your decorations.
Consider getting some kind of background for your tank. This can be a picture, or just a color such as a graded blue or a simple black. It will help hide equipment you may have in the back and keep anything else in the background hidden from your view. A background often makes the difference between a professional look and an amateur at work.
There are some great books out there that can help you decorate your own tank. Here are my favorites:
- Aquarium Style by Matthew Christian. Published in 2000, list price $24.95. Great ideas!
- Aquarium Designs: Inspired by Nature by Peter Hiscock. Published in 2004, list price $27.95. Peter Hiscock KNOWS his plants.
One last thought I'd like to leave you with is that you don't have to go with ONLY real decorations or manufactured decorations. I have seen plenty of tanks that have successfully combined real (living), organic (but dead), and manufactured (some made to look real but many were not) decorative elements that made for great tanks.
Online Sources for Aquarium Decorations
Go online for some great stuff:
- http://www.123aquariumsupplies.com/products2000.htm offers both corals (dead) and rocks for your tank
- http://liverocks.com/cart.html and http://reeferrocks.com provide live rock from the Florida Keys.
- http://www.aquariumbeauty.com has many manufactured decorations including fake corals, castles, and Oriental architectures.
Read Related Freshwater Aquarium Articles
- All About Tropical Fish Tanks
- An overview of tropical fish tanks, what they are, and the pros/cons of keeping one.
- Planted Aquariums
- An overview of the different styles of planted aquariums. Different types of plants you could use. Popular plants.
- Choosing a Planted Aquarium Substrate
- Learn about the factors you should consider when choosing a substrate for your planted aquarium.
- Setting up a Freshwater Fish Tank
- Information on choosing a fish tank and how to set-one up!
- Choosing a Freshwater Aquarium Substrate
- Learn about the factors you should consider when choosing a substrate for your freshwater aquarium.
- Choosing the Right Filtration System for Your Aquarium
- Learn about the different types of filters for your freshwater aquarium.
- Properly Aerating Your Aquarium
- Learn the basics of aeration and how to properly aerate your aquarium.
- Adding Rocks and Wood to Your Freshwater Aquarium
- Learn about the things you should consider when adding rocks and wood to your aquarium.
- Heating Your Freshwater Aquarium
- Learn about different heater options for your fish tank.
- The Process of Cycling a Fish Tank
- What is "cycling" your fish tank? Why is it important? Instructions for how to do-it.
- Freshwater Fishless Cycling
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- What Are Good Freshwater Fish For Beginners
- What makes a freshwater fish a good candidate for beginners?
- Stocking Fresh Water Fish Tanks
- Learn how to select the right quantity and combination of fish for your freshwater aquarium.
- Acclimating Fish - Drip Method
- Learn how to properly acclimate your fish to your aquarium using the drip method.
- Properly Maintaining the pH in a Freshwater Aquarium
- Learn how about pH and how to properly maintain it in a freshwater aquarium.
- The Natural Environments of African and South American Cichlids
- Learn about and how to recreate the natural environments of African and South American Cichlids
- Cichlid Aggression - How to Reduce Aggression
- Learn about the causes of cichlid aggression and methods for reducing it.
- Common Freshwater Tropical Fish Diseases
- Learn about common fish illnesses and how to effectively treat them.
- Breeding Freshwater Fish
- Learn how to succesfully breed freshwater fish.
- Breeding Mouth Brooding African Cichlids
- Learn how to succesfully breed mouth brooding African Cichlids.
- Controlling Algae Growth
- Learn why algae grows in your tank and how to control it.
- Using Carbon in a Freshwater Aquarium
- Learn about the differing points of view and guidelines on using carbon in your aquarium.
- Fish Tank Maintenance and Cleaning
- Tips and instructions for maintaining a healthy fish tank.
- Choosing and Conditioning the Water in Your Aquarium
- Learn about how to properly choose and condition the water you use in your freshwater aquarium.
- Water Testing in Your Freshwater Aquarium
- How to test your aquarium's water, and what to look for.
- Keeping Goldfish
- Advice on keeping Goldfish.
- Fish Bowls
- An overview of keeping fish in a fish bowl. A brief history. Pros and cons.
- Wall Mounted Fish Tanks
- Advantages and disadvantages to a Wall Mounted Fish Tank. Installation. Accessories.
- Freshwater Fish Article Database
- Articles on dozens of different freshwater fish and appropriate care.
- Freshwater Plant Article Database
- Articles on different freshwater plants and appropriate care. Article Categories:
- Recommended Books (6 articles)
- General Aquarium Articles (4 articles)
- Saltwater Aquarium Articles (22 articles)
- Miscellaneous Aquarium Articles (10 articles)
- Product Reviews (Freshwater) (2 articles)
- Product Review (Saltwater) (1 article)
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