Decorating Your New Aquarium

Tropical Fish Tank Decor—-Creating Homes for Your Tropical Freshwater Fish

Now that you have selected your tank, it is time to decorate it!   Tropical fish tank decorations are not only beautiful to look at they also have an important purpose. They provide fishes with homes—- hiding places and natural borders resembling their natural habitat. There are many different types of decorations, for instance Cave dwelling fishes love aquarium decorations that structure like caves, holes and crevices. Whereas Fishes that live in dense vegetation prefer plants and other types of tiny hiding places. Decorations are crucial for a happy and healthy aquarium they also keep fishes from getting bored.

Plants:

Plants are a beautiful addition to your tropical fish tank.  Tropical fish love aquatic plants as they are part of their natural habitats.  They come in all varieties, costing anywhere from a few bucks to hundreds. Plants are very useful as well; they bind carbon dioxide and oxygenate the water. They also use organic waste products as nutrition and remove potentially harmful compounds from the water. Plants can also be used to keep a check on the water quality of an aquarium; the plant will start dying before the fish if the water suddenly becomes toxic.

Wood, Rock and Coral:

Stones and rocks make excellent decorations. One caution; you should never use rocks that affect your water’s pH levels or stones that might contain toxins. Fake rocks that resemble real rocks are available, but are more costly. Tropical fish like rocks and driftwood as they create caves similar to that of their national habitat.  While coral are certainly beautiful, they can be dangerous to fresh water fish tank.

Gravel or sand:

The most popular addition to a fish tank, both come in a variety of colors and are frequently layered for a multi-colored effect.

Glass marbles, Ceramics:

Glass marbles and ceramics are attractive additions to a tropical fish tank.  But beware, ceramics tend to grow algae that might be hard to clean. Plastics are an inexpensive addition to your fish tank.  You will recognize them as the treasure chests, skulls, divers, pirates, plants and ships.

Have fun decorating your tropical fish tank.  You are creating an environment that both you AND your fish will enjoy!