How To Pick The Perfect Aquarium Decorations!
If you've recently started a freshwater aquarium which is filled with tropical fish, you may want to accent it with quality decorations. After all, with the bright and vibrant colors of your different fish species, you don't want the backdrop to be faded or boring! Yet, there are many aquarium decorations to choose from on the market today, and how can you know which ones are best? An excellent approach is to ensure they are appropriate for your fish, and also pleasing to the eye. To help you in this endeavor, we'll take a closer look at the various types currently offered below.
Why Decorate?
At this point you may be asking do you even need decorations? You've already added beautiful fish, and you may think that is enough. Yet, decorations are not just visually appealing, they can serve another purpose as well. Your fish will often use these decorations for shelter, giving them somewhere to feel protected and safe. The lower their stress level, the healthier they will be, so this is a key advantage. Secondly, some types of decorations such as rocks, can aid in the filtration of your tank. How can they do this? Beneficial bacteria actually live within their surface imperfections, and these work to cleanse the aquatic environment of harmful pollutants.
Available Options
Now that we've established how beneficial aquarium decorations can be, let's take a look at what types you can buy. You can select artificial options, or choose natural ones instead. Man-made decorations include artificial rocks, plants, wood and specialty items like castles or treasure chests. When selecting a natural product instead, you'll have to decide whether you want one which is living or dead. An example of a living aquarium decoration would be real plants. For dead decorations, actual rocks, real driftwood or natural substrates like sand or gravel are common.
Which Aquarium Decorations Are Right For You?
With all of these available choices, which one should you purchase for your tank? This can depend upon a number of factors. To help you in the decision process, let's examine the benefits and drawbacks of each category. First, the positive side of using natural decorations which are not alive, is their realistic look. Rather than having an obvious reproduction made from something like plastic, the real item will give your tank a more authentic feel. This benefit can make these worth the extra hassle associated with them. These decorations can sometimes cause problems, such as driftwood affecting the pH balance of your tank.
Also, if you decide to pick a natural substrate, be careful to check it out beforehand. Some types of rocks will release minerals which can do damage to your fish. A good option is a rock like sandstone, slate or quartz as these don't have this dangerous property. Further, unlike man-made decorations, natural ones can have exposed edges which could harm your fish. Finally, artificial options are more diverse, giving you a greater ability to customize your tank.
With all of these extra precautions, you may be interested in artificial decorations instead. What are the benefits of this type of accessory? Well, first off they are highly durable, and will last for years. This means you won't have to spend money again, and the upfront cost is the only consideration. Also, with their smooth surface, this choice is far easier to clean. If you purchase a man-made decoration which has been rated safe for aquariums, they will not change the delicate pH or mineral balance of the tank. You'll have a greater variety of options to choose from as well, such as fun castles or divers which create bubbles. If you are looking to add a bit of whimsy or playfulness to your tank, these are probably right for you.
However, artificial items have a few drawbacks as well, and these include their unnatural look. If you want your tank to be a window into a realistic underwater environment right in your home, these are probably a poor selection. Also, some manufactured decorations cost more than their natural counterparts as well.
Your final choice is natural decorations which are still alive, such as living plants. This options will give you a more accurate environment, as fish don't typically swim around plastic decorations! Also, over time your decorations will change, which is a interesting feature. However, you will pay for this privilege, as they can be more difficult to maintain. After all, other plants in your home require care, and these are no different. It is important to keep them healthy as well, as any problems can spell trouble for the tank as a whole. How so? If they are dying or rotting, they can pollute your tank, giving it a dirty look or even poisoning your fish! Also, you must be aware that certain breeds of fish might eat your plant life. Finally, they are more expensive than manufactured options, as they will eventually die and then you will have to purchase new ones.
Have a Design Plan!
Now that you have seen the benefits and drawbacks of each option, you are in a better position to decide which type is right for you. Once you've picked out your preferred decorations, you next need to create a plan. Why is this important? It gives your tank a cohesive appearance and theme, giving you a better result in the end. First off the background surfaces should be established, and you'll need to pick out your substrate. There are now many different color options, which can further add to your tank's appearance. A designing rule is to stick with three basic colors, and use these throughout. So, if you wanted a brilliant blue artificial rock substrate, your trees could be green. Your third color could be brown or gold, and then you could add a pirates ship or a treasure chest to incorporate those colors.
With this type of approach, you'll be well on your way to creating a tank which is safe for your fish and pleasing to the eye! With non-toxic items included, you won't have to worry about creating harmful pollutants. Also, with a design plan the overall theme and color palette will be unified as well. So, why not get started decorating today, and make your aquarium truly come alive?
Having had fish tanks for over ten years, enjoying freshwater tropical fish, I now decided to write about my experiences on FreshwaterTropicalFish.org.
If you've recently started a freshwater aquarium which is filled with tropical fish, you may want to accent it with quality decorations. After all, with the bright and vibrant colors of your different fish species, you don't want the backdrop to be faded or boring! Yet, there are many aquarium decorations to choose from on the market today, and how can you know which ones are best? An excellent approach is to ensure they are appropriate for your fish, and also pleasing to the eye. To help you in this endeavor, we'll take a closer look at the various types currently offered below.
Why Decorate?
At this point you may be asking do you even need decorations? You've already added beautiful fish, and you may think that is enough. Yet, decorations are not just visually appealing, they can serve another purpose as well. Your fish will often use these decorations for shelter, giving them somewhere to feel protected and safe. The lower their stress level, the healthier they will be, so this is a key advantage. Secondly, some types of decorations such as rocks, can aid in the filtration of your tank. How can they do this? Beneficial bacteria actually live within their surface imperfections, and these work to cleanse the aquatic environment of harmful pollutants.
Available Options
Now that we've established how beneficial aquarium decorations can be, let's take a look at what types you can buy. You can select artificial options, or choose natural ones instead. Man-made decorations include artificial rocks, plants, wood and specialty items like castles or treasure chests. When selecting a natural product instead, you'll have to decide whether you want one which is living or dead. An example of a living aquarium decoration would be real plants. For dead decorations, actual rocks, real driftwood or natural substrates like sand or gravel are common.
Which Aquarium Decorations Are Right For You?
With all of these available choices, which one should you purchase for your tank? This can depend upon a number of factors. To help you in the decision process, let's examine the benefits and drawbacks of each category. First, the positive side of using natural decorations which are not alive, is their realistic look. Rather than having an obvious reproduction made from something like plastic, the real item will give your tank a more authentic feel. This benefit can make these worth the extra hassle associated with them. These decorations can sometimes cause problems, such as driftwood affecting the pH balance of your tank.
Also, if you decide to pick a natural substrate, be careful to check it out beforehand. Some types of rocks will release minerals which can do damage to your fish. A good option is a rock like sandstone, slate or quartz as these don't have this dangerous property. Further, unlike man-made decorations, natural ones can have exposed edges which could harm your fish. Finally, artificial options are more diverse, giving you a greater ability to customize your tank.
With all of these extra precautions, you may be interested in artificial decorations instead. What are the benefits of this type of accessory? Well, first off they are highly durable, and will last for years. This means you won't have to spend money again, and the upfront cost is the only consideration. Also, with their smooth surface, this choice is far easier to clean. If you purchase a man-made decoration which has been rated safe for aquariums, they will not change the delicate pH or mineral balance of the tank. You'll have a greater variety of options to choose from as well, such as fun castles or divers which create bubbles. If you are looking to add a bit of whimsy or playfulness to your tank, these are probably right for you.
However, artificial items have a few drawbacks as well, and these include their unnatural look. If you want your tank to be a window into a realistic underwater environment right in your home, these are probably a poor selection. Also, some manufactured decorations cost more than their natural counterparts as well.
Your final choice is natural decorations which are still alive, such as living plants. This options will give you a more accurate environment, as fish don't typically swim around plastic decorations! Also, over time your decorations will change, which is a interesting feature. However, you will pay for this privilege, as they can be more difficult to maintain. After all, other plants in your home require care, and these are no different. It is important to keep them healthy as well, as any problems can spell trouble for the tank as a whole. How so? If they are dying or rotting, they can pollute your tank, giving it a dirty look or even poisoning your fish! Also, you must be aware that certain breeds of fish might eat your plant life. Finally, they are more expensive than manufactured options, as they will eventually die and then you will have to purchase new ones.
Have a Design Plan!
Now that you have seen the benefits and drawbacks of each option, you are in a better position to decide which type is right for you. Once you've picked out your preferred decorations, you next need to create a plan. Why is this important? It gives your tank a cohesive appearance and theme, giving you a better result in the end. First off the background surfaces should be established, and you'll need to pick out your substrate. There are now many different color options, which can further add to your tank's appearance. A designing rule is to stick with three basic colors, and use these throughout. So, if you wanted a brilliant blue artificial rock substrate, your trees could be green. Your third color could be brown or gold, and then you could add a pirates ship or a treasure chest to incorporate those colors.
With this type of approach, you'll be well on your way to creating a tank which is safe for your fish and pleasing to the eye! With non-toxic items included, you won't have to worry about creating harmful pollutants. Also, with a design plan the overall theme and color palette will be unified as well. So, why not get started decorating today, and make your aquarium truly come alive?
Having had fish tanks for over ten years, enjoying freshwater tropical fish, I now decided to write about my experiences on FreshwaterTropicalFish.org.
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