Contents
How to Choose a Tank
Required Accessories
How to Decorate Your Aquarium
How to Set Up Your Aquarium
Live Plants
How to Add Fish to the Aquarium
How to Keep Fish Healthy
Aquarium Maintenance
The Most Popular Freshwater Fish
Tropical Fish
Cold-Water Fish
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How to Decorate Your Aquarium
Once you’ve gotten all the equipment you’ll need to operate your aquarium, it’s time to decorate. From natural to whimsical, there are many different looks you can create.
Substrate
The sand or gravel at the bottom of an aquarium is called the substrate. The substrate beautifies the tank and
provides a bed for fish, plants, and decorative accessories. The most common types of substrate are gravel and sand:
- Gravel: The most popular substrate, gravel ranges from fine to coarse, comes in many colors, and can be contoured easily. In general, it’s best to choose gravel that’s smooth, as it’s less likely to scratch your fish. Avoid gravel that contains lime, a mineral that can cause the water in your tank to become too “hard” (see Aquarium Maintenance).
- Sand: Sand is more difficult to contour than gravel but provides a nice, flat surface and a good rooting material for plants. Use only inert, noncompacting sand sold by a reputable fish store.
Substrate and Undergravel Filters
If you’re using an undergravel filtration system, avoid sand or fine gravel, which can clog the filtration tray.
Natural Aquarium Decor
Natural decorations beautify an aquarium and give fish places to hide and explore. Among the most popular types of natural aquarium decor are driftwood and stones.
- Driftwood: Soak driftwood in water for at least a week before adding it to your tank. This will release any water-staining tannins it may contain. Change the water regularly while soaking to flush out the tannins.
- Stones: Place stones individually or stack them to create nooks and crannies for your fish. If stacking stones, glue them together with aquarium sealant so that the structures you make don’t collapse on your fish.
Natural Décor: Found vs. Store-Bought
Never put natural items you find into your tank. These
items may contain minerals, chemicals, or bacteria that can harm your fish. Instead, buy all-natural decorations from a fish store.
Artificial Aquarium Décor
Artificial decorations come in many types and sizes. To
prevent toxins from leeching into the water, use only decorations designed specifically for aquariums. Always be sure to wash decorations before adding them to your tank.
- Artificial habitats: Include castles, sunken ships, and fake hollow logs to provide hiding spots for your fish.
- Decorative aerators: Replace plain airstones with more decorative or playful aerators.
- Artificial plants: Enhance decor and provide hiding spots for your fish with fake plants, which are easier to maintain than live aquarium plants (see Live Plants).
- Tank backgrounds: Give tanks a feeling of depth and let fish act more naturally. Backgrounds typically show an undersea landscape and stick to the outside of the tank’s back wall with the image facing into the tank.
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