When you have set up your new tropical aquarium you will be thinking about decorating it. Many people enjoy this immensely and there are many choices to make your tank look different from the rest! Decorations serve another purpose in your aquarium as they can give your fish some safe hiding places.
The Gravel
A good place to start is with the gravel that forms the base of the aquarium. Gravel comes in a variety of colours and can be mixed to give a mottled look. Green, blue and red are available or you can achieve a more natural look with stone, white or off white gravel. As well as looking decorative gravel has a function in your tank as it provides a place for the nitrifying bacteria to grow and, if you have an under-gravel filter, functions as the filter medium. For use as an undergravel filter medium it should be between four and six millimeters in diameter. I also like to place some shiny stones on the gravel.
Aquarium Rocks
Rocks can be placed in the aquarium and add a natural look. They are very useful to keep plants in place (which float around if not anchored properly!). Your local pet shop or aquarium supplier will have some suitable rocks or you could find rocks around your neighborhood. Be careful if you find them locally that you wash them carefully and rinse well before placing in your fish tank.
Using Driftwood in You Aquarium
Natural driftwood makes a great addition to your aquarium. Each piece will be one-of-a-kind. Driftwood pieces is obtainable from the pet store often called ’sinking driftwood’ which is heavy enough not to float around in your tank once it has absorbed water. Place in a bucket of water for a short time before being placed in the tank. Using wood found around the garden or park is not a good idea as it may be full of parasites.
Plants
Are you going to use live or artificial plants?. A good choice might be live plants as, as well as looking natural they will help to keep the fish tank healthy. However, for the beginner they might be hard to get established as they must be provided with the correct lighting, for an appropriate length of time each day, and correct substrate. Silk plants are a good alternative and are nearly as good looking as live plants and are obtainable in a many different types and colours.
Other Decorative Items
Popular, traditional aquarium decorations also include Greek ruins and pirate’s treasure chests. Although they are not to everyone’s taste these types of decorations continue to be popular.
Conclusion
Decorating your fish tank is fun but please ensure that everything you make use of is thoroughly cleaned and well rinsed with clean water. Do not put anything in the aquarium that you cannot guarantee does not contain parasites or harmful chemicals or anything else that could be harmful to the fish, the bacteria colonies or which could disturb the water balance.
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