new ideas for tank decorations

[Natalie_ava]

So I love looking at pictures of people's aquariums and seeing all of their wonderfully decorated tanks. Looking at all these pictures got me looking around for different ideas to use in decorating my tanks. You know, something new or different from the ones that everybody can purchase at pet stores.

For example, I am about to graduate from college and the building that I attend classes in has some very pretty stones used in the landscaping. I always admired all the different colors of the stones and thought about how pretty they would be for an aquarium instead of lining azaleas. So, the other day I figured that since I paid tuition that I am entitled to some of these stones. :grinyes: I picked some out and brought them home to use in my own aquariums.

They are very pretty, just like I thought they would be, but my fiance thinks I am crazy for taking rocks. That got me wondering if anyone else uses random things to decorate their tanks with. I would love to hear some stories or new ideas (and also to know that I am not the only "crazy" one out there). Don't worry, I won't judge anyone. :dance2: We all do it for the love of our fish. :goldfish:

 

[dundadundun]

2.5% black limo tint. i had some left over after tinting my bedroom windows, my clocks and all the led's on the electronics in my room. now it's a background for my tank too.

i sleep in a cave with no bother from the pesky sun at 5am and the tank looks better to boot.

 

[Chrisk-K]

I use only plants, sand, driftwood and rocks. Anything else makes an aquarium look artificial except black background, IMO.

 

[Hollygirl]

Be sure that any stones you acquire that were used in or near a flower bed were not sprayed with insecticide. Since stones are porous they might have absorbed some of it and that would be bad for your tanks

 

[Natalie_ava]

I thought about that before I picked them up. Its an all organic garden thing that they have going so its all good

 

[Natalie_ava]

Thats a great idea! And don't worry, I work all night and sleep during the day so my house is as dark as the inside of a cave too.

 

[Hollygirl]

Another good source for stones and rocks of all kinds are the home improvement centers. I bought a huge bag of river stones sold for landscaping for under $4.00. If I bought the same stones at an LFS they would have been ten times as much.

 

[snoopy65]

I have used deer horns and a deer skull in a tank (fish need to tolerate hard water to do this). I have used slate from a old barn roof. Driftwood from my lake. KFC Biscuit Bowls inverted with little holes cut out for caves. Old tupperware glasses (the tall really skinny ones) painted with silicone and rolled in gravel for pleco caves. Let me think, I know there is more goofy stuff I have used.

 

[cellodaisy]

I have used slate from a old barn roof.

I've used roofing slates, too! I made this basking platform for my turtle. (I'm using a taller one now, but the basic design is the same.)





Side note: Wow... Milo has grown a LOT since I took that picture!

 

[fishycat]

I take it java fern tastes yucky to turtles, too? :laugh: he's very cute!

I soaked a small Terra cotta pot in water, used a screwdriver & mallet to pop out the bottom for a cave/tube. Later I broke it in half for a lower cave. The klittle leftover bits became anchors for my java ferns.