Designing the Perfect Aquarium

An aquarium can range from a small fish bowl to public aquaria that can house marine fish such as sharks and other sea animals including turtles and sting rays. However, the essence of an aquarium is not necessarily what living creatures contain them but how it is designed.

An aquarium can be used as decoration in some cases, to brighten up an event or simply placed in a cosy living room. If you own a fish tank or small aquarium of your own then there are tips on how you can aquascape the water filled space.

When a new fish tank is bought, one of the first things you will consider is the ornaments and plants that will accompany the inhabitants of the tank. The key is not to overload the space with novelty ornaments as it will look too overcrowded. One of the biggest dangers of designing a small household aquarium is getting too eager and filling the tank with too many objects, which makes it look crammed. Yes, we all believe the classic castle ornament belongs in our fish tanks, but too many novelty items can make it look too 'busy'. By all means keep the traditional ornament, however don't go over the top.

Another good tip is to have a good mixture of ornaments and plants in your aquarium. It is important to create a balance so the tank refrains from looking too cluttered. For example you could use artificial or live plants along with plastic figures. However, do not use too many plant forms as it is important for the fish to move around easily and sometimes artificial plants can restrict that. You could also add rocks to the bottom of the aquarium to add a more natural feel to the space.

In addition, adhering to a theme for your aquarium is an option when considering a design. Some fish tank owners like to create a sunken ship scenario or recreate the image of the barrier reef. It is up to you which theme you choose, and you can consult local aquarium or pet shops for ideas about a specific genre for your tank. On the other hand, if you're eager to keep up to date with modern designs then I urge you to go to your local aquarium shop and inquire about new trends and new ornaments available. Also, look around the shop's own displays and try and recreate their design.

Finally, when creating a design one of the aspects that must be considered are the inhabitants of the aquarium. It is important to keep the most natural living space for the fish you have housed in your tank. Look online or ask in your local aquarium shop about the natural setting of your fish depending on the species. I advise you to consider this because even though it is important to create an eye catching design it is vital that the inhabitants of the aquarium can adapt to the setting you have provided for them.