Nowadays, a beautiful and fashionable design of an aquarium for a person engaged in keeping and breeding fish is not just entertainment, but a matter of prestige and simply aesthetic pleasure from contemplating the results of one’s work.
Psychologists say that the aquarium with fish in the apartment is able to calm the nerves and normalize the mental state of a person. To do this, simply organize a recreation area with an aquarium and watch the fish for at least 30-60 minutes. in a day.
Aquarium: do it yourself
The most exciting and time-consuming task for all of us in the process of installing and filling the aquarium tank is its correct and beautiful design in the same style as the design of the room.
Today, there are a huge number of accessories that can be placed in the aquarium. Making it with your own hands will allow you to accurately recreate in it exactly the atmosphere that you want to see there. Just do not forget that the main inhabitants of the aquarium are fish. And they need the maximum amount of free space in order to be able to swim freely.
The main components that allow for the design of the aquarium (200 liters and all others) are:
- stones
- natural and artificial algae;
- pebbles;
- various wooden elements;
- artificial decor elements, such as locks, chests, etc.
Examples
Let's look at the following steps and examples of aquarium design:
- soil flooring;
- decoration of the aquarium with stones and grottoes;
- the design of the aquarium using the right background;
- the use of various types of plants;
- proper selection of backlight;
- the design of the aquarium using decorative elements.
Each of them has its own specific rules, which will be described below.
Soil flooring
Soil for the aquarium bottom is one of the main and integral attributes. Before buying it in a specialized store, decide what kind of aquarium you want to have, since this natural material must be purchased according to a specific goal. Yes, you heard right: a specific type of soil is taken for each target.
So, if you have small fish living in your aquarium, it is best to buy a small type of soil, and large-sized or mixed ones will be suitable for large inhabitants of the tank. A similar approach is acceptable when you decide to equip a Dutch-style aquarium at home, that is, a tank in which plants, rather than fish, predominate.
In addition, when choosing a cover for the bottom, you must take into account the individual habits of your chosen exotic aquarium fish. If you have purchased goldfish or certain species of catfish, then you must remember that they love to rummage in the ground. Therefore, they cannot buy fine soil, otherwise there will always be fog in the aquarium. To avoid this, it is necessary to purchase a bottom cover of such a size that they could not dig it.
It’s best to buy a plain coating for the aquarium. It is best to choose a dark-colored bottom base, as it will highlight the inhabitants of your house for fish.
Before placing the purchased soil in the aquarium, it must be thoroughly washed or, which is ideal, doused with boiling water.
Stones and grottoes
How are aquariums decorated with stones and grottoes? These parts, chosen for decoration, should be made only of natural, natural materials. They should not contain harmful or poisonous impurities that, if released into water, can lead to the death of the inhabitants of the aquarium.
In the case of self-collection of decor elements in the aquarium, do-it-yourself registration is carried out only after preliminary processing of all previously collected material in order to disinfect and check for the absence of all elements harmful to the health of residents of this tank.
Processing stones and snags
Stones can be treated in the same way as soil for the bottom of the aquarium, and pre-treatment of snags is somewhat more difficult. To do this, place the selected wooden decor in a container of water (so that the liquid completely covers it) and add salt there until it stops dissolving, then remove the treated driftwood and rinse it with clean water and place it in the purchased tank for fish.
Do not forget that in the aquarium in no case should there be elements of limestone, rubber, various types of metals, as well as elements having a coating of paint or enamel.
Also, do not oversaturate the aquarium with decor, especially with elements of large sizes, such as stones, grottoes, etc., since this leads to a decrease in the useful internal space needed by underwater inhabitants for movement that is vital for them.
Do not forget that decor elements of large sizes should be placed at the corners of the container or in the background, so as not to spoil the whole appearance.
Design an aquarium with the right background
The so-called background is an important element in the decoration of the aquarium. Since the background coating sets the mood for your entire brainchild, you should not choose dark and gloomy tones, bearing a spirit of gloom and sadness.
There are several background options for aquariums :
- You can simply paint the back of the tank in your pre-selected color. This path has its pros and cons. An indisputable plus is the uniqueness and 100% originality of your brainchild. The list of minuses includes certain difficulties with changing the already existing background (removing it with a solvent).
- Background in the form of a colored plastic film, having an unlimited number of different variation solutions, among which everyone can choose the most suitable for him. In addition, the price of such a film will be practically imperceptible for your pocket, and it can also be installed or removed very quickly.
- Panels and dioramas in the aquarium. Do-it-yourself decoration in this case is an ideal option, since these parts can not only be purchased at the store, but also made independently using the following improvised materials: small pebbles, driftwood and branches, polystyrene foam and mounting foam. But we must not forget about the ecological purity and natural origin of the selected materials, so as not to harm the fish. Such decorative elements will always be one of a kind.
Film sticking rules
A similar film can be attached both from the outside and from the inside of the back wall. If you want to get more saturated colors, then, of course, it is better to stick it from the inside.
Before sticking the film, you need to make sure that the surface of the inner wall of the back of the aquarium is completely dry (to prevent pimples). Treat the purchased film around the perimeter with a special transparent silicone sealant, pre-purchased at the pet store. In no case do not use ordinary sealant, since the consequences of its use may be irreparable for aquarium inhabitants.
If you decide to stick the film inside the aquarium, then do not regret the silicone: it is better to lubricate the film very carefully, especially its upper edge, in order to avoid the possibility of peeling it off. After fixing, wait until the material has completely dried, and only then fill the tank with water.
Aquarium decoration with various types of plants: living or artificial
If you have purchased an aquarium and are engaged in its design, then do not forget about the acquisition and planting of various types of algae. You do not need to oversaturate the capacity with them, but you can’t do without them, since they saturate the water with oxygen and are food for some fish species.
They also act as a "crèche" for recently born fish, because only by hiding in algae can they survive, because among many species of fish eating their fry is widespread. Those types of fish that spawn eggs hide it on or under the leaves of algae.
Planting and caring for live aquarium plants
Before purchasing aquarium plants, it is best to consult the seller at the pet store, he will help you choose the perfect plants, and also tell you how to properly plant them in the aquarium so that they please your look for a long time.
In any case, there are varieties of aquatic vegetation that do not require planting in the ground. For all others, the thickness of the soil should not exceed 3-5 cm, and grains are recommended to choose medium or large sizes. It is this size of soil that will accelerate the process of full rooting of plants. A newly planted plant can be pressed lightly with pebbles or other decorative elements. At the same time, its roots should be in a straightened state.
It is also recommended to feed the plants monthly with the help of special tablets, which are placed in the soil adjacent to the plant. They must be used no more than two per month.
We choose the right backlight
If you decide to make the acquired aquarium with your own hands, then do not forget about the correct illumination, because not only the appearance of the tank, but also the health of its inhabitants depends on it, since the strength of the light flux and its spectrum are vital for plants.
Today, there are a huge number of different lights, both external and fully adapted for working under water, so that everyone can find the option that he likes. To help a novice aquarist, many different manuals have been published that help to correctly and quickly design an aquarium. The photos below will help make this process as simple and easy as possible.
Aquarium decoration with decorative elements
When designing an aquarium with the help of decor elements, it must be remembered that they must be environmentally friendly and free from harmful impurities, and in no case should they be oversaturated with the aquarium.
You can use both purchased and self-made decor.
Styles
Today, there are various styles of aquarium design. All of them are very richly represented in the pictures and photographs posted in our article and in various books devoted to the aquarium business. Also in Russia they can be seen in dolphinariums. Among them, the following aquarium design options stand out:
- Biotope, representing the landscape of a single reservoir.
- The Dutch style of design, which focuses on the wealth of underwater flora, and not on fish.
- Geographic - an aquarium with representatives of the animal and plant world of a single region.
- The pseudo-sea aquarium is stylized under the sea bottom without plants, and its inhabitants are fishes of bright colors. Since such a tank is decorated with large decor, such as stones, corals, artificial polyps, shells, and almost no vegetation, it is great for cichlids. After all, such an aquarium design for cichlids is ideal.
- Children's aquariums are designed in accordance with the favorite themes of the child (games, cartoons, book plots, etc.).
- Saltwater aquarium with inhabitants living in salt water.
- Futuristic aquariums saturated with luminous elements, including special hybrid fluorescent fish.
- Household and thematic containers created on the basis of human imagination.
The corner aquarium is designed according to the same principles as all the others. A variety of types and styles of work of experts in aquarium affairs, known throughout the world, will help you in this difficult task. We hope that the recommendations given in this article will help you to create a clear idea for yourself about the future interior decoration of the fish house. In addition, the photos proposed by us will help to correctly and beautifully design the aquarium. They will serve as an excellent visual aid.