When setting up an aquarium, hobbyists make the decision whether or not they will include décor. Decorations are optional but can improve the appearance of home aquariums and can enhance the viewing experience for aquarists, family, and guests. In addition, décor can also provide benefits for aquatic life.

When selecting décor, there are both live and artificial options. Live items can include plants, real driftwood, and more. Artificial items available are almost endless and can include ships, caves, and rockwork, along with many other options. When selecting artificial décor, it is important to use only products that are specifically approved for aquarium use, to avoid the presence of toxic chemicals, solvents or preservatives that may be present in paint or components used in the manufacturing process.

Not only does décor create an aesthetic experience, but it also offers benefits for your aquatic life. Hiding places that are created with décor can provide shelter for fish and inverts and provide them a comfort level when they know they have a place they can dart back into if they perceive a threat. These safe areas can reduce overall stress, aid in optimal coloration, and help build immunity systems.

It would be helpful to create a plan or layout of décor placement to create an environment that is functional, appealing, and will add depth to the aquarium. Consider building your aquarium design from the bottom and working upward.

Above all, the needs of fish and other inhabitants in your aquarium must have the highest consideration when selecting aquarium décor. Aquatic life from planted shallow or slow moving water generally prefers plants or flexible décor that provides soft cover. Fish and other aquatic life from faster or deeper water prefers hard cover like rockscapes, driftwood, and plants or other hardscape that will hold up to stronger water flow.

Live freshwater plants introduced into your aquarium should be safe for aquatic life and purchased for aquarium use, as plants taken from nature may carry disease or hitchhikers.

When creating an attractive aquarium environment, substrates are one of the first aquascaping products to be selected. The aquatic life you house should be the main factor in determining the appropriate substrate material. In addition to its decorative quality, the substrate provides microorganisms and beneficial bacteria a place to colonize.

Sand is a substrate that is necessary when you have fish that will have their bellies rubbed raw or barbels damaged with gravel substrates. Deep sand substrates are necessary for burrowing fish and inverts. Aesthetically, many aquarists feel like sand gives their aquarium a beachy look.

If there is a high level of food or bodily waste produced in the aquarium and the aquatic life housed does not require a sand substrate, a gravel substrate may be ideal. The size of the gravel is an important consideration based on the aquatic life housed within, as some fish may inhale small gravel particles. When selecting gravel substrates in color, some aquarists will use dark substrates to enhance colors of certain fish or aquatic animals. Whatever substrate material is used, remember to rinse before use. For computing how much substrate is needed, refer to this handy article.

Once the substrate has been selected and the aquarist is ready to choose their décor, they should do so in a way that avoids overcrowding the aquarium bottom.

Live decor can include such items such as plants and driftwood. Not only does décor enhance the beauty of an aquarium, but it can also provide environmental benefits such as water filtration, oxygenation, and absorption of excess nutrients. With fish that are not captive bred, these natural items can replicate their experience in the natural environment.

Live products will decompose over time. Decomposition may release tannins into the water, cause nitrogen spikes, or add to the detritus found in aquariums. Live plants may also need to be moved as they grow and require pruning and maintenance to prevent overgrowth. Some natural products can be subject to seasonal availability or may not be sold in certain areas of the United States.

Requiring no or little maintenance, artificial décor is a viable option for decorating an aquarium. When purchasing from quality suppliers like LiveAquaria®, the décor can be very realistic looking and provide plenty of options to satisfy the desired aesthetic. Artificial plants are good candidates for dimly lit tanks or ones with strong water movement.

Some reasons a person would not want live décor (especially plants), would be because they have fish that will nibble on or upend plants. Artificial plants are durable and long-lasting. A consideration to be taken if using artificial décor in an outside pond is that some fading or bleaching will occur from exposure to direct sunlight.

Artificial décor requires little to no maintenance other than cleaning from time to time and won’t affect water quality because it does not degrade. Also, artificial décor does not support algae growth like live plants do.

Depending on the needs of the aquatic life housed within, and working toward creating a desired aesthetic, aquarists can choose to use either live or artificial décor. It just depends on the needs of the aquatic life that is housed, along with achieving the desired aesthetic. Both live and artificial décor will provide cover and offer hiding places for fish and other aquatic life. Décor can also add a hint of playfulness to aquariums, as well as create an attractive aesthetic.

Here are a few tips to follow when adding décor to an aquarium:

• Leave the viewing area in the front area of the aquarium visible by placing larger and taller plants and other decor toward the back and sides.
• Use décor to hide some of the mechanical equipment from view.
• Create a natural looking aquascape. Use plants in groups to mimic nature.
• Have showcase pieces (like rockscapes, or ships) with edges obscured by rocks or plants.
• Ensure glue or adhesives used are aquarium safe.

Dream it, then create it! When you keep the needs of your aquatic life to the forefront, there is no wrong choice when selecting decor. Live with your selections and evaluate your choices afterward to ensure the setup is working for your fish and other aquatic life and make any adjustments necessary. Mix it up if you want, and above all, have fun - it's your underwater world, as well as your aquatic life-s home. If the decorations help your fish feel safe, help to reduce anxiety, brings them out into the open, and you can view your aquatic life without interruption, you have accomplished your goal.