5 Fish Tank Design Tips for a Captivating Aquarium
Create an aquarium that both you and your fish will love.
There’s a bit of an art to creating your aquarium. The first priority is the health and happiness of your fish and, once you have that sorted, you can experiment with the layout and look. Here are some things to keep in mind when creating (or re-creating) your fish tank.
Plan before you build
Before you rush out and buy everything you think you’ll need, do a bit of forward planning and work out the layout of your fish tank. You might want to map out your layout on a piece of paper or, if you’ve already bought your aquarium’s elements, play around with their configuration while the tank is empty. This will help you work out the best use of space and avoid a cluttered look.
Tip: The ‘rule of thirds’ is a good way to think about your space: the rule of thirds divides an image up into three sections we use these intersecting points to frame and focus what we what the viewer to see.
Find your focal point
Whether this is a piece of driftwood, the plants, an ornament or otherwise, having one focal point will help you work out the rest of your tank’s scheme. Obviously, your fish will be the focal point for the viewer but, when you’re designing the aquarium, using one element as an anchor will help you work out your color palette and layout.
Color code
While we’re talking about color, think about choosing a palette for your tank. Whether you want to choose three tones – say brown, green and black – or try to keep all of the hard elements, such as substrate and ornaments, one tone, your tank will have a bold look. If you prefer a brighter palette, there are so many colorful options that you can inject some personality with. Your substrate alone can start the color code from the ground up, with two-toned options, as well as vibrant glass gravel in blues, greens and reds.
Tip: An earthy palette will be the perfect backdrop for your colorful fish to stand out.
Paint the back
If you’re going for the sleek look, painting the back outside glass of your tank will elevate the whole environment. Rather than showcasing what’s sitting behind the fish tank, when you paint the back you’ll be able to set the mood. This look will set your tank apart as a central piece of your home and let your aqua-scaping shine. If you decide to do this, make sure your tank is empty when you paint it, you do a double coat and that absolutely no paint makes its way into the tank. Ensure your tank is totally dry before you add water (or your fish).
Tip: Darker colors will make pale-toned gravel and ornaments stand out.
Take it slow
When you’re planning your fish tank, think about it as a space that will grow like a garden. Some fantastic examples of aqua scaping only get better with age, as new plants grow and moss (if you’ve planted it) starts to soften the harder edges of the environment. Before you begin setting up, make sure you choose plants with their growth in mind. This way, you’ll understand their level of maintenance and how your tank will look in two months’ time. If you’re planning to invest time in your fish tank, think of it as a work in progress so you can tweak the design as the environment grows and changes.
Tip: If you’re going for a plant-focused tank, use a selection of plants with different heights and foliage silhouettes for a textured look.
Contact Melbourne Tropical Fish for more information and tips.
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Melbourne Tropical Fish
Factory 2/41-43 Sinclair Rd
Dandenong VIC 3175
(03) 9792 5513