Aquarium: decoration by yourself. Styles and variants of aquarium design

Nowadays, the beautiful and fashionable design of an aquarium for a person engaged in the maintenance and breeding of fish is not just entertainment, but a matter of prestige and simply aesthetic pleasure from contemplating the results of his labors.

Psychologists say that an aquarium with fish, located in an apartment, can calm nerves and normalize a person's mental state. To do this, simply organize a recreation area with an aquarium and watch the fish at least 30-60 minutes. in a day.

Aquarium: decoration by yourself

The most exciting and time-consuming task for all of us in the process of installing and filling an aquarium tank is its correct and beautiful design in one style with the design of the room.

To date, there is a huge amount of accessories that can be placed in the aquarium. Making your own hands will allow you to accurately recreate in it exactly the environment 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 freely swim.

The main components that make it possible to design an aquarium (200 liters and all others) are:

• Stones;
• Natural and artificial algae;
• Pebbles;
• Various wooden elements;
• Artificial elements of decor, such as locks, trunks, etc.

Examples

Let's consider the following stages and examples of aquarium design:

• Bottom laying;
• Decoration of the aquarium with stones and grottoes;
• Design of the aquarium with a properly selected background;
• Application of various plant species;
• Correct selection of the backlight;
• Decoration of the aquarium with the help of decor elements.

Each of them has its own specific rules, which will be described below.

Bottom pavement

Soil for the aquarium bottom is one of the main and inalienable attributes. Before you buy it in a specialized store, decide what kind of aquarium you want to have, because this natural material must be bought according to the specific purpose. Yes, you did not misinterpret: for each purpose a certain kind of soil is taken.

So, if you have small fish in your aquarium, it is best to buy a small type of soil, and large coarse or mixed people will fit large tank dwellers. A similar approach is also acceptable when you decide to equip an aquarium in the Dutch style at home, that is, a reservoir in which plants predominate, not fish.

In addition, when choosing a cover for the bottom, it is necessary to take into account the individual habits of the exotic aquarium fish you have chosen. If you have purchased goldfish or certain species of catfish, then you need to remember that they are very fond of digging in the ground. Therefore, for them you can not buy a small soil, otherwise the aquarium will always have a fog. To avoid this, it is necessary to purchase a bottom cover of this size so that they can not dig it.

It is best to buy a one-color coating for an aquarium. It is best to choose a bottom base of dark color, as it will favorably allocate the inhabitants of your house for fish.

Before you place the purchased soil in the aquarium, it must be thoroughly rinsed or, that is an ideal option, to burn with boiling water.

Stones and grottoes

How is the aquarium made with stones and grottoes? These details, chosen for decoration, must be made only from natural, natural materials. They should not contain harmful or poisonous impurities, which, if ingested, can lead to the death of aquarium inhabitants.

In the case of self-collection of decor elements in the aquarium, the decoration by one's own hands is made only after preliminary processing of all previously collected material for the purpose of decontamination and checking for the absence of all elements harmful to the health of the inhabitants of this reservoir.

Treating stones and snags

Stones can be treated in the same way as the soil for the bottom of the aquarium, and preliminary processing of snags occurs somewhat more difficult. To do this, put the selected wooden decor in a container with water (so that the liquid completely covers it) and pour the salt there until it ceases to dissolve, then remove the treated snag and, rinsing it with clean water, place in the purchased tank For fish.

Do not forget that the aquarium should in no case be elements of limestone, rubber, various types of metals, as well as elements that have a coating of paint or enamel.

Also, do not overcrowd the aquarium with decor, especially larger elements such as stones, grottoes and the like, as this leads to a reduction in the useful interior space necessary for underwater inhabitants for their vital movement.

Do not forget that decor elements of large sizes should be placed in the corners of the container or in the background, so as not to spoil the whole appearance.

Making an aquarium with a properly selected background

The so-called backdrop is an important element of the aquarium decor. Since the background coverage sets the mood for all your offspring, do not choose dark and gloomy tones, which bear the spirit of despondency and sadness.

There are several options for the background for aquariums :

• You can simply paint the back of the tank in a color you have previously chosen. This way has its pros and cons. Undeniable advantage can be called the originality and 100 percent originality of your offspring. The list of disadvantages includes certain difficulties with changing the existing background (removing it with a solvent).
• Background in the form of a colored plastic film, which has an infinite number of different variational solutions, among which everyone can choose the most suitable for him. In addition, the price of such a film will be almost imperceptible for your pocket, and it can be installed or removed very quickly.
• Panels and dioramas in the aquarium. Making your own hands in this case is an ideal option, as these parts can not only be purchased in the store, but also made independently using the following materials: small pebbles, snags and branches, 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 the only one of its kind.

Rules for gluing film

Such a 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 glue it from the inside.

Before gluing the film, it must be ensured that the surface of the inner wall of the back of the aquarium is completely dry (to avoid the appearance of pimples). Process the acquired film around the perimeter with a special transparent silicone sealant, purchased in advance at the pet store. Do not use ordinary sealant, as the consequences of its use can be irreparable for aquarium inhabitants.

If you decide to stick a film inside the aquarium, then do not feel sorry for the silicone: it's better to film the film very carefully, especially its upper edge, in order to avoid the possibility of peeling it off. After fixing, allow the material to dry completely, and only then fill the reservoir with water.

Decoration of the aquarium with various plant species: living or artificial

If you purchased an aquarium and are engaged in its design, then do not forget about the acquisition and planting of various species of algae. It is not necessary to oversaturate their capacity, but they can not be dispensed with either, since they saturate the water with oxygen and are a food for some species of fish.

They also act as a "yasel" for newly born fish, because only hiding in algae, they can survive, because among many species of fish is widespread eating of their fry. Those types of fish that spawn, hide it on sheets of algae or under them.

Planting and caring for live aquarium plants

Before buying aquarium plants, it is best to consult a seller in a pet store, he will help pick up the perfect plants, and also tell you how to properly plant them in the aquarium so that they will delight your eyes for a long time.

In any case, there are varieties of aquatic vegetation that do not require landings. For all others, the thickness of the soil should not exceed 3-5 cm, and the seeds are recommended to choose medium or large sizes. It is this type of soil that will accelerate the process of full rooting of plants. Just planted plant can be slightly pressed with pebbles or other decor elements. At the same time, its roots should be in a straightened state.

It is also recommended to make monthly fertilizing of plants with the help of special tablets, which are placed in the soil adjacent to the plant. They should be used no more than two per month.

Correctly select the backlight

If you decide to purchase an aquarium with your own hands, do not forget about the correct lighting, because it depends on it not only the appearance of the tank, but also the health of its inhabitants, since the power of the light flux and its spectrum are vital for plants.

To date, there is a huge amount of various highlights, both external and fully adapted to work underwater, so that everyone can find the option that he likes. To help the beginning aquarist, many different manuals have been published, helping to correctly and quickly design the aquarium. The photos below will help make this process as simple and easy as possible.

Decoration of the aquarium with the help of decor elements

When decorating an aquarium with the help of decor elements, it is necessary to remember that they must be environmentally friendly and not have harmful impurities, and in no case should they be overfilled with an aquarium.

You can use both bought and self-made decor.

Styles

To date, there are different styles of aquarium design. All of them are very richly represented in pictures and photos, placed in our article and in various books devoted to aquarium business. Also in Russia they can be seen in dolphinariums. Among them are the following variants of aquarium design:

• Biotopic, representing the landscape of a single reservoir.
• The Dutch style of decoration, which focuses on the richness of the underwater flora, and not on the fish.
• Geographical - an aquarium with representatives of the animal and vegetable world of a particular region.
• Pseudomorphic aquarium is stylized to the sea bottom without plants, and its inhabitants are fishes of bright colors. Since such a tank is decorated with large-scale decor, such as stones, corals, artificial polyps, shells, and almost completely lacking vegetation, it is excellent for cichlids. After all, it is such an aquarium design for cichlids is ideal.
• Children's aquariums are designed in accordance with the favorite subject of the child (games, cartoons, books, etc.).
• Marine aquarium with inhabitants living in salt water.
• Futuristic aquariums, saturated with luminous elements, including special hybrid fluorescent fish.
• Household and thematic capacities created on the basis of human imagination.

The angular aquarium is designed according to the same principles as all the others. Various types and styles of aquarium experts, known throughout the world, will help you in this difficult matter. We hope that the recommendations given in this article will help you to make a clear picture of the future interior decoration of the house for fish. In addition, will help correctly and nicely carry out the design of the aquarium photo offered by us. They will serve as an excellent visual aid.