DIY aquarium decorations. Coral reef - do it yourself How to make a coral reef with your own hands

Today, fortunately, there are many beautiful and stylish aquarium decorations, there is plenty to choose from even for the most fastidious minimalist taste - you can find what you like.

Before filling the aquarium with water and introducing fish into it, you need to decide on the design of the aquarium and the decorations that you will use.

To create a beautiful landscape in a home pond, driftwood, stones and other decorative ornaments, both natural and artificial, are used.

1. Soil for an aquarium.

You can add the desired layer of the selected soil to the bottom of the aquarium to create a base/foundation for decorative elements. There are many different types of soil, both special and decorative, all of them have different colors and sizes/fractions. You can choose from natural and colored soils the colors you need - blue, green and others, or mixtures in any variations; now the new products at the pet market even have gravel that glows in the dark.

Use a dark colored substrate if you have bright and colorful fish. You can also replace gravel with quartz sand.

2. Stones.

You can choose natural or artificial stones - this is one of the significant elements in the design of an aquarium. They are intended not only for decoration, but also serve as shelter for certain types of fish; some aquarium plants are mounted on stones. They can completely or partially hide the equipment placed in the aquarium, and are necessary for creating decorative terraces.

Generally, you can use natural rocks, but just check them for any toxic chemicals before adding them to your aquariums. The stones should not be “weak”, otherwise they will crumble/disintegrate after several days in the water. So choose from lava, sandstone, slate, granite, basalt and quartz.

All these misunderstandings and manipulations can be avoided if you purchase stones at a pet store.

The shape of the stones is selected depending on the planned landscape and the purposes for which they are placed in the aquarium. In any case, you should not place sharp stones in the aquarium, the edges of which could injure the fish. All large stones should be placed directly on the bottom of the aquarium, otherwise the fish will be able to dig up the soil under the stone, which can lead to unpleasant situations. Near the walls, stones should be installed close to the glass or leave enough space so that aquarium fish can swim freely between them.

It is advisable to seal large rock layers that form caves and crevices with silicone sealant.

If you feel that natural stones don't look exotic enough or just don't suit you, there are now a large selection of stones made from artificial materials that have a more realistic appearance. They are also much lighter and more porous, and therefore do not displace as much water as natural stone. Some, in particular, are called grotto stones - they fit perfectly into the living landscape, while others are pieces of lava, have a red tint and look especially impressive under the red spectrum of lighting.

Large items should be placed on the sides and back of the aquarium, while smaller items look better in a group.

3. Driftwood.

They create a natural and distinctive landscape in the aquarium, and also provide shelter for fish, support for plants and terraces. The wood used for an aquarium should only be dead; the juices of a living tree can cause poisoning of aquarium inhabitants.

It is best if tree roots that have been in the water for a long time are used as driftwood. Branches and roots of willow, beech, alder, maple and ash are also suitable. Driftwood from polluted water bodies is not suitable for home ponds. Before installation, the driftwood must be cleaned of dirt, bark, air that can cause the wood to float must be removed, and washed very well under running water.

There are various types and forms of natural driftwood specially prepared for aquariums on sale; some of them, for example, the roots of a mangrove tree, do not require pre-soaking - they are heavier than water.

There are many artificial driftwood that perfectly imitate spreading branches, tree bark and roots. They look quite realistic and are usually made from polymer resins.

4. Plants.

Today, artificial plants along with live plants are used to decorate aquariums.

Live plants have the greatest advantage over artificial decorations. The advantage of using live plants is that they promote oxygenation and nitrogen removal in aquariums. Plants provide shelter for fish and also act as breeding grounds. In addition, live plants add realism to the aquarium.

Artificial plants also add beauty to the aquarium and are easy to clean. If a person is thinking about keeping fish that can damage living plants, then it is worth considering using artificial plants in the aquarium.

If you place your aquarium decorations properly, they will provide hiding spots and natural boundaries and will make your aquarium more like your fish's natural habitat.

With artificial plants, you can show off your creative side by choosing colorful flowering plants rather than the usual green ones. With a huge number of artificial plants of various shapes, sizes and colors that are now available for sale in pet stores, you can decorate your aquarium in absolutely any style, be it Pop Art or a Fantasy-style cosmic landscape.

5. Shells and corals.

They are not suitable for every aquarium, as they change the acidity (PH) of the water and its hardness. However, some fish simply need them for shelters and spawning. It is advisable to use shells that have been in the water for a long time without their “rightful owner”; shells with the remains of dead mollusks cannot be placed in a reservoir, as well as painted or varnished shells. Sinks should be thoroughly cleaned in all accessible areas.

Aquarium stores also carry artificial shells, corals and entire coral reefs, which are made from neutral materials and do not in any way affect the water parameters in the aquarium.

6. Background.

First of all, you need to decide whether it will be external or internal.

The latter must be decorated and secured before the aquarium is filled with water. For the interior background, you can use only non-toxic glue, paints and materials, or purchase ready-made ones, but unfortunately, ready-made interior volumetric/3D backgrounds are quite expensive, although impressively realistic.

Ready-made images of natural landscapes, sold in pet stores - background film, are attached to the outside of the back surface of the aquarium using adhesive tape or other suitable adhesive. This is a quick and easy solution, especially for those who don't want to spend a lot of time setting up a background. Creates instant visual interest, creates the illusion of more space in the aquarium and adds depth, while also hiding wires and hoses from equipment.

7. Lighting.

Lighting your aquarium, especially after dark, creates beautiful effects in your room. If you don't have live plants, you can use any incandescent or fluorescent lamps. For aquariums with live plants that require light for photosynthesis, special lamps with a specific emission spectrum must be used.

Proper lighting is one aspect of keeping an aquarium. Lighting will not only enhance the visual appeal of your aquarium, but will also ensure its development and well-being.

Choosing the right spectrum of lighting will help highlight the bright colors of your aquarium inhabitants.

8. Ceramics.

Clay materials can be used to create decorative elements of various shapes and sizes.

It is better to buy ready-made decorative ceramic products at a pet store; they are sold specially for aquariums and do not contain any harmful impurities.

9. Other items.

Pet stores are now full of a wide variety of aquarium decorations: castles, ships, skulls and chests, in general, the eyes run wild. Such decorations can make the aquarium landscape very interesting and unusual, the main thing is that the materials from which they are made are non-toxic.

Consider placing a focal point in the center of the aquarium such as a Large Rock/Plant or decoration with air bubbles escaping.

Various household items are suitable for decorating an aquarium. For example, ceramic or clay pots and saucers can be placed upside down as a shelter, having previously made an “entrance” into them. Fish sometimes like such caves even more than natural stone shelters. Only new clay products can be used for an aquarium, since this material is very porous and toxic substances that get into it cannot be removed even with very thorough cleaning. It is not recommended to use plastic products for decoration; the material may be toxic.

It is difficult to compare saltwater and freshwater aquariums - each style has its ardent supporters. But if you look at it objectively, it is difficult to compare marine aquariums with anything in terms of the colorfulness of flora and fauna. And observing the life of living corals, actinidia, and bright tropical fish is one of the most exciting activities.

A marine aquarium also has a huge disadvantage for the average aquarist - incredibly expensive equipment and maintenance, it costs tens of times more than usual. But there is a way out - to create a pseudo-sea at home, an aquarium with fresh water, in which the illusion of marine decoration is used. Bright colors of decorative elements (as a rule, these are plastic copies of living corals and sea polyps, shells, dry corals) and a special selection of fish will help create the illusion of the sea.

Selecting the scenery

As a rule, the soil is taken in a light shade - it can be coral chips, marble pebbles or quartzite. The background of the vessel is covered with a film of pure blue-blue color, it will create the illusion of depth. Artificial rocks are also preferable in light colors - they are attached with glue to the back and side walls of the aquarium and will be the basis for simulating a sea landscape.

Rocks can be decorated in advance with colorful latex imitations of marine flora and fauna - corals, polyps, sea anemones, exotic plants are sold in large pet stores.

By the way, dried corals and shells will add special authenticity to the underwater landscape. Please note that living plants are not planted in a pseudosea; too hard alkaline water will not allow the flora to develop normally. And fish in this kind of aquarium are planted with a fighting, aggressive character - they will irreparably damage the thickets.

If you brought corals or shells from the sea yourself, you need to thoroughly boil them, although after this the corals become more fragile. After boiling, wash them with a brush under strong water pressure to remove any remaining soft polyps. A longer, but gentler method is to treat with a weak solution of chlorine bleach and then soak the corals for two to three weeks with constant water changes.

Mother-of-pearl shells are not boiled - this causes the mother-of-pearl to fade.

Not every fish likes the pseudo-sea

Soil with a high calcium content, corals, and shells create increased water hardness in a pseudo-marine aquarium, a high content of calcium and magnesium salts, and a general high alkalinity of the water. Such conditions are not suitable for every fish.

The best adapted to hard water are African cichlids that live in the freshwater lakes of Malawi and Tanganyika (the composition of the water here is similar to that in your “sea”), and Australian iris. These fish are distinguished by bright colors, shapes and very interesting behavior. Cichlids for the most part are not schooling fish; among them there are both peaceful species and predators. Some of them aggressively defend their territory and will not get along with other fish species. It is also necessary to provide for the presence of shelters and grottoes.

Warmth, cleanliness and light - nothing is more important

Cichlids and rainbowfish are residents of warm regions; they need warm (25 - 27°C) and fresh water with high flow. The pseudosea will need a powerful filter and pump. After all, the absence of living plants makes the water especially susceptible to pollution; flora usually decomposes most of the waste products of fish. In addition, in a pseudo-marine aquarium there are a lot of porous surfaces (corals, limestone, calcium soils) - and these are excellent conditions for unwanted algae to settle on them. Therefore, you will need to install a biofilter, which, in addition to foam rubber or sponge, uses activated carbon. The filter productivity must be high - at least 1.5 aquarium volumes per hour.

As for light, the choice of lamps is determined only by decorative purposes. Cold-colored fluorescent lamps, whose spectrum is shifted to the blue part of the spectrum, are more suitable here. Avoid excessive light, as it provokes the development of green algae, which is almost impossible to remove from natural corals and limestones.

Even with perfect filtration and optimally selected lighting, it is impossible to maintain the dazzling snow-whiteness of corals in an aquarium. You can subject them to periodic bleaching or boiling, although in this case, over time, they become completely unusable - they crack and crumble. Latex jewelry is simpler in this regard; its surface is smooth and can be easily cleaned of bacterial plaque and algae growth. In addition, they can withstand repeated boiling.

Anyone who has ever seen corals in a sun-drenched lagoon of a tropical sea or in the ultramarine depths of Sharm El-Sheikh will forever retain the first impression - this is a real underwater paradise. Not all corals are equally attractive: there are reefs that are modestly colored, there are bright thickets, but together they form a wonderful underwater forest. I would like to take a couple of twigs from such a “forest” as a souvenir. This is not always possible, and it’s a shame to spoil the deep-sea landscape. I offer you an old, half-forgotten method of “growing” corals at home.

A ladle and saucepan, preferably steel, not aluminum or enameled (it is easy to remove paraffin residue from steel).
Small paraffin candles or white cinders. Once melted, they can be painted any color.
Oil paints in tubes, or food coloring.
Branches from any tree that have many raised buds and small knots - so the coral with its rough texture and shoots will form more naturally from the very beginning than, say, on a smooth twig.

Progress
We remove small candles in aluminum trays from the wick and from the tray. These candles are very convenient because the short wick can be easily pulled out of the candle and does not interfere with work. White candle stubs are also an option, but then you will have to catch the wick threads from the paraffin during melting. Paraffin should not be melted over an open fire or on a hob. Its vapors are highly flammable; in addition, paraffin, melted at high temperatures, becomes too liquid and does not stick to the branch. So it is best to melt candles in a water bath: it is safe and creates a liquid temperature that is comfortable for work. Fill the saucepan with water, check if there is too much of it by inserting a ladle with paraffin into the filled saucepan. Excess water is poured out. We can start. As soon as the candles have melted by more than half, you can remove the ladle from the water bath and begin “growing coral.” First, add a small drop of paint and knead a little. For me it was first ultramarine paint (for one branch), and then light green (for the second branch). I made the red coral branch in a separate saucepan. Place the branch over the container with paraffin and water, water, water, not forgetting to rotate the branch from time to time. At first it seems that nothing is happening, that the paraffin simply flows off, leaving no traces. But after a couple of minutes, interesting stalactites and streaks begin to emerge. The coral is formed, almost as it happens in nature. Only the material is different))) and the process proceeds hundreds of times faster!

We continue to water the branch even when the paraffin begins to harden, forming ice crystals. This way we get a characteristic rough surface with pointed processes, in contrast to the initial smooth ridges. The entire “growing” process takes 5-7 minutes.

We leave the finished coral branch to cool by sticking it into a bottle or vase and proceed to the next branch, adding brighter paint to the paraffin. I made turquoise coral, bluish green and pinkish red. You can make compositions from small twigs using shells, pebbles and glass beads for the aquarium.

Bright corals seem to glow from within. It’s hard to believe that they are not real, but artificial, “grown” in your own kitchen from the remains of paraffin candles! Try it! Making corals brings great aesthetic pleasure!
Tip: Remaining paraffin should not be poured into the sink or toilet. Let them set, then heat them slightly and remove them whole. Paraffin will also come in handy for other crafts!

If you are looking to create a unique aquascape within the walls of your home aquarium, you need to create your own aquarium decorations. For crafts, you can use both special materials from the store and improvised materials, but they are safe and pre-processed. Homemade decor can be made from natural or artificial raw materials; these can be simple or complex blanks. Simple decorations include the simplest grottoes, caves or wooden decks. Complex ones include sunken ships, chests, underwater cities, and bizarre underwater reefs.

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How to install a background yourself

A background composition made in the form of an imitation of a rocky bottom, a coral reef or thickets of dense plants can recreate a colorful perspective on the walls of the aquarium. Proper lighting and decoration of the back wall of the aquarium will attract the attention of caring admirers of marine aesthetics. Of course, it's all a matter of taste, because some people prefer a completely darkened background, while others want to see something exciting.

The second option is more appropriate because it provides the opportunity to dream up. You can apply beautiful ocean-themed patterns to the back wall of the tank using a special self-adhesive film with a print. An important aspect is to attach the material well to the glass. To do this, you need to degrease the surface of the glass with a special solution, then moisten the glass with water from a spray bottle, and carefully stick the sticker on. Then use a plastic card to align the pattern, removing air bubbles under the coating.

You can make a background using foam plastic. The material is absolutely harmless and easy to use. It is necessary to burn one side of the part until small bubbles appear. When it cools down, you need to apply a thin layer of cement to the surface of the abrasive. The result will be a gray relief, similar to an underwater rocky reef. It is attached with the decorated side to the back wall of the aquarium using tape. It looks beautiful and natural.

See how to make a background for an aquarium.

Coconut decorations

Coconut is not only a delicious food product, but also an excellent material for creating underwater decorations. The used coconuts, after a long processing process, turn into cute “houses”. You need to buy a solid, not rotten coconut, make a hole in it using a drill or hammer and nail, pour out or drink the liquid. Next, make a hole in the wall of the nut so that it is convenient to scrape out the pulp. The process is of course labor-intensive, but the result will please the eye. When the nut is prepared, it should be boiled in boiling water for 10 minutes. Place it in boiled water for a day, dry it, and place it in a tank. Fish will gnaw coconut fibers in a matter of days; the fibers are good for digestion. Coconuts can be made in the form of boats, caves, or houses.

Decorations made from wooden driftwood

If you find a dry root or tree sample, boil it thoroughly in water and salt for 6-12 hours. Next, steep the wood in boiled water for several days. Every day you need to pour out the old water and add fresh water. It is recommended to install the snag not in the corner of the tank, where it will easily swell and damage the glass. You can carve a wooden grotto in it, where the fish will happily hide.

Stone sculptures

Stone rocks look very interesting in an artificial reservoir, recreating the effect of an underwater volcanic environment. However, you should be very careful with stone decorations. Many minerals and rocks produce alkali, so they are not suitable for all fish. African cichlids, which have lived for centuries in slightly alkaline water, are more accustomed to pitfalls. Checking the alkalinity of a rock is simple: take table vinegar and drop it on the surface of the rock. If it starts to “hiss”, releasing foam, it means an alkaline reaction has begun.

See how to make a small stone grotto.

Before installing in the aquarium, stones and pebbles are processed by boiling in water for more than 10 minutes. Some breeds take longer. It is important that the edges of the stone block are not sharp or rough. Stones with a smooth surface treated from basalt, granite, sandstone can be harmless.

Clay and ceramic products

Clay is a useful substance that has a beneficial effect on the growth and health of plants. High-quality processed clay is an excellent material from which you can make beautiful caves and fish houses. What should you not make decorations from? From Chinese porcelain, that is, from dishes of this type. Ceramic clay pots and plates do no harm, but porcelain will be harmful. Therefore, be careful when choosing and installing any type of underwater decor.