Aquarium Decorations

There are a myriad of potential objects you could use to decorate your aquarium. You can look online, in books, magazines, pet stores, or in nature for inspiration. Keep in mind that not everything will be aquarium safe. These items may release dangerous chemical toxins, affect water chemistry, be too sharp, too tacky (just kidding!), or they may contain diseases/pathogens. That warning said, here is a list of items you can use to style up your aquarium. Adding decorations help reduce territoriality, stress, and makes your fish feel more at home.

Part I: Rocks

-Slate/Slate chips (inert)
- Lava Rock (inert)
- Large, smooth river stones (inert)
- Round Granite boulders (inert)
- Coal, Basalt, Flint, Sandstone, Quartz (inert)
- Chalk, Limestone, Marble, Tufa, Ocean Rock (Calcareous; raises PH; used for marine/brackish aquariums)
- Crushed or intact shells

Part II: Wood

- Driftwood (natural or store bought) (I.e. Mopani, Jati)
- Bogwood
- Cork Bark
- Dried Tree branches aka Brushwood
- Bamboo
- Twisted tree roots

Part II: Shelter

- Artificial wood caves
- Rock caves (bound by silicone sealant)
- Castles, coliseums, temples
- Huts/Houses/Cabins
- Terracotta pot on its side
- Terracotta saucer
- Plant thickets

Part III: Plants

- See article on Beginner Aquatic Plants (live)
- Plastic plants
- Silk plants
- Aquarium plastic sheet background of plants.


And of course there's the hundreds of "other" decorations ranging from plastic dinosaurs to rocket ships.

Common Aquarium Plants for Beginners

*above: cool pic of a planted tank I found on Aquarium Advice

This post is as much dedicated to you as it is a reference for me.

Plant Name - Light Requirements - Level of Difficulty

1. Vallisneria - Med Light - Easy
2. Ludwigia - High Light - Easy
3. Java Fern - Low Light - Easy
4. Java Moss - Low Light - Easy
5. Hornwort - High light - Easy
6. Cabomba - High Light - Med
7. Anarchis - Med Light - Easy
8. Hygrophila - High Light - Easy
9. Water Wisteria - High Light - Easy
10. Anubias - Low Light - Easy
11. Dwarf Hairgrass - Med Light - Med
12. Dwarf Sword- High light - Med
13. Crypt - Low Light - Med
14. Moss Balls - Med Light - Easy
15. Frogbits - High Light - Easy
16. Lesser Duckweed - High Light - Easy