The best part of owning a fish isn’t just the fish itself, but decorating the tank!
With so many cool aquarium decoration ideas out there as to what would make the best tank, it might be hard to think of what will be best. That’s why we’ve provided you ten of the coolest fish tank decorating ideas to get your creative juices flowing and fish tank poppin’.
All should be pretty affordable and shouldn’t require breaking the bank. The most important thing is creativity and an artistic vision for your fish, after all.
Further Reading: Liven up your aquarium with some great fish tank decorations. Find the latest fish tank decor ideas.
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Our Top 5 Aquarium Decoration Ideas
Of all the ideas below, our top idea is one of the FASTEST and EASIEST things you could add to your tank. Oh, did I mention it also absorbs nitrates, phosphates, and other organic waste from the water.
Image | Title | Prime | Buy |
---|---|---|---|
Top![]() | Lifegard Aquatics 25G-Smoky Smoky Mountain Stone 25G Rock Kit | PrimeEligible | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | 5 Pieces 5-6" Long Natural Cholla Wood for Aquarium Decoration by NilocG Aquatics | Prime | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Marina Ecoscaper Hydrocotyle Silk Plant Plant, 8-Inch | PrimeEligible | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Penn-Plax Officially Licensed Nickelodeon SpongeBob Aquarium Ornament – SpongeBob’s Pineapple House - Perfect for Fish to Swim In and Around - Full Color 6" Decoration | PrimeEligible | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Uniclife 6 Pcs Glowing Jellyfish Ornament Decoration for Aquarium Fish Tank | PrimeEligible | Buy On Amazon |
1. Blue and Pink Spongebob Paradise
Photo Credit Twitter
The attractive contrast between the blue and purple pebbles instantly draws the eye.
The color variation between the plants adds a more diverse color palette to this aquarium decoration idea while drawing attention to the beloved pineapple home found under the sea, a reference to the famed kid’s show Spongebob.
The bridge is another inexpensive feature you can add to the tank, making it seem like your fish are trekking to and from their pineapple home every day.
It’s a dazzling tank that’s sure to add vibrancy to the room it’s in while making your fish happy.
Want this look? Here’s what you need:
- SpongeBob SquarePants Pineapple House
- Pink and Blue aquarium gravel
- Small bridge ornament
- More fish toy options
2. Bam-Buddha Forest
Photo Credit Twitter
A zen little tank with an intelligent vibe to it and difference in the usual vegetation you’d find in tanks.
Bamboo will easily stay in the water and hold up well over time—and add a wonderful feature to any interior design.
Besides, by being compact, your fish can easily swim past the stalks while still giving the tank a full forest feel. And the Buddha itself can be found in most fish stores or online.
While the variety of shapes or positions differs, the Buddha elicits a calming vibe with clarity and quietness. And, who knows, decorating your tank with the Buddha can bring you good karma.
Want a zen tank? Here’s what you need:
3. Beach to Jungle
The best part about this tank is that it gives your fish a little bit of variety. If a fish wants a little space, it can go to the plant-sparse side of the tank, or if it wants to hide, it can go into the “jungle.”
Therefore, it gives your tank a dynamic contrast that both you and your fish will enjoy.
Getting the sand and different plants shouldn’t be too expensive since a variety of plants found in the fish store will do. Alternatively, if you want something more authentic, you can buy live aquatic plants to adorn your cool aquarium.
Whatever you decide, this tank will feel like a living portrait in your home or office.
Want this look? Here’s what you need:
- Carib Sea Super Natural Moonlight Sand
- Seachem Flourite Live Plant Substrate
- Universal Rocks
- Aquarium Driftwood
- 6 Species Live Aquarium Plants
4. Yellow Submarine
The chaoticness of this tank is the most intriguing thing about it.
With the variety of plants and an awesome yellow submarine in the corner, it feels as if the submarine crashed on the shore of an exotic island, giving the tank an adventurous tone to it. The fish can swim around the plants or stay more towards the top for more breathing space.
Also, the yellow submarine is a nice nod to the Beatles song, so if you’re a fan of them, then you’ll love this fish tank idea.
Love the Beatles? Here’s what you need:
5. Eastern Forest Getaway
Photo Credit Twitter
With the diversity of what appears to be living plants, this tank gives an authentic feel to the interior design of any room that I’m sure you and your fish will enjoy.
The plants grow to the top of the tank couple with shorter plants close to the gravel provide a nice vertical contrast that’s sure to draw eyes and nods of approval.
The Japanese looking temple and rock structure give the tank an ancient look and provide a calm, chill vibe to the overall aesthetic.
Perhaps getting the living plants will cost a bit more money, but it will be worth it when it ties together the overall style of the tank.
Want this look? Here’s what you need:
- 6 Species Live Aquarium Plants
- Japanese Garden Bridge
- Japanese Garden Castle
6. Super Mario Fish Tank
Gamers will appreciate this next design.
The 8-bit structures of the staircase and castle are replicas of the structures found in the original Super Mario Bros game. The Goombas, small original Mario, and even floating bricks and question boxes are also a reference to the original game, which I’m sure will draw laughs out of all your guests who see it.
With a Super Mario Bros inspired tank, there’s no way you can’t invite people over to play the game, making this tank a nice aesthetically pleasing tank as well as a reason to invite people over.
While it may be difficult to find pieces of the game to buy, you might be able to make replicas out of Legos or other plastic craft pieces.
All in all, it’s an expertly decorated tank that your fish will love.
Sorry, But Our Princess Is In Another Tank…Here’s what you need:
Tip: A lot of aquarists use Krylon Fusion Paint in their aquariums to seal or paint homemade decorations. Kyrlon Fusion comes in a few colours as well as clear. Read our post DIY Homemade Decoartion Ideas and learn how to prepare any DIY decorations you’re thinking of putting in your tank.
7. Floating Rock Planet Fish Tank
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxg_Sez0AVs
We’ve been talking about things to put on the bottom of your tank, but finding decorations to hang from the top is a genius and horrendously unexplored idea.
By hanging rocks from the top of the mesh cover, you can give your tank the appearance of a different planet, one unhindered by the restrictions of gravity. Your fish can swim under, over, or around the rocks, and probably be stimulated by the novelty of it.
You and your guests will be too since this is an awesome fish tank idea that you can do a lot with—perfect for the man cave!
Recreate Pandora…Here’s what you need:
8. Aquascaping
The best part about this tank is the symmetry. With the walk perfectly aligned in the middle, with plants growing on either side of it, you get an artistic tank with a space of environmental greenery thrown in.
By using real plants, the authenticity will be a pleasant sight to see as well as being better for your fish’s health. Overall, it’s a difficult task to accomplish, but it is amazing if you can pull it off.
I know you want to try it!… Here’s what you need:
- Skill
- Patience
- And this book – Sunken Gardens: A Step-by-Step Guide to Planting Freshwater Aquariums
9. The Log Cabin
By attaching a hollowed-out log to your tank (wherever you decide to put it), your fish can enjoy swimming in and out of it while you’ll enjoy the clever pun.
It’s an easy addition to add, and the log can be found online or at most fish stores.
If you have a Betta…Here’s what you need:
10. The Tiny Fish Home
After a hard day of swimming around and eating food, your fish will want to come home, lay down on the la-z-boy, and watch the evening news… or so it appears with this awesome fish tank, made out of an antique television.
The tiny recliners, coffee table, lamp, and even TV, this fish tank will be amazing if you can find an antique TV to put your tank in, decorated the way it is in the picture.
Even if you can’t, finding or making small chairs, tables, and couches will be cute enough on its own for your fish’s literal home.
Build your dream home…Here’s what you need:
Those were some of the coolest fish tank decorating ideas around. Get inspired and add some new decorations to your fish tank today!
Frequently Asked Questions:
How Can I Decorate My Fish Tank?
You can use different substrate combinations like sand, gravel, and soil. Or use rocks, plants, and driftwood for a natural-looking tank. Or even try toys or lego. Check out our Aquarium Ideas on Pinterest.
How Can I Make My Fish Tank More Interesting?
To make your tank more interesting, create a theme or setting — for example, an underwater castle or Buddha shrine. You can even recreate your favorite star wars scene.
Can You Put Plastic Toys In A Fish Tank?
Yes, most hard plastic toys and figurines can be placed in aquariums. However, if you’re not sure if they will be safe for your aquarium, you can protect them by using an aquarium safe sealant. Read our post on DIY Homemade Decoration Ideas.
Further Reading: Check Out Our List Of Essential Aquarium Equipment For More Great Ideas.
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