Cheap Ways to Decorate a Fish Tank

Now that you've spent time and money on the fish colony of your dreams, it is understandable that you want to house your underwater pets in an appropriately attractive aquatic oasis. There are countless fish tank decorations on the market, but you don't have to spend a fortune on these items. Inexpensive fish tank decorations can be purchased at any pet or aquarium store, and even with a small budget, you will be well on your way to providing an attractive home for your fish.

Plastic plants are one of the more popular decorations for fish tanks and are sold in a wide variety of colors, shapes and sizes. Because the items are made from plastic, you can usually find these decorations for under $10. Make sure you investigate any budget plastic plants or discounted plastic plants to ensure they are for use in a fish tank. Any plastic plants that are molded around metal could rust and cause toxins that harm your fish.

Artificial driftwood is usually made of plastic and is designed to resemble authentic driftwood. The benefit of artificial driftwood is not only is it usually cheaper than real driftwood but it also does not get water clogged or moldy. As with all synthetic materials, make sure the artificial driftwood is appropriate for use in aquariums. If you have fish whose instinct it is to eat driftwood, such as pleco, you should not use artificial driftwood in your tank, as they prefer the real thing.

Aquarium rocks can be surprisingly expensive, especially if the rocks are authentic. Unfortunately, aquarium rocks provide shelter and stress-relief for most fish and should be used in large tanks. Therefore, look for rocks that are made of synthetic materials, such as heavy plastic or even ceramic. These rocks won't be as expensive as the real rocks but will look almost identical in the water.

Ornaments come in the widest variety of decorations for fish tanks. From scenes of ship wrecks to ancient ruins, ornaments add color and action to your fish tank in addition to offering fish a playful course for activity and hiding. Because ornaments are so widely available, they also come in a variety of materials. Plastic and synthetic materials are easily found in stores and will be the best for a budget-conscious purchase. Look for ornaments that are listed as nontoxic and are made without metals, which can rust easily.