| Aquariums and fish keeping have come a long way | | | | toxins. For the pH, the best way to test a stone is |
| from the preserves of the rich, when they first | | | | by pouring some drops of a weak acid on the stone |
| became fashionable, to a hobby every modern man | | | | and see if it reacts. If it does, it's probably not safe |
| may want to indulge in. The color an aquarium adds | | | | to use in your aquarium. But if you are not sure, or if |
| to a living room cannot be compared with mere | | | | you want to play safe, it is always better to get |
| furniture. | | | | aquarium stones from your local pet shop or aquarist |
| Most owners would naturally want to make the most | | | | center, at least that will give you peace of mind. |
| of their aquariums by making them attractive and | | | | Besides the aesthetic value, your fish will appreciate |
| filling them with healthy fish. An important part of | | | | the presence of stones and rocks in their water, as |
| keeping that aquarium of your dream is to be | | | | they can be arranged to create caves and hiding |
| creative and make use of aesthetic aquarium | | | | places. |
| decorations. Apart from creating a more natural | | | | Besides stones and rocks, other decorations you |
| abode for your fish, aquarium decorations create a | | | | may find suitable for your aquarium are drift wood |
| more stimulating landscape for the viewer; adding | | | | and mangrove. Not only can these be a very |
| that extra color to your living room. | | | | attractive decoration for your aquarium but some |
| As with any form of decoration, there are a lot of | | | | people believe that some fish require these materials |
| alternatives you could choose from, when it comes | | | | to thrive. The only catch here is that drift wood |
| to giving your aquarium that natural look. Thus, | | | | should only be used as decoration in aquariums that |
| different people hold different beliefs about what | | | | have slightly acidic pH water. This is because wood |
| should be and what shouldn't be used in an aquarium | | | | has a tendency to lower pH levels of water and |
| as decoration. However, the bottom line is that | | | | sometimes causes increased hardness of water. |
| personal preferences come first here. You should be | | | | However, the beauty it brings to your aquarium is |
| free to decorate your aquarium with whatever item | | | | worth the extra effort in keeping the water as it |
| you think is OK, as long as it is not harmful to the | | | | should be. |
| fish. After all, it's your aquarium and you should like | | | | What about corals and shells? These are wonderful |
| how it looks. Now let's take a look at some natural | | | | decorations for your aquarium, but they don't work |
| objects that can add that extra effect to your | | | | well in fresh water and should perhaps be avoided as |
| aquarium. | | | | much as possible, as they tend to be harmful to |
| The first items we will consider here are stones and | | | | fresh water fish. However, in marine aquariums, |
| rocks. These make excellent natural decorations for | | | | corals and shells constitute a great way to add some |
| your aquarium. One question that needs to be | | | | natural beauty to your aquarium and could even be |
| attended to here is whether you can use stones you | | | | very helpful to your fishes. |
| collected yourself. Naturally, there should be nothing | | | | This is in no way exhaustive; there are still several |
| wrong with decorating your aquarium with your own | | | | ways and items that can be used to adorn your |
| collection of stones, however, you will have to be | | | | aquarium, you only need to be creative. However, |
| sure that these stones won't affect the pH level of | | | | make sure whatever you put in your aquarium is not |
| your aquarium and that they do not contain harmful | | | | harmful to those lovely fish. |