Add Tranquil Beauty to Your Living Room or Den with an Aquarium

A great way to add color, beauty and tranquility to your living room or den is to set up an aquarium.  Aquariums can be colorful and unique, but they can also create a relaxing atmosphere in a room.  Here are some tips for setting up your aquarium to match your room decor.

Aquarium Colors The colors in your aquarium can be matched with the color schemes of the room.  For example, a room where bright colors such as red, blue, orange, green or yellow are emphasized can be enhanced with fun bright colors in your aquarium.

Add some yellow or green rocks to the bottom floor of the aquarium.  Then, top the pebbles with several colorful accessories such as coral, plants, statues or toys.  Place bright-colored tropical or exotic fish in the tank to complement the accessories.

In a room with natural pastel colors or earth tones, the aquarium can be designed differently. Choose sand-toned pebbles and beige, pink and light blue accessories for your aquarium to enhance this type of room decor.  Goldfish and black or yellow fish will blend great with these colors.  However, don't hesitate to choose a variety of fish for either tank design.

Bubbles

There are small devices that can produce bubbles  inside your aquarium.  These bubbles help the water circulate and produce oxygen for the fish. You can use accessories that make bubbles or a bubble curtain.  A bubble curtain is a long plastic bar that can be placed at the back wall of your aquarium.  The bubble curtain produces an entire wall of bubbles that are very soothing to watch.

Choose Only Healthy Fish

To keep an aquarium running adequately, you must first choose healthy fish.  Check with your local pet store to find some great fish varieties. Observe the tank where the fish abide in the store.  Are there any dead fish in the tank?  Do all fish in the tank appear healthy and energetic, or sluggish?  Only buy fish that are being kept in a healthy environment.  Otherwise, you might buy a sick fish that will die shortly after being transported to your new tank.  Also, be sure to buy fish that are compatible together. 

Some fish are loners, some mix and blend only with certain other types of fish.  Ask the pet store clerk if you're not sure.

Some Helpful Aquarium Tips

Before adding fish to your aquarium, add the necessary balancing chemicals to the water 24 hours in advance.  This chemical usually requires so many drops per gallon of water in your tank, so follow the instructions carefully.  Make sure the filter is operating smoothly.  Also, you might need an aquarium heater or chiller to control the tank's temperature. 

Adding Fish to Your Aquarium

When you bring a fish home from the pet store, add both the fish and the water from the store's aquarium to your tank.  Adding the water is important because it blends bacteria with your fresh water.  This bacteria is produced by fish and is usually necessary for good health.

Changing the Aquarium Water

Another critical time of caring for your aquarium is when you need to change the aquarium water. Never empty a tank completely and refill with new fresh water.  This is when many people lose their fish.  Always leave at least half of the bacteria-rich water, and then fill the rest of  he tank with fresh water.  This should be done when cleaning the tank as well.

Feeding Your Fish

How you feed your fish is also important.  Feed them a small portion of fish food each morning. Don't over feed them.  They will eat no matter how much you give them, but it's not healthy for them.  And finally, change the filter on your aquarium often (at least once a month) to keep the water clean and clear.

You'll find an aquarium to be a delightful addition to your living room or den decor.  The  colors in the aquarium and the fish will make an interesting conversation piece when guests visit, and you can watch the fish any time you need to relax.

Article written by Candice Pardue, web content and brochure writer. Go here to license an article like this for your website or publication.