Decorating an aquarium can make the difference between boring and eye-popping. Some people prefer only real decorations, such as live plants, real rocks and driftwood. Others prefer themed aquariums, while others favor wild colors and unusual decorations. These are a few interesting items that I found when searching for aquarium decorations.

Cichlid Stones

There is no question that many cichlids species do best in rocky habitats. However, finding aquarium safe rocks and time to create a safe and attractive display is a challenge. That's why I was intrigued with the alternative of custom made cichlid rocks. Although they are artificial, they look darned close to the real thing. What’s better is the fact that they are not as heavy as real rocks and not as likely to scratch or break acrylic or glass tanks. Available in several sizes and shaped with strategically placed openings, they made it easy for me to quickly set up a great looking habitat for my cichlids. The stones come packaged individually or in 2, 3, 10, or 15 stone packages.Buy from Amazon »

Slate Rock Kits

Another way to create a rocky aquarium landscape is to use slate rock. I’ve come across several options, including kits to make pre-designed formations, as well as collections of slate pieces that can be put to together any way you choose. Any of them can be used in a variety of ways, either for a rock only habitat, or with plants and other decor. I particularly liked using them together with live plants to create a stunning habitat for a community of fish.More »

Landscape Walls / Sand Banks

Landscape walls are just want they sound like – an artificial wall that can be used to create a tiered landscape in your aquarium. I was a bit skeptical of this product, because I thought it was simply a gimmick. However, I tried it out and was pleasantly surprised. It looked good, and held up well over time. These are designed for larger tanks, so keep that in mind. Also, be aware that some have reported that the colors faded or even flaked off. I used the gray walls and did not experience that problem, so perhaps it’s a factor of which color you purchase. They come in grey/green and red/brown versions.Buy from Amazon »

Rock Backgrounds

One way to augment your aquarium habitat is to add a rock background, and I mean real rock, not a flat photo. Universal Rock Aquarium Backgrounds Rock is no ordinary flat photograph type of background. Instead, it is a three dimensional formed background that was molded from actual rock to give a realistic shape. Hand colored using crushed rock and sand, rather than paint, it looks quite authentic. It takes a bit of work to install, as it has to be cut to fit, then installed using silicone. However, the end result is worth the effort.Buy from Amazon »

Mushroom Rock

This little poly-resin aquarium ornament is one that caught my eye when browsing shops recently. I didn’t purchase it, because I was traveling. However, I did envision it in a planted aquarium, and thought it would look quite nice in the proper setting. If you’ve used one in your aquascaping, let me know how it worked out for you. Better yet, share a photo.More »

Rock with Plants

Another rocky decoration alternative is an artificial rock with artificial plants attached to it. These are particularly helpful in tanks with highly active fish that tend to uproot plants. It’s hard to uproot a plant that is permanently connected to a rock. Cleaning is as simple as removing the ornament and rinsing, or soaking in a 10% bleach solution for a few minutes.More »

Hideaway Pipes

Moss covered ‘hideaway pipes’ is another aquarium decoration I stumbled across when I was browsing shops during a trip. I’d never seen something quite like it, at least not on a store shelf. Made by Penn Plax, they are inexpensive and looked fairly realistic. I’m sure that fish would enjoy exploring them, not to mention using them as a nifty hiding place. The neat part is, you don’t have to worry about cleaning algae off them, because it would just enhance the appearance of the décor!More »

Underwater River

This is one of the more interesting looking decorations, but does it really look as good as the pictures? I haven’t tried it myself, but the feedback I’ve received is quite mixed. Either people have loved it, or they say it doesn’t work at all. It works by submerging a clear plastic ‘river’ housing which is then attached to an air pump. Bubbles move along the housing giving the impression of moving water on the bottom of the tank. An ornamental bridge is included to place at the end of the housing, allowing the bubbles to gently rise behind it. I believe the disparity between owner feedback has more to do with the accompanying décor than the functioning of the underwater river. If the substrate is on the darker side, and lighting a bit subdued, the bubbles tend to glisten more like water. Bright lights and light colored substrate tend to have the opposite effect.More »

Glowing Jellyfish

Yes, this may look a little cheesy, and I admit it’s probably not something I’d put in my own aquarium. However, for children it’s quite the opposite. They love the glow in the dark jellyfish, especially at night. Furthermore, if parents don’t want the upkeep of real fish, the glowing jellyfish can be the only thing in the tank. In addition to jellyfish, they are also available in goldfish and lionfish versions. The lionfish comes in glowing and non-glowing versions, the non-glowing one being awfully realistic. I was in a fish shop and saw that version set up in a freshwater tank with a bunch of African Cichlids. For a split second I was so fooled that I was scratching my head wondering how they kept lionfish in a freshwater tank (and with Africans to boot). It was definitely a great conversation piece.More »

Hydor H2Show

Hydor makes a line of aquarium decorations that combine an ornament with bubbles and lights, and in some cases, color changing lights. The effect can be quite attractive when in the right setting. Lakes, volcanoes, stumps, pyramids, and even a crystal skull are all offered in this line of decorative bubblers. Hydor also offers backgrounds that match the decorations. If you like creating a themed aquarium, this may be right up your alley.More »