How to Set Up a Fish Tank Guide and Useful Tips

A fish tank serves as more than a medium to keep your fish. This is a decoration element that needs to be integrated into your design for a balanced setting. So, setting up a fish tank is a more complex process. Hence, prepare for great care, if you want to achieve a satisfactory result. Don't miss on the opportunity to transform your home into a lively and colorful space!

How to choose the adequate fish tank, to match the interior design of your home

Whatever the interior design of your space - modern, minimalist, classic, rustic, or eclectic - the fish tank should match it. Of course, if you like contrasts and prefer an eye-catcher, you can also go for a contrasting-style fish tank. Keep in mind to consider the size and shape of the fish tank, judging by the space available and your personal preferences. Rectangular fish tanks are the standard. Those can easily match a modern or even minimalist setting, mainly with a marble-topped table, for example. However, there are also hexagonal, cylindrical, or even cubic, suitable for a luxurious, elegant, or even Art Deco-style room.

Choosing the material for your fish tank

Fish tanks can be produced from many materials, such as glass, acrylic, or plastic. Hence, by choosing the right material, you’ll make a significant difference to the final look. Usually, a plastic aquarium is best for casual or modern decor, but it can also be integrated into an eclectic, retro, or vintage setting. In modern style, an acrylic aquarium can be a key element of interior design. The combination of glass and water with fish or plants can create a visually stunning effect, thus providing a spectacular accent in any room.

Another style of interior design that favors an acrylic aquarium is minimalist. The simple and elegant look of the aquarium can be complemented by clean lines and neutral colors. For this design style, a smaller aquarium can be placed on a countertop/table to be admired without being too intrusive.

The glass aquarium, on the other hand, is the most practical and can blend harmoniously into all styles: modern, eclectic, and even rustic or classic.

Choice of colors

It is important to choose a fish tank that matches the room shades. These include the colors of the stones, sand, and plants in the aquarium, as well as the materials used for the aquarium furniture and stands. If warm colors such as beige, brown, or orange prevail, you can opt for a similarly colored aquarium, such as a glass aquarium with a natural wood frame or a clear acrylic aquarium with a warm light. If the room is dominated by cool colors such as blue, green, or grey, you can choose a glass aquarium with a modern, minimalist design or an acrylic aquarium with white or blue lights.

How to set up your aquarium for a successful decor?

How to decorate your fish tank?

To make sure the fish blends perfectly within the design style, it is important to coordinate the decorative elements inside and outside the aquarium, with the room ambience. Choose plants, stones, and other decorative elements that match the theme and color palette of the room. For example, for a minimalist design, choose simple plants and stones with clean lines, while for a rustic design, you can opt for lush plants and decorative elements made of wood or natural stone. If the room is decorated in a tropical style, you can opt for plants and stones that are specific to this style.

Aquarium lighting

Lighting plays an essential role in enhancing the aquarium and its decorative elements. By choosing the right lighting, you can accentuate the visual aspects of your aquarium to better integrate it into the interior design of your home. It is advisable to choose ambient lighting that matches the rest of the lights in the room to create a pleasant atmosphere. You can also opt for LED lights of different colors to add a spectacular effect to the aquarium interior.

If the room has strong, cool lighting, you can opt for aquarium lights with a cool or blue hue to complement the overall atmosphere. If the room has warm lighting with yellow or orange tones, aquarium lights with a pink or purple tint can be chosen to create a pleasant contrast. In addition, the decor in the room can be taken into account when choosing aquarium lights. For example, if the room has natural elements, such as plants and wood, you can choose to have aquarium lights in a shade of green or yellow to emphasize these elements.

Aquarium support

Customizing your aquarium stand can add a unique and original element to your space. Use natural plants to decorate the stand. You can also use decorative elements such as natural stone, shells, or even wood to build a unique decor. If you don't want to personalize the stand yourself, you can start by choosing a stand with a specific pattern, mosaics, engravings, or decorations to suit your personal taste. Later, you can choose a lamp that emits indirect light or use spotlights to highlight the decorative elements on the stand.

Aquarium backdrop

Creating a themed backdrop can add a touch of creativity and uniqueness. Choose a theme that matches your home's interior design and use props such as photographs, paintings, or synthetic materials to create the backdrop. Help yourself by using rocks or decorative natural stones to create a natural background. These can be arranged to create a scene that matches the room's decor, such as a mountainous landscape or coral reef.

All in all, setting up an aquarium is a creative and enjoyable process that can bring an aesthetic and relaxing addition to your home. Choosing the right aquarium and integrating the design harmoniously into your design style is essential to achieve a great result. In addition, don't forget to experiment with different ideas and combinations of materials to put your personal stamp on your aquarium.