Do-it-yourself corals for the aquarium. All about artificial plants for the aquarium. Coconut as an aquarium decorative element

In this article I would like to talk about the master class " Sea with your own hands" held on March 15, 2014 in St. Petersburg at 158 ​​Stachek Avenue, in the salon-shop of the Zhivaya Voda company. I would like to note that the company "Zhivaya Voda" constantly holds various events, seminars and master classes, for which many thanks to her! Information is presented in such a way that it is equally interesting for aquarists of different ages and with different levels of knowledge. You can view all past seminars, as well as get information about upcoming events on the website of the Zhivaya Voda company http://vitawater.ru/.

Master class program

Sea with your own hands

• General overview of the device marine aquarium and goods for the master class
• Aquarium installation, soil laying, equipment installation
• Preparation of sea water using osmosis and sea salt. Sea water testing.
• Interior Design marine aquarium how to properly lay out a reef.
• Bay of prepared water, connection of equipment.
• Selection and boarding of inhabitants marine aquarium, placement of corals.
• Aquarium care.

Master Class Sea with your own hands conducted by a professional aquarist Yury Vasilyevich Chikhachev

For the master class, a stylish seamless aquarium made of optiwhite glass was chosen. The volume of the aquarium is about 50 liters. Black background, pre-pasted on the back wall of the aquarium.

Installation of lighting on the aquarium. LED lamp, 11 W, can be installed both above the surface of the water and completely submerged in water, magnet mount, which allows you to set any angle of illumination. One of the novelties on the Russian market.

Pennik installation (skimmer, flotator). The skimmer is mounted on the back wall of the aquarium, its task is to remove excess organic matter from the system, it also collects the film from the surface and saturates the water with oxygen.

Overview of the flow pump of the Rossmont Mover M3400 flow pump, another of the new products on the Russian market.

The pump is needed marine aquarium to create a current that is set in such a way that the water flow created by the pump “blows” the living stones, thereby providing filtration.

Next install the cooling fans. Comfortable temperature for residents marine aquarium is 24-25 degrees, as a rule there are no problems with heating water, but more often there is a need for cooling water. The fans are mounted on the wall of the aquarium, are easily adjustable and do their job perfectly by lowering the temperature in the aquarium by 2-4 degrees.

The next step is to lay the soil in the aquarium, in this case coral sand, with a layer of about 2-3 cm.

The next important point in the organization seas, water treatment. Water is prepared using a reverse osmosis system, in no case should you use water directly from the water supply without first cleaning it.

The next stage is the salting of osmosis water.

The salinity level of the water is checked using a hydrometer or refractometer.

At all stages of setting up a marine aquarium, water parameters are monitored using tests.

Installation of live stones, laying out the reef.

After creating the composition, pouring the prepared sea water, in this case, a small pump is used to pump water from the tank.

Running residents. Here it is necessary to dwell on one point in the master class sea ​​with your own hands, the launch of the aquarium took place in a forced mode due to time constraints, moreover, the launch was led by a professional aquarist.

final look marine aquarium launched at the master class sea ​​with your own hands in the Living Water Company.

I hope you liked the short photo-video report Sea with your own hands

Leave comments on this article, I will gladly try to answer all your questions.

Today, fortunately, there are many beautiful and stylish aquarium decorations, there is plenty to choose from even for the most fastidious minimalist taste - you can find what you like.

Before you fill the aquarium with water and let the fish into it, you need to decide on the design of the aquarium and the decorations that you will use.

To create a beautiful landscape in a domestic pond, driftwood, stones and other decorative ornaments, both natural and artificial, are used.

1. Soil for an aquarium.

You can fill the selected soil with the desired layer on the bottom of the aquarium to create a base / foundation for decorative elements. There are many different types of soil, both specialty and decorative, all in different colors and sizes/fractions. You can choose from natural and colored soils the colors you need - blue, green and others, or mixtures in any variations, now there is even glow-in-the-dark gravel in the novelties of the zoo market.

Use a dark ground color if you have bright and colorful fish. You can also replace gravel with quartz sand.

2. Stones.

You can choose natural or artificial stones - this is one of the significant elements in the design of the aquarium. They are intended not only for decoration, but also serve as a shelter for certain types of fish, some aquarium plants are strengthened on the stones. They can completely or partially hide the equipment placed in the aquarium, and are necessary to create decorative terraces.

You can generally use natural rocks, but just test them for any toxic chemicals before putting them in aquariums. The stones must not be "weak", otherwise they will crumble/disintegrate after a few days in the water. So better choose from lava, sandstone, shale, granite, basalt and quartz.

All these misunderstandings and manipulations can be avoided if you purchase stones at a pet store.

The shape of the stones is selected depending on the planned landscape and the purposes for which they are placed in the aquarium. In any case, sharp stones should not be placed in the aquarium, on the edges of which fish can get hurt. All large stones should be laid directly on the bottom of the aquarium, otherwise the fish will be able to undermine the soil under the stone, which can lead to unpleasant situations. Near the walls, stones should be installed close to the glass or leave enough space for aquarium fish to swim freely between them.

It is desirable to fix large stone layers that form caves and crevices with silicone sealant.

If you feel that natural stones do not look exotic enough or simply do not suit you, then there is now a large selection of stones made of artificial materials that have a more realistic appearance. They are also much lighter and more porous and therefore do not displace as much water as natural stone. Some, in particular, call grotto stones - they fit perfectly into the living landscape, while others - pieces of lava, have a red tint and look especially impressive under the red spectrum of lighting.

Large items should be on the sides and back of the tank, while smaller items look better in a group.

3. Driftwood.

They create a natural and distinctive landscape in the aquarium, and are also a shelter for fish, a support for plants and terraces. The wood used for the aquarium should only be dead, the juices of a living tree can cause poisoning of aquarium inhabitants.

It is best if tree roots that have been in the water for a long time are used as snags. Both branches and roots of willow, beech, alder, maple and ash will do. Driftwood from polluted reservoirs is not suitable for a home pond. Before installation, the driftwood must be cleaned of dirt, bark, air must be removed, due to which the wood can float, and washed very well under a running stream of water.

On sale there are various types and forms of natural driftwood specially prepared for aquariums, some of them, for example, mangrove roots do not require pre-soaking - they are heavier than water.

There are many artificial snags that perfectly imitate spreading branches, tree bark and roots. They look quite realistic and are usually made from polymer resins.

4. Plants.

Today, artificial plants along with live plants are used to decorate aquariums.

Living plants have the greatest advantage over artificial decorations. The advantage of using live plants is that they promote oxygenation and nitrogen removal in aquariums. Plants provide hiding places for fish and also act as breeding grounds. In addition, live plants add realism to the aquarium.

Artificial plants also add beauty to the aquarium and are easy to clean. If a person is thinking about keeping fish that can damage live plants, then consider using artificial plants in an aquarium.

If you arrange your aquarium decorations properly, they will form hiding places and natural boundaries and make the aquarium look more like your fish's natural habitats.

With artificial plants, you can show your creative side by choosing colorful flowering plants rather than the usual green ones. With a huge variety of shapes, sizes and colors of artificial plants that are now available in pet stores, you can decorate your aquarium in absolutely any style, whether it be Pop Art or a Fantasy space landscape.

5. Shells and corals.

Not suitable for every aquarium, as they change the acidity (PH) of water and its hardness. However, some fish simply need them for shelter and spawning. It is advisable to use shells that have been in the water for a long time without their "legal owner", it is impossible to place shells with the remains of dead mollusks in a pond, as well as painted or varnished shells. Sinks should be well cleaned in all accessible places.

Aquarium stores also carry artificial shells, corals and whole coral reefs, which are made from neutral materials and do not affect the water parameters in the aquarium.

6. Background.

First of all, it is necessary to decide whether it will be external or internal.

The latter must be designed and fixed before filling the aquarium with water. For the interior background, you can use only non-toxic glue, paints and materials or purchase ready-made ones, but unfortunately, ready-made interior volumetric / 3D backgrounds are quite expensive, although they are impressively realistic.

Pre-made images of the natural landscape sold in pet stores - background film, are attached to the outside of the back surface of the aquarium using adhesive tape or other suitable adhesive. This is a quick and easy solution, especially for those who don't want to spend a lot of time setting up a background. Instantly creates visual appeal, creates the illusion of more space in the aquarium and adds depth, and hides wires and hoses from equipment.

7. Lighting.

Lighting your aquarium, especially after dark, creates beautiful effects in your room. If you do not have live plants, you can use any incandescent or fluorescent lamps. Aquariums with live plants that need light for photosynthesis should use special lamps with a specific emission spectrum.

Proper lighting is one aspect of keeping an aquarium. Lighting will not only enhance the visual appeal of your aquarium, but also ensure its development and well-being.

Choosing the right lighting spectrum will help bring out the vibrant colors of your aquarium inhabitants.

8. Ceramics.

Clay materials can be used to create decorative items in various shapes and sizes.

It is better to buy ready-made decorative ceramic products at a pet store; they are specially made for aquariums and do not contain any harmful impurities.

9. Other items.

Pet stores are now full of a wide variety of aquarium decorations: castles, ships, skulls and chests, in general, eyes run wide. Such decorations can make the landscape of the aquarium very entertaining and unusual, as long as the materials from which they are made are non-toxic.

Consider placing a focal point in the center of the aquarium such as a Large Rock/Plant or decoration with air bubbles coming out.

Various household items are suitable for decorating an aquarium. For example, ceramic or earthenware pots and saucers can be placed upside down as a shelter, having first made an “entrance” into them. Fish like these caves sometimes even more than natural stone shelters. Only new clay products can be used for the aquarium, since this material is very porous and toxic substances that have got into it cannot be removed even with very thorough cleaning. Plastic products are not recommended for decoration, the material may be toxic.

Actually, we are not talking about a palm nut, but about a coconut shell, from which you can independently make an original shelter for fish.

In the grocery store, you need to buy a fresh large coconut and combine the useful with the pleasant. On the surface of the walnut bark, you should find three notches, make holes in their place (with a screwdriver, nail, drill) and drink aromatic juice with pleasure.

Then the shell is cut in half with a jigsaw, and the white flesh is eaten with the same pleasure.

To destroy unwanted microorganisms, the shell is boiled in water for 5-7 minutes. Further, as far as fantasy allows, you can cut notches around the circumference of the shell cut or make additional holes.

The two halves are placed on the bottom of the aquarium, and curious fish will immediately begin to explore new caves.

In addition, some fish use the pile on the shell as food. In less than a month, the hard shell of the nut will become completely smooth.

However, not every aquarist can afford such a miracle, since silicone decorations for a pseudo-sea are quite expensive.

In this article, I will present to you the product of our aquarist-forum member Sheiko Igor (sheff777) from Poltava. Igor figured out how to make a decoration for a pseudo-sea with his own hands, using ordinary polyurethane foam. The end result was a very pretty stone decoration. But, let's get it right.

At first it was bought: - waterproof tile glue (although waterproof is not necessary, everything will be covered with paint and varnish anyway); - mounting foam; - acrylic paints and a brush.

The next step is to cover the foam with tile adhesive in several layers (I got three layers - plus some more areas). Between the first and second layers, a plaster mesh was laid in some areas for greater strength. Where the mesh did not bend, cuts were made, or a piece of the mesh was cut out (although in many parts of the stone the mesh was not used at all).

The idea is that the thickness of the dried glue should be such that after removing the foam from the finished stone, the walls of the stone do not crumble (I broke off one piece, I “built up” this area again with the help of a plaster mesh and tile glue). Ideally, it would be necessary to use reinforcing fiber, but I didn’t find it anywhere, I used a regular plaster mesh from the Epicenter (the softest one).

Then I varnished my stone. Lacquered with acrylic varnish (called Akvalak, cost 35 UAH / 1 liter). Varnished in one layer, but carefully, it seems that I didn’t miss anything anywhere. All night the stone stood at the battery. In the morning was placed in the water. After 8 hours, I did a test of tap water and water in which there was a stone - one to one. Having finally calmed down in the correctness of the work done, the stone went under the water.

According to the behavior of my cichlids, I can say one thing - if they could talk, they would definitely say “thank you”. Not even a minute passed - as they began to snoop from hole to hole and fight for new territory.

Now it remains only to observe their further behavior. I hope my fish will be comfortable.

Sincerely, Sheiko Igor (sheff777), Poltava, especially for the Aquafan portal.

Discussion of the article on the aquarium forum. Prepared and posted by: Natalia Nikolenko.

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Journalist: Chezarino Date: 10/01/2010 Read: 16383 Introduction Many marine aquarists believe that corals must be present in abundance in a reef aquarium. The reef is definitely one of the most expensive "kinds" of aquariums and requires a lot of time and money to set up (purchase of equipment, decorations and inhabitants of the future reef).

If you do not intend to seek out and study information about living rocks, corals, marine fish and invertebrates, then be prepared for a possible failure. Keeping corals in a home marine aquarium can be interesting, exciting, but at the same time difficult, requiring attention and time.

In this article you will find general information about the maintenance of corals at home, so I immediately suggest moving on to the main questions.

Salinity about 1.023-1.025 - temperature 76-82 F - alkalinity 2.1-2.5 meq/L - calcium 400-450 ppm - magnesium 1200-1400 ppm - ammonia, nitrites. Nitrates, Phosphates 0 ppm This means that you will have to do regular water changes and/or use special products to maintain the water parameters in a marine aquarium.

A more economical option, of course, are regular water changes. In addition, if you have not yet acquired special tests, you are not recommended to add special substances that regulate water parameters. Since you will not be able to control their work without testing the water. How else will you know exactly what dose of the drug to add to the aquarium?

If your reef is going to be full of corals, you are advised to use alkaline water or calcium to meet the needs of the growing corals. Also be sure, if you haven't already done so, to get special water tests and do them regularly so that you have time to respond to fluctuations in the water parameters in your reef.

The flow of water. Corals definitely need a constant flow of water, through which food gets to them, as well as which washes off various contaminants from them that get to them from other aquarium inhabitants. The recommended water flow is 20-30 volumes per hour, and some aquarists prefer to set the flow even higher.

Lighting Lighting is a must when keeping corals, no matter what species you have in mind for your reef. Corals that have zooxanthellae need light to live and grow and are called hermatypic. Corals lacking zooxanthellae are called ahermatypic and are often found in places where there is not much light.

They get most of their energy from food. Which is carried downstream and from individual feedings. Therefore, when considering the desired level of lighting, it is necessary to proceed from the type of coral that you want to keep. Here are some general guidelines to get you started: Hard or stony corals - These corals usually need bright and intense light, which is achieved using metal halide or T5-HO lamps.

Soft corals - here different species may have different requirements, some need a high level of lighting, some have requirements not so high. Mushroom corals - Most prefer low light levels. Corallimorphs - In intense light they feel better. Zoanthids - also do well in high light levels.

Again, it all depends on what kind of corals you plan to keep. Lighting in a reef tank can be the most expensive thing in keeping corals. You will need money not only for good lamps, but also to pay for electricity, because they should shine from 8 to 12 hours a day.

Coral food - to feed or not to feed? You can often hear aquarists brag about how they do not feed their corals, and they grow by leaps and bounds. Maybe this is true, maybe not. Hermatypal corals get most of the energy for their growth from the zooxanthellae that live in them.

Zoxanthellae absolutely need light, so theoretically, as long as you provide the corals with proper lighting, they should be fine. But let's listen to other aquarists who claim that feeding corals will greatly accelerate their growth. Personally, I am one of those adherents who feed their corals. Typically, corals are fed small amounts of food directly onto the coral. When the light in the aquarium is off and the coral polyps are open.

Ahermatotypical corals almost always need to be fed, and many of them will be quite difficult to keep for a beginner in the hobby.

Aggression in corals. Some may not know this, but some corals can be aggressive towards others. There are many ways in which corals compete with each other for territory. Some of them have tentacles of various lengths with which they can sting other corals. These tentacles are called nematocysts. Some corals are more dangerous than others.

There are certain types of coral that release special chemicals into the water that can attack other types of coral. This is one of the reasons why many marine aquarists use activated charcoal to filter the water to remove these chemicals, and do regular water changes.

Thus, the main thing in this matter is the behavior of the corals that you plan to keep and how different types of corals will get along with each other. Mixing different types of coral in the same aquarium is not a good idea. Of course, I know that you can often see reefs where both hard, stony and soft corals grow.

Wooden decorative elements

The tree looks very natural in the aquarium. Even a grotto can be made from this material, which will become a natural refuge for fish and a place for their rest. However, not every tree is suitable for a home artificial pond.

For example, oak should not be used in any case, since it releases the so-called tannins into the water - organic phenolic acids.

Making a wooden grotto is not at all difficult. It is necessary to choose a suitable stump, rinse it thoroughly, peel it from the bark. Then boil the workpiece in brackish water for 30 minutes.

In the side surface of the hemp, cut holes or one large hole, the edges of which should be burned. Peel the stump again from the remnants of the bark, which exfoliated after cooking. It would be better to hold the finished wooden product for a week in ordinary cold water, changing it daily.

After all these procedures, a wooden grotto can be fixed to the bottom of the aquarium using special silicone or pressed with stones.

In the same way, driftwood is processed, which looks very impressive in an artificial home pond.

The most important thing is not to use rotting wood, as decay products can spread throughout the water environment.

Ceramic pots fit perfectly into the aquarium interior. True, many experts do not recommend the use of Chinese ceramics, which release harmful chemicals into the water.

If there is still free space in the water house, then you can buy a real clay pot or a deep bowl at the handicraft fair or from villagers.

The pot is usually placed on the bottom of the jar on its side and fixed with stones. And you can cut several holes in different places, carefully rounding their sharp edges.

No matter how much you want to decorate your aquarium with a variety of crafts, you should not clutter up the interior space too much. It must be remembered that its inhabitants need more space for swimming.

It is recommended to place home-made decorations in the background or on the sides, since the basis of any aquarium is still its inhabitants, and not crafts. In addition, such placement will help to hide from the eyes of technical devices to ensure the life of the fish (filter, aerator, thermometer). In the central part of the aquarium composition, it is desirable to leave only low decorative elements.

In pet stores, you can easily buy almost everything you need to decorate a fish house. But only well-made decorations can serve as an object of pride for any aquarist and give the interior space a unique look and beauty.

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With soft corals, the situation is more complicated. Sometimes they come in small shells. You can try attaching them with staples or something similar.

Or just try placing them in a small crevice in living stone or at the junction of living stones.

And do not forget where and what corals are best placed inside the aquarium. Depending on their lighting needs, they should be positioned closer or farther from the surface of the water in the aquarium. This will help slowly acclimate the corals to your light. If you have metal halide lights in your aquarium, you can position the hard corals at the very bottom, bringing them a little closer to the surface for a week to get them used to the intense light.

Conclusion There are a wide variety of corals available in the marine aquarium hobby. Some of them are more expensive, some are cheaper and can be very, very demanding in content. Is it difficult to keep corals? Yes, some are quite difficult, and some can be recommended even for beginners in the marine aquarium hobby.

www.fishlore.comTranslated by Julia Matukhno. Prepared and posted by Nikita Matukhno.

Coral reef - do it yourself

Wholesale dried seafood, squid, vobla, beer snacks wholesale

The more “live” stones in the marine aquarium, the more reliable the biological balance and biological purification in the aquarium itself (denitrifying bacteria live inside and on the surface of the stones). You need to be very careful about the selection of fish species that will inhabit your reef aquarium. The fact is that in nature, the diet of many fish includes corals and polyps.

Reef aquariums are inhabited by fish that are not large in size, but this is more than offset by their peculiar shape and funny character. You can watch them for hours. From the specialist's point of view, the reef aquarium is the most interesting variety of marine aquariums. The reef is a holistic world of complex and harmonious relationships between fish, coral polyps, shrimps and other forms and species of marine animals.

Here, everyone strives to equip themselves with the most comfortable and safe home, take care of food, stop the encroachments of uninvited neighbors, while not forgetting about their own safety. Some of the inhabitants of the reef aquarium even try to acquire offspring when creating favorable living conditions for them.

The very process of creating a full-fledged reef aquarium with a normal ecological balance and optimal living conditions for different inhabitants in it is quite laborious and requires significant time, patience, perseverance and, of course, a fairly capacious amount of knowledge on this issue.

Many people have a question how to feed the corals, and with what? With fish, everything seems to be clear, aquarists have a very solid experience in keeping them in captivity and there is no question on this topic. Another thing is such delicate and small creatures as coral polyps. Any coral known to aquarists has more than one way of feeding.

Fanciers building high-density reef invertebrate collections in their aquariums should be aware that compromise conditions will not be ideal for each individual animal. The feeding requirements of different coral species are so different that they cannot be met with a single method.

It is necessary to know that corals are a colony of animal cells - polyps, which often contain symbiotic algae in their tissues. Due to bright illumination with special lamps, algae produce nutrients during photosynthesis, and polyps partially use this.

The second way corals feed is by filtering water through their intestinal cavity. Therefore, it is necessary to add special substances to the water that are necessary for their nutrition, to ensure the movement of water in the reef aquarium to deliver these substances to the tentacles of the polyps. Everything is like in a natural habitat, where corals live at depths well illuminated by the sun's rays and washed by surf waves and sea currents. This provides them with normal living conditions and growth.

There is also a third type of coral feeding - combining the two previous methods, i.e. some corals can feed on symbiotic algae and independently extract their own food from the water. Corals that feed using the first of the described methods are called autotrophs, heterotrophs feed on the second way, and corals called mixotrophs are referred to the third way of food. Some coral species can feed by trapping small aquarium inhabitants and paralyzing them with their stinging cells.

It should be noted that most of the corals that exist in nature are mixotrophic; all of the methods described above are used for nutrition. What else do corals eat, you ask? They can consume the excrement of other animals (dissolved and crushed), detritus and other organic remains of dead planktonic animals.

Bacteria and any dissolved organics also make up a significant part of the diet of many corals. The decomposition and mineralization of dead organisms release proteins into the water column. Plant material (phytoplankton and algae) is less popular as a food source, but is very important for some coral species. Much more often, however, phytoplankton feeds coral food (zooplankton) and therefore its presence is very important in the aquarium system.

Based on the above, we can say that coral polyps tend to use every particle of organic material floating in the water. However, the nutrition of each type of coral polyp that you intend to settle in your reef aquarium must be approached individually, having studied its biological features of nutrition and lifestyle in natural conditions.

Now I will list the types of corals that can be recommended for settling in a home reef aquarium. More detailed information about the features of the content of each of the species listed can be found on the Internet or check with sales assistants in a pet store that sells coral polyps.

Nearly or fully autotrophic corals are usually not difficult to keep in captivity, provided adequate lighting is provided, and they are excellent candidates for keeping in your reef tank. Corals that use predominantly autotrophic nutrition:

• Acropora hyacinthus
• Acropora squamosa
• Pocillopora damicornis
• Stylophora pistillata
• Goniastrea pectinata
• Echinopora lamellosa
• Symphylla sp.
• Fugia scutaria
• Zoanthus sociatus
• Palythoe tuberculosa

Antipatharians and ceriantharians do not contain symbiotic algae in their tissues and feed mainly like agermatotype corals, for example, the bright orange “sun” coral Tubastrea sp. and colorful Dendronephthya with zooplankton, bacterioplankton and dissolved organic matter. Corals that use predominantly heterotrophic nutrition:

• Acropora pulchra
• Acropora sguamosa
• Acropora palifera
• Pocillopora damicornis
• Stylophora pistillata
• Seriatopora hystrix
• Echinopora lamellose
• Turbinaria danae
• Favorite adbita

It should be noted that when feeding corals, it is necessary to take into account the need of each specific type of your aquarium for heterotrophic nutrition and, on the basis of this, draw up a diet (biofood content in aquarium water). You should be very careful when adding organic additives that serve as food for corals to aquarium water, given that in nature corals often go without food for a long time, so it is better to slightly underfeed them than to oversaturate the aquarium water with excess organic matter.

There are indicators that allow you to try to determine what exactly and how often to feed a particular coral. As a rule, the presence of a food organ means that the animal needs to be fed. Therefore, corals with very large, aggressively stinging polyps require regular and/or heavy feeding.

The most famous corals for their appetite are Fungia (Fungia), Euphyllia (Euphyllia), Plerogyra (Plerogyra) and Trachyphyllia (Trachyphyllia). In contrast, corals with very small or sparse polyps usually require less direct feeding. For example, the shallow yellow turbanaria has less appetite than its deep-sea relatives.

The main indicators of the health and normal existence of corals in an aquarium is their growth and reproduction, which should be the criteria for the success of your reef aquarium.

Aquariums are a whole universe for such small living creatures of the water element as fish, skates, crustaceans, snails, snakes ... Their number is pleasantly shocking in any artificial reservoir. Crafts for an aquarium with their own hands are a creative exclusive process, depending on the talent of the owner. Aquarists take great pride in the wonderful creations they have created. These masterpieces are beautiful and at the same time convenient for aquatic inhabitants living in aquariums. How many varieties can be embodied in the manufacture of a magnificent brainchild!

Creating a background

You can create a mythical fairy tale from any beautiful moment of life. Someone remembers a vacation in the mountains and uses rock sculpture in the manufacture of scenery. Someone cannot forget scuba diving to the bottom of the Black Sea with numerous outlandish bottom algae. Decorations in the aquarium can be created using a black tint. Thanks to this color, space is visualized. At the same time, a colorfully laid out mosaic of stones with colored illumination gives the magnificence of the beauty of the water kingdom.

Background decorations for aquariums can be created by painting the surface and applying decorative patterns. You can use a self-adhesive film pasted on a sheet of plywood. A pattern created by artists is applied to it. It must be tightly attached to the back wall of an artificial reservoir. The glass surface is wiped with glass cleaners and degreased. Otherwise, the film may fall off and scare the aquarium inhabitants. The surface is moistened with settled water, evenly applying a plywood sheet. Air is squeezed out of the film by uniform strokes or punctures of the surface. The plywood is secured with tape.

When creating decorations for an aquarium, you can use a foam sheet. It will serve as a screen, which can be replaced with another decor at any time. A rock, a castle, a waterfall is cut out of the material ... The front side is burned with fire until small bubbles appear. Alabaster, gypsum or cement is applied to the hot side. After complete drying, the surface is painted over with gray or gold paint. Attach the art craft with the front side to the aquarium. Decoration for the aquarium will serve as a wonderful backdrop for its inhabitants.

The splendor of the waterfall

The aquarium decoration of the splendor of the waterfall is being created
mythical fall of a seething stream of water. The powerful effect is achieved by the skillful design of the falling sand jet. This action is created thanks to an air compressor that creates a vacuum. With the help of injection, the sand rises up through the tubes, and then smoothly descends, creating a wonderful illusion. With bated breath, with eyes admiring with delight, those who observe the life of the water element will appreciate the beauty of the picture. Decorations for an aquarium in the form of a wonderful waterfall can be created by yourself using a compressor. You will need:

1. A support whose height will serve as the size.
2. Transparent tape.
3. Hose with a diameter of up to 15 millimeters.
4. Plastic bottle of mineral water.
5. Silicone adhesive.
6. Purchased hoses from droppers.
7. Decorative stones.

The decoration of the aquarium is created using a support. For the necessary stability, it is necessary to attach a rectangular base. Several decorative pebbles are glued onto it, which create the necessary weight and additional stability. A hose is attached to it so that the edge of the top is 1 centimeter above the water. A hole is cut at the bottom of the hose for the sand storage bowl. Such a vessel is made from a plastic bottle. The top of the neck is cut off, which is cut along, in the form of a scoop. The bowl is inserted into the hose and tightly fixed with transparent tape. All joints are sealed with silicone adhesive. Decoration for the aquarium does not tolerate depressurization of the seams. Otherwise, the injection will not work. Tubes from droppers are attached to the lower edge of the hose. Air is supplied through this device. A hole is cut in the lower part through which all the sand will pour out. The design can be decorated with small pebbles, gypsum, cement. From it you can create a beautiful bewitching castle or a mysterious cave. The decoration of the aquarium will be a great addition to its aquatic inhabitants.

Exclusive water architectures

Small-form architecture can be replaced with knots and tree roots found in the forest. True connoisseurs of exclusive jewelry carve various caves, ships, burrows, as well as various inhabitants of the water kingdom from wood. Decorations for an aquarium in the form of natural trees look great. Viewers are presented with a panorama of the fabulous world of the dragon, among scattered colored treasures near a wooden chest and a sunken ship. Such shelters will become a favorite place for domestic inhabitants.

In the manufacture of crafts, the material is soaked in salt water for 30 minutes. Then the future workpiece must be boiled and cleaned of bark. On the side, you need to cut a hole that will serve as an entrance. The edges are burned on fire and cleaned of exfoliated particles. Then the decoration of the aquarium should lie for 7 days in boiled water. Only after all the procedures, the tree is laid out on the bottom of the aquarium, fixed with silicone glue or decorative pebbles. It is forbidden to use rotting wood. Particles of such material will fall into the aquarium water and adversely affect the health of the inhabitants. Oak is not recommended. Its substances emit organic acids that are harmful to fish. Due to the resin content, aquarium decorations should not be made from coniferous trees.

stone treasury

Treasures of sunken ships are made by skillful craftsmen from ordinary small pebbles. Flat stones of small size and regular rounded shape are especially loved and in demand. The production of scenery for aquariums is made according to the plan and imagination of the master. Bonding of stones is created with special silicone according to the artist's drawings. It can be a stone fortress or sheer cliffs, a stone bridge or a mysterious cave.

Decoration for an aquarium in the form of small pebbles goes well with sand waterfall and wooden crafts. Natural stone is easy to use and has global possibilities for creating unusual figures. You can use smooth pebbles, which are well attached with silicone glue. It is forbidden to make decorations for aquariums from alkaline materials. They change the chemical composition of water, creating conditions unsuitable for existence. In such a situation, aquatic inhabitants may die. To test the stones for alkalinity, drop apple cider vinegar on their surface. When sizzling bubbles appear, it is forbidden to use such pebbles, since an alkaline reaction has occurred. Such material contains lime molecules and is unsuitable for use. With a neutral reaction, the pebbles are placed on the bottom of the aquarium or glued with glue.

Decoration for an aquarium in the form of pebbles goes well with shells and corals. Such material is loved by African cichlids living in similar natural conditions. For other types of marine life, it is better to use types of stones:

• granite;
• pebbles;
• quartzite;
• amber;
• marble;
• slate;
• porphyry;
• gneiss;
• mineral stones.

Do not use decorations for aquariums with sharply pointed edges, as fish may be injured. Figures made of stones are indispensable in the design of home and office aquariums. They fill the interior space well, creating a fairy tale world.

Decorations for aquariums are especially appreciated when they are created by hand. All the charm of the water element can be shown in all its glory with the diligence and talent of the master. Only with his imagination and skill can the mysterious water crafts be brought to life and reproduced. They will attract, delight numerous spectators with fabulous fantasies made of wood, stone, polystyrene, beads, ornamental plants, sand. The world inside the aquarium will seem real, mysterious and attracting the eyes of others to it.