The Best Aquarium Decor
Picking out aquarium decor is one of the most fun aspects of putting a fish tank together — besides choosing your actual fish, of course. But did you know these decorations aren't only for looks? Your little swimmers will require a certain amount of space covered in their tank, and they may also want items to hide in, under, or behind. If you need a place to start your search, we think our list below can help you find the best decor for your specific setup.
What to Look For
When researching the best aquarium decor on the market today, we kept three key aspects in mind: safety, hiding places, and style. One item that stood out from the start was the JIH plastic plants and cave set. This purchase gets you the basics, and you can look around for a personality piece to fill in the rest of your tank. Speaking of statements, the Penn-Plex’s Spongebob house or Wizard’s Castle may be the perfect fit. You can learn more about all of these products, as well as our other top picks, in the reviews below.
JIH Plastic Plants and Cave Aquarium Decor
Sweet simplicity
This set of aquarium decor comes with a durable resin cave and six colorful faux plants. The rock can be used as a hide for your small fish, who can swim through the holes as tunnels as well. The greenery is carefully made with soft corners to prevent injuries among your tank inhabitants. Use the set to fill a small set-up or combine them with other pieces in larger tanks.
Pros:
- Since this set is affordable, it serves as a budget-friendly way to enrich your aquarium.
- The pieces come ready to place in your tank with no smells or chemicals on their surface.
Cons:
- The plants don’t weigh much at all. Because of this, it’s important to bury them in your aquarium rock to keep them from tipping over.
Uniclife Glowing Jellyfish Aquarium Decor
These intriguing jellyfish add a fun feel to any aquarium. Six pieces are included with your purchase, with colors ranging from blue-green to purple-pink. Plus, they’re easy to install. Simply stick the suction cup to the top wall of your tank. The attachment string is almost invisible, making the jellyfish appear to truly float in your tank.
Pros:
- The silicone material is realistic and safe for your living fish.
- The large size and bright colors make a statement in even the largest aquariums.
Cons:
- These don’t glow in the dark. They almost appear to glow under a black light, though.
Penn-Plex Spongebob Squarepants House Aquarium Decor
Are you ready kids
If you’re a Spongebob Squarepants fan, you won’t want to miss this aquarium decor piece that resembles his pineapple-shaped home. It’s not only fun for humans to look at, however. It also serves as a hide, which is an essential care item for many smaller fish breeds. With measurements around 3 X 5 inches, this fun piece should fit in most tanks.
Pros:
- This product is extremely easy to clean. It just needs to be wiped down with a wet cloth when you clean your tank.
- The durable resin material is designed to last through years of use in both freshwater and saltwater.
Cons:
- This is only for smaller fish, as larger breeds wouldn’t fit inside.
Majoywoo Natural Driftwood for Aquarium Decor
Nature's touch
Driftwood is one of the most natural ways to decorate your fish tank. It offers clean materials for your tank inhabitants to live by, as well as twists and turns to hide behind. You can even turn them into moss trees if you’d like. This set comes with five small pieces, each of which will be uniquely shaped. Use them all in a larger tank or split them up between a few small aquariums.
Pros:
- Driftwood is fairly easy to clean by spraying it down with water and scrubbing it with a clean cloth as needed.
- You can save a few pieces for your reptiles if you own more than one type of small pet.
Cons:
- The driftwood needs to be boiled several times to remove the tannins before you place them in your fish tank.
Penn-Plax Large Wizard’s Castle Aquarium Decor
A magical choice
At over one foot tall, this giant wizard’s castle is such a fun piece to add to a large aquarium. It can be used as a place for fish of almost any size to hide. The larger breeds can play in the tunnels at the bottom, while smaller fish may spend time in the little arches or doorways. The attention to detail is stunning‚; just look at the bricks, the shingles, and the window guards.
Pros:
- If you have an extra large tank, you can buy two different versions of this product to create an even larger castle.
- We found that it can be used in both freshwater and saltwater tanks.
Cons:
- Since this is so large, it can be a bit tedious to clean.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much aquarium decor does my fish tank need?
You may be surprised by the amount of decor you need in your fish tank to keep your swimming friends happy. Most fish breeds need 50-75% of their space covered. This is because fish hide when they feel stressed, sick, or in danger. They need to hide in, under, or behind objects to feel safe.
How should I clean my aquarium decor?
It’s important to clean your aquarium decor every time you clean your tank. Don’t use soap, as this can disrupt water conditions. Simply rinse it off, scrub areas of concern, and set it back in the tank. Aquarium sponges or small brushes can be helpful if there is residue stuck in small spaces.
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