Bright colors and a tropical motif may define the perception that many of us have of what a fish tank should look like. However, with the right ornaments, you can build a fish tank that exemplifies just about any design aesthetic. One of the easiest aesthetics to create is a clean, natural, calming Zen-style aquarium. Think of a Japanese garden on a smaller scale — and in your very own home. Use it as a learning experience with your kids — have them study pictures of Zen art and style, and ask them to help identify ornaments that will match this style.
To find out what types of Zen ornaments are available to you, do a bit of research on fish tank ornaments for UK customers. The internet offers a wealth of options, which are broader than what will be available in a brick and mortar store. You could set up a page on a site like Pinterest to capture your ideas while you decide just how to set up the aquarium. As a rule of thumb, you want to stick to anything that looks like an item that would occur in nature. Rocks, plants, driftwood, and fossils are all fantastic and appropriate options.
Set the Tone
You’ll want to be careful using ornaments like rocks or wood that you actually find in nature, because they may have substances on them that are harmful for your fish. It’s probably better to purchase something that’s already designed to be part of a fish tank, to ensure you’ll keep your fish as healthy as possible. Backings are great ways to set the tone in your fish tank. These are pictures that cover the back of your aquarium, which you can see through the front side. There are beautiful options that feature smooth pebbles or bamboo, which would be perfect for a Zen set-up.
Choose Natural Colors
You’ll also want to carefully select your items to ensure that they don’t take a tropical or Hawaiian feel rather than Zen. For the pebbles at the bottom of the aquarium, stay away from multi-colored rocks — instead choose pebbles in a monochromatic earth tone, such as grey, beige, brown, or even sage or black. Add some greenery to the tank as well. Many ornaments are available in different styles of fauna. Consider even implementing some water lilies or lotus flowers. Make sure the types of fish you choose also fit the Zen motif. Goldfish are an obvious choice, and choose others in natural, calming colors. As with any fish tank, make sure the types of fish can live together in harmony, and choose either all saltwater fish, or all freshwater fish.
Paige One writes about a variety of topics – from fashion, to fitness, to even fish!
Image purchased from Fotolia.
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