Aquarium esthetics.......

[Rastapus]

Hey everyone,
I was at a customers house a few weeks back and was amazed at his not only huge selection of aquariums jammed with fish but how fantastic the aquariums themselves looked. Sadly, all too often I see aquariums in homes or even offices that to me are more of an eye sore then anything. Of course beauty is in the eye of the beholder and as long as the fish are healthy good for them but I think there needs to be a lot more attention given to the overall appearance of any aquarium esthetically.
In an earlier post it came up that aquariums are tough to "get past the wife", perhaps this is a reason why. With hoses, wires and god knows what else flying out of every corner and hole is it any wonder some hobbyists have a hard time sharing this great hobby with the significant other?

A few suggestions that will really boost the appearance of any aquarium.

BACKGROUND! I will be the first to admit that some backgrounds are a little odd but any background will conceal hoses, wires etc and finish off an aquarium nicely. A nice background weather it is a picture of some sort or a solid color adds depth to any aquarium and also tends to bring out more color in your fish. I am not sure when garbage bags became a background trend but its tough to not have an aquarium look like garbage with a garbage bag as a background. Another option is painting the back panel, blue or black looks quite striking as there is no reflection like you would experience with a background and really finishes things off nicely.

Taking time to bundle hoses and wires with zap straps etc. also really improves the look of any aquarium.

Keeping fish in groups that prefer to be kept so will always be more striking then one of each tetra lost in their watery abyss. Research your fish choices and where possible keep appropriate fish in groups, their behavior will improve as will their color.

Wanna impress the wife? It's not going to happen if your stand is a pile of bricks... Choosing a nice cabinet style stand for an aquarium really makes a huge difference overall.

Platform - Some hobbyists have been constructing a platform out of wood anywhere from 6 to 12" for the aquarium stand to rest on. It elevates the view of the aquarium and actually helps to make the display appear larger. Most aquarium stands are 28" or less, great view for kids but not so great for everyone else in comparison.

I invite others to add to this thread with tips on how to further improve and impress.....

[gklaw]

One general approach I take is every tank is part of my furniture - they become part of the house. Both of my SW tanks act as dividing wall between two livings spaces. Shutting down a tank is usually mean a small renovation project.

That forces me to make sure they are aesthetically pleasing. I know for those of you who seen my SW tanks (or rather not seen) flowing with gracious streams of long hair - I am ashamed. Hence the major clean-up before NY Eve guests arrive

[Diztrbd1]

good thread and great suggestions Grant! Totally agree with backgrounds, I hate seeing the hoses and cords too. I find I do my best to make the area around the tank/stand nice as well. My larger tanks have tropical plants beside them which I think not only look nice but blocks off the sides so maybe the fish feel more secure. Also have nice pictures shelves & candle holders on the walls above them.

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

Sadly, all too often I see aquariums in homes or even offices that to me are more of an eye sore then anything.
In an earlier post it came up that aquariums are tough to "get past the wife", perhaps this is a reason why. With hoses, wires and god knows what else flying out of every corner and hole is it any wonder some hobbyists have a hard time sharing this great hobby with the significant other?

That's actually the main stipulation that my wife has. If the tanks look good and the place is not a mess (except when doing major water changes or tank switch overs), then she's generally good with my addiction. The display tanks have to look like displays and not eye-sores. Sometimes that level is hard to keep up with but if it keeps the spouse happy and off your back about how much time, money, and effort spent on our MTS addiction, then its worth it.

Great topic & post Grant.

I've been painting my backgrounds deep blue and we like it a lot.

Anthony

[neven]

one big point, ask your wife her input and listen (a bit). Giving her a few choices for plant placement, and even 'arguing' against it and 'giving in' scores points. Allow her some fish choices aswell.

Do what you can to hide the wires even without a background. because i went for open top on all of my tanks, on my 29 i made a light hanger out of emt painted flat black. All my wires to the tank are routed behind the pipe and strapped to it, in the tank they all are kept in place by the intake tube. Not noticeable at all. I hate the looks of wires behind my tank, but i also hate how normal backgrounds get water behind them, so i try my best to wire manage. Remember you can get zap straps in a variety of colours, especially gray, ivory, white, clear and black.

biggest thing of all, dont skimp on the maintnence.

[neven]

good thread and great suggestions Grant! Totally agree with backgrounds, I hate seeing the hoses and cords too. I find I do my best to make the area around the tank/stand nice as well. My larger tanks have tropical plants beside them which I think not only look nice but blocks off the sides so maybe the fish feel more secure. Also have nice pictures shelves & candle holders on the walls above them.

I plan on doing that slowly where i have my two tanks in the kitchen

[aquaboy71]

I also believe hiding hoses, wires, etc. makes an aquarium look that much better (especially a background that highlights the fish you have). I also believe placement of tanks (no matter if you live in a mansion or a hole) can make your space more visually appealing. I have a couple of friends who are interior designers and it's incredible how placing your tank in the "right" place makes such a difference. Then again I don't have a partner so I can do as I please - my son doesn't seem to mind

[Morainy]

Thanks for the tips, Rastapus. I am guilty of not having backgrounds on some of my tanks, and of completely ignoring the wires and hoses. I will do something about that. I also leave containers of fish food and water conditioner standing on the counter. Not that anybody in my household mind, but it is probably something that visitors would notice. It's not that I don't put things away, it's just that the place that I've designated for them is -- right next to the tanks!

I do like to have happy looking fish, that don't look scared.

[target]

This is my line of thinking as well. I try to keep any equipment I possibly can out of the tank. Background for sure and definitely a nice looking, furniture quality stand. I like my tank to look like a piece of furniture in the room and because of this, my wife has never commented negatively on my tanks.

[cichlid]

I like keeping my wife in the loop, personal preferance, i hated guppies, platys and mollies. I myself will never buy them. These how ever are some of my wifes favorates. * facepalm* opposits do attract. In stead of shooting her down, I let her get some for our 40g community tank. And must admit, I dont love them, but the black on white speclled and solid white platties look cool, i dont love them as I do my cichlids, but wife is happy.

My cichlid tank is bare bones, im gunna get a background, and change to decent lighting. But. Building a nice looking tank is huge

Tank stands.. Go to thrift stores and find old record player cabinets, they are solid and generally good looking!