Aquarium decorations can include anything from natural or organic items, such as rock formations or driftwood, to manufactured items like little scuba divers or treasure chests. Aquarium decorations can be entirely ornamental, or they can serve practical needs.

Organic aquarium decorations may include items that are living or dead. Examples of living organic aquarium decorations for freshwater tanks include live plants and live rock. Live rock isn’t actually alive, per se, but is called this because it is covered with live bacteria and other organisms. Living organic aquarium decorations for saltwater tanks can include living coral and live algae. Living organic aquarium decorations make wonderful, natural-looking aquarium decorations, but they also do much more. They actually contribute to the health of your aquarium by providing natural filtration processes.

Dead organic aquarium decorations for freshwater tanks may include driftwood or other natural woods as well as clean rocks. Many freshwater aquarium substrates are made up of dead organic aquarium decorations such as river rock, beach or river sand, and various types of natural gravel. Dead organic aquarium decorations for saltwater tanks are things such as actual sea shells and dead pieces of coral.

Whether artificial or organic, non-living decorations serve many purposes. They do not contribute directly to the tank environment the way that living decorations do, but they often do have a role to play. Aquarium decorations, especially substrates, can help anchor plants (living or artificial). They also provide hiding places for fish, giving them somewhere for refuge.

Whether you choose to use live, non-living organic, or artificial aquarium decorations is a matter of personal choice. There are pros and cons to both. Artificial aquarium decorations often last much longer than natural decorations, and do not erode the way natural items will. Artificial aquarium decorations are also readily available from a variety of sources and are often relatively inexpensive. One drawback of artificial decorations for some aquarists is that they indeed look artificial. By shopping around though, it is possible to find very realistic, yet artificial, aquarium decorations. Another benefit of artificial decorations is that they are specifically intended for use in an aquarium environment. Natural materials, on the other hand, may not react well with some of the chemicals, filters, and even certain types of fish in your aquarium.

Aquarium decorations can be natural, living or non-living, things. They can also be man-made items intended for use in aquariums. There are few specific rules about how to decorate your tank, except to always be sure you are using items that will be safe in your aquarium’s environment. Many people find a mix of natural and artificial aquarium decorations strikes a nice balance, resulting in a safe, healthy, attractive tank.