Small fish tanks, nano aquariums, and petite planted bowls offer the chance to create a complete little world. Though small in stature, these pint-sized aquascapes allow for endless creativity when decorating.
The art of decorating
Small aquariums differs from filling large fish tanks. You must think in miniature to establish scale and proportion. Delicate textures and intricate details replace imposing centerpiece décor. Rather than anchoring decorations, you interweave forms to complement fish and plants.
How to beautifully decorate small planted, unplanted, freshwater and saltwater tanks under 20 gallons. We’ll survey ideal plants, rocks, driftwood, substrates, cave ornaments, and accessories for nano aquascaping. Helpful guidelines to arrange, scale, and balance mini aquarium décor complete the primer on design for little liquid canvases.
Plants for Petite Aquariums
While small fish tanks limit plant choices, numerous species suit nano-planted aquariums:
Mosses – Java moss, Christmas moss, etc create lush miniature forests. Their fine texture establishes scale.
Anubias Nana – This tough low-light plant thrives in nano tanks. Slow growth controls size.
Cryptocorynes – Crypt wendtii and parva stay petite and bring color. Thrive in low light with no CO2.
Ferns – Java fern spores dot leaves with baby plants. Trichomanes intricatum stays nano.
Bucephalandra – Tiny vigor-capped leaves burst with color. An exceptional nano foreground.
Subwassertang – This branching moss mimic grows slowly. It carpets regardless of conditions.
Riccia Fluitans – Floating crystalwort looks like miniature cabbage heads. Easy to grow but needs trimming.
Hydrocotyle Tripartita – “Pennywort” spreads lush clover-like rounds perfect for nano tanks.
Hair Grass – Dwarf hairgrass or mini Japanese hairgrass create meadow-like carpeting. Requires more care.
Stem Plants – Red ludwigia, baby tears, and pearlweed plant individually for pops of color.
Moss walls, petite ferns, and mini hairgrass create the impression of epic scenery viewed through a macro lens while staying properly proportioned. Take advantage by mixing colors, textures, sizes and growth speeds.
Hardscape Materials for Small Aquariums
Gravel, stone, driftwood, and other hard aquarium décor provide framing and foundation for nano planted aquariums. Timeworn spiderwood, sea-sculpted stone, and specialist substrates transport the viewer while providing form and function:
Spiderwood – Gracefully arched mini branches set off color better than stone. Boil first to sink.
Seiryu and Manten Stones – Blue and grey Japanese stones instantly convey scale and atmosphere.
Pebbles and Substrates – Naturistic sandy gravel and additives like laterite suit nanos.
Aquasoils – These active mineral substrates aid plants in fish bowl nano tanks lacking nutrients from fish waste.
Pumice and Lava Rock – Light volcanic rock suits nano paludariums with emergent growth.
Petrified and Mopani Wood – Remove tannins by boiling this intricate wood to avoid discoloring water.
Coconut Husk and Seed Pods – Natural nano cage decoration imitates nature. Best in shelless setups.
Marimo Moss Balls – These dense algae balls work well with delicate décor while oxygenating water.
Well-Matched Rocks and nano spiderwood create the impression of epic landscapes in miniature aquariums. Tiny leaf-littered river beds, weather-worn stone monoliths, and caves convey an endless sense of discovery in measured proportions.
Ornaments, Shelters and Caves
While plants and hardscapes create living art, ornaments, shells, and ceramic add whimsical color. Perfectly proportioned caves, shelters, and houses protect inhabitants and complete your theme:
Resin Ornaments – Colorful coral shelters, pagodas, and treasures add personality without altering water.
Ceramic Houses – Handmade clay caves fired water-neutral provide hiding spaces and interest.
Plastic Plants – Vibrant silk plants, lotus flowers, and mushrooms enhance hardscape compositions and balance living plants.
Shells – Small seashells, starfish, urchins, and coral serve as shelters while enhancing themes.
Glass/Acrylic Structures – Clear custom mini sculptures, betta vines, and tubes create illusion of open water.
Aquarium Safe Clay – Sculpt caves, cliffs and custom landscape features to match your vision.
Tiny castles, bridges, and Guarana seed pods create the impression of epic adventure on a nano scale. Compared to small fish and plants they feel appropriately sized. Sturdy construction ensures longevity as interest points.
Complement colored rocks and tranquil green foliage with a crimson pagoda, piece of red coral hiding an anemone’s cave, yellow snail shells clinging to a stone cliffside or a tasteful Roman column relic. Accenting natural beauty with artificial ornaments enhances rather than distracts visual flow when keeping ornament scale small. Let your mini aquarium tell a story!
Best Practices for Mini Aquarium Décor
Some key guidelines help you beautifully decorate petite aquariums:
Nothing Random – Every piece of hardscape and décor relates to others in placement, size, color and form.
Less is More – Limit varieties of plants, rocks, woods and ornaments. Embrace empty negative space.
Mini Textures/Intricate Details – Delicate plants like riccia and bucephalandra along with detailed ornaments/caves establish scale better than large pieces.
Translucent Effects – Opt for glass/acrylic ornaments and few background décor items. Nano tanks quickly get busy.
Perspective and Depth – Use sloping substrate, size graduation (small plants front, tall in back), and clearing in the middle for depth.
Proportion and Balance – Keep hardscape, caves, coral etc appropriately sized for tiny tanks. A few pieces should nearly fill the footprint.
Mind the Scale – Recall teammates when choosing fish and inverts. Avoid inhabitants that quickly outgrow space.
By embracing delicate textures, intricate details, and filling space front to back with a balanced, cohesive layout, nano aquarists can create spellbinding little worlds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish work best in small decorated aquariums?
Small species like neon tetra, emerald dwarf rasbora, chilli rasbora, celestial pearl danio, and Boraras brigittae work well in planted nano aquariums under 5-10 gallons. Larger shrimp and snails complement microlandscapes without adding much bioload.
Can saltwater fish or coral safely go in small tanks?
We do not recommend saltwater fish for tanks under 15-20 gallons. However, several hardy small polyp stony (SPS) and soft corals may thrive under proper conditions and care in nano reef aquariums as small as 10 gallons. Focus on ancillary décor like live rock.
How many decorations should I put in a small tank?
A: Limit décor in nano aquariums to just a few complementary pieces – a singular stone accenting a cluster of small stones or a lone intricately branched piece of nano spiderwood make more impact than cluttering a small footprint. Embrace negative space around accent points.
Is it safe to make custom nano aquarium décor?
A: Yes, provided you properly prepare and cure any custom hardscape or shelter decorations. Verify materials are non-toxic. Clay, lava rock, and resin ornaments work well. Always check for effect on water chemistry. Boil wood to remove tannins and sink it slowly.
Conclusion
Small freshwater planted aquariums, miniature reef vignettes, and nano unplanted betta bowls may seem limiting at first. But embracing delicate plants, textures and props scaled down to Size—as well as leaving negative space for them to shine—allows nano aquarists to create spellbinding little worlds.
The above guide on plants, hardscape materials, ornaments and overall strategies to decorate petite tanks under 20 gallons applies regardless if you keep fish, shrimp, or just waterlilies. Remember that less is more when working in miniature. Follow the tips and let your mini aquarium tell an epic tale!
Meta Description: Discover ideal décor like selected plant species, properly sized stones/spiderwood, and miniature ornaments to create beautifully balanced planted, reef or unplanted nano aquariums.
One Comment