9 Popular Types of Decorative Fish Tanks

A fish tank can be the centre of your home or just something that takes up space in your basement. There are different types of designs for you to choose from, and how you decide between them depends on a number of things, like how much time you want to spend maintaining them, and what kind of fish or decorative marine plants you like to see in your space. 

There’s also the factor of size that comes down to whether you want something small and sleek that looks good in the living room, or something big and powerful that can hold more exotic species of plants and fish. Here are some of the most popular options of fish tank cabinet on the market:

1. Coldwater freshwater tank

This type is great for people who are just starting because it only needs basic care. Most freshwater tanks for cold water are rectangular, and they hold small, low-temperament fish like betta fish or black mollies. Because these tanks don’t need a lot of care and maintenance, they are perfect for people who are busy but still want to enjoy their aquarium hobby.

2. Coldwater marine tank

The coldwater marine tank is a great way to keep lively fish like clownfish or puffers. Most of the time, these tanks are kept between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius and have a filtration system, natural rocks, and sand already built in. They also require a bit more of your divided attention since water needs to be changed often. But the work is worth it if you want a beautifully decorated coldwater marine tank.

3. Tropical freshwater tank

Fish that live in warm water are found in a tropical freshwater tank. Freshwater fish don’t need special conditions, so this is likely one of the most easy-to-care-for aquarium cabinets you can choose from for your home. They can live in any kind of water as long as it is clean and is changed often.

But for your tropical freshwater tank to look attractive, you must add plants to make the environment more colourful and stimulating. Plants will also help clean the water in your aquarium and give some fish a place to hide. Guppies, mollies, angelfish, platys, and swordtails are all tropical freshwater fish.

4. Tropical marine tank

Aquarists who want to keep colourful tropical fish, live corals, and other invertebrates in their tanks can get tropical marine fish tanks. These aquariums will have heaters and filtration systems that are very strong. These kinds of aquariums usually have lighting that makes it look like both day and night.

Tropical marine fish can be picky eaters, so make sure to give them foods that are similar to what they would eat in the wild. Sea cucumbers, brine shrimp, and fresh vegetables are some examples. You’ll also have to change the water often since most tropical marine fish waste more than they eat. Clownfish (like Nemo), tangs, and gobies are some of the most popular types.

5. Brackish tank

The brackish tank is a cool mix of a freshwater aquarium and a saltwater aquarium. The water isn’t very salty, so it’s safe for fish that need genuine freshwater but won’t kill tropical fish that are used to salt water. These fish tanks are halfway between freshwater and saltwater.

They are a good choice for people who want to do more than just keep fish in simple freshwater or saltwater tanks. Most people start with a 38 litres tank because they are cheaper and easier to care for than bigger ones. Brackish tanks are also small enough that you can put them on a table or other surfaces without taking up too much room.

6. Reef tanks

A reef tank is a fish tank with live coral and other animals that live in the water, like starfish, snails, and small crabs. Most of the time, these fish tank stands are full of living rock, and to keep everything clean they need special filtration systems. The reason to have a reef tank is that, unlike most fish tanks, it lets you get close to many different kinds of marine life and can easily blend in your oceanic or blue home décor.

If you want to go even a step further, consider a variety of sea fans, hard aquatic plants (like stony corals), sponges, shellfish, nudibranchs (molluscs), crustaceans (like hermit crabs), and other plants and animals that usually live in these tanks.

7. Breeder tanks

Perfect for fish that give birth to young or fish that already have young. Most breeder tanks don’t have filtration so you have to change the water often to keep it clean. Great for big fish that need a lot of space. Glass or acrylic can be used to make a breeder tank. An acrylic fish tank cabinet costs less but is heavier and harder to keep clean. Glass is more attractive and lets you watch your fish swim around and interact with each other while they spawn.

8. Substrate-based fish tanks

A substrate-based aquarium is a good choice if you want to make an ecosystem but don’t want to clean it too much. A lot of people also like the fact that substrate-based tanks are usually cheaper to maintain than other types. In order to provide a comfortable environment for certain wildlife, you’ll need substrate.

Bottom-dwellers who want to browse through the substrate for pieces of food will find this to be an enriching environment, while fish that like to burrow will have a place to hide. In addition, it lessens the stress on the wildlife caused by internal glass reflections.

9. Small biotope fish tanks

The plants, rocks, and substrates in a biotope aquarium come from a certain part of the world. A typical biotope aquarium comes from Lake Malawi, but you can make one from any place in the world. Most biome tanks are very nice to look at because they’re a lovely sight on their own even when they don’t have any fish.