Tips for making your aquarium look nice and pop out?

Bruce Leyland-Jones said:

The definition of 'nice' is very subjective and solely dependent upon personal taste.
Every single element of artificiality will counter any effort to create a 'naturalistic' look.
This is my 10 gallon;

View attachment 148283

NOTE how that abandoned glass cleaner detracts from the whole image.

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otterblue said:

"Nice".

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otterblue said:

Some ideas on the natural look:
1. I read in an aquarium book, long ago, that the "open space" shouldn't be in the middle of the tank because it creates too much symmetry - thus, looking unnnatural. (This was before aquascaping was a big thing.)
2. I almost feel that if someone dumped or haphazardly placed the plants anywhere without thought it could create a natural look. (As opposed to most of us that spend time planning/cultivating a "natural" look.)

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Bruce Leyland-Jones said:

All clear dividers do is stop physical contact between antagonistic fish...they'll still flare and become pumped with fishy temper every time they see each other and this repeated stress will shorten their lives.

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Bettaguy08 said:

I currently have a 10 gallon aquarium and am looking for some tips to make it look nice. For example if anyone knows the best way to place plants so it looks naturalistic and cool. Or other tips.

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Fishmanic said:

The long black thingie probably would best be placed on the back wall of the tank.

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JennySolano said:

Is that your tank?
Already fantastic! Surf the web and you’ll see lots of cool tanks. Sign up for Pinterest & they will email you gorgeous pics everyday. I started off there with cat enclosures, but get all aquarium related things now. Beautiful tanks!

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vanalisa said:

I think that you could really make it pop by posting some more pictures of that precious baby boy betta

Seriously, I think that besides a more pictures of precious baby boy betta, you should get more live plants. After you do that you can maybe position them so they look more natural...

In addition, I'm not sure if it'll pop from the viewer's perspective, but I think your fish would enjoy some plants to kind of tuckaway in or hide in so it just seems more natural; perhaps some Anacharis?

I am personally not fond of beta logs and admit I've never had them in any of my tanks, but if they use the logs then my opinion doesn't really matter

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Bettaguy08 said:

The baby betta is actually a girl, but she still looks amazing, she is also starting to gain some color in her fins

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Colin_T said:

Dark substrate.

Dark background, but if you have black fish, don't use a black background, go for blue or green instead.

Have taller plants along the back and put some medium or tall plants on the sides. Leave middle open for the fish to swim around.

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wasmewasntit said:

It shouldn't make a difference, there are aquariums available with clear dividers fitted specifically for Betta, such as...

Betta Falls Kits - Aquarium Starter Kits | Aqueon Aquarium Products

Experience Aqueon Betta Falls Kit, an aquarium starter kit featuring a contemporary design to house three separate bettas with a cascading water feature.

www.aqueon.com

Not the greatest example, I admit, but they are clear/frosted dividers rather than black

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lazarusthefishboy10 said:

I reckon maybe no rainbow gravel and get a completely dark substrate? But might not be worth the hassle of replacing the gravel. Looks good, though! I reckon the driftwood you've got in there makes a difference.

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Bruce Leyland-Jones said:

Start at the substrate...is black gravel really natural?
Be sure to add larger pebbles and stones that actually match the substrate.
If using larger rocks with a grain, ensure the flow of that grain is consistent.
If using wood, apply the same mentality...think about placing smaller pebbles between any forks in the wood.

You'll have taller plants to the back, shorter plants to the front...but don't be glued to this idea...some fish can be wary of open spaces.

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