Tips for making your aquarium look nice and pop out?

[otterblue]

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.

"Nice".

Actually, very nice. And good point about artificial elements detracting from a natural look.

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.)

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

"Nice".

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.)

Nature has more symmetry than most people realise.

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

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.

 

[ClownLurch]

Black-Grey background, sand, pebbles, rocks, caves.
Single colour plants with only one differing.
Lots of small wood pieces instead of one big piece.

 

[Bettaguy08]

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.

That is what I was thinking, I thought they would get stressed if they see each other

 

[FishHobby99]

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.

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!

 

[Bettaguy08]

Yes I will do that its

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

the filter btw, but I think it will look nicer In the back like you said

 

[Bettaguy08]

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!

That’s a great idea! Looking at other peoples tanks for inspiration, I will definitely also do that

 

[Bettaguy08]

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

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

 

[vanalisa]

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

Cute little button!

 

[Bettaguy08]

I’m gonna use the tips you guys gave me

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.

Ill do this one

 

[Bettaguy08]

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

I wouldn’t trust aqueon as the best source that clear dividers can be used for bettas, they are known to sell tiny 1 gallons and say bettas can go inside them, like the one that you linked. And bettas are terrorial so if they see each other they will flare , they flare if they think something is threat, and if they see each other for to long they can get stressed. I think a clear divider would be nice but it wouldn’t be good for the betta in my opinion.

 

[Bettaguy08]

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.

I would get rid of the gravel and get black grave but I don’t know if it’s going to effect my cycled aquarium, and put it back in the cycling phase again. “and yes I am bassicaly positive that my aquarium is cycled now, there has been bassicaly no presence of nitrite or ammonia in 2 weeks”

 

[Bettaguy08]

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.

Also gonna use this tip

 

[Bettaguy08]

And do you guys have any suggestions for other good plants I can get? I only have Anubias and Java fern right now, and I’m gonna be getting some Nite-out ll and Seachem Florish