admin, Author at Seatech Aquariums

Are you tired of the same look in your aquarium? Could it use some sprucing up? If so, there are many aquarium design ideas that can take your aquarium to the next level.

Consider these options for a new look.

1. Change the color or location of the lighting.

Certain species of livestock require specific lighting colors and strengths, so it’s important to design aquariums with these needs in mind. That being said, you can experiment with optimal colors in order to accent different features of your tank. Lighting can also bring out the colors of the fish in ways you never saw before.

Installing new types of lights or moving the lighting elements to different areas around the tank can beautifully modify the appearance of your aquarium as well.

2. Design your aquarium with a Phoenix theme.

Normally, water has very little to do with Arizona, but a little yin and yang could add charisma to your aquarium. Add palm tree decor for a Scottsdale look or red rock for a Sedona theme. For a reef tank, consider adding staghorn corals, which would look like tumbleweeds blowing in the sand. Opt for reddish or brownish gravel to represent the mountainous landscape.

3. Replant the aquarium.

One reason hobbyists decide to redesign their aquariums is because live plants have become unmanageable. Over time, trimming plants may make them look tattered and torn. In other cases, live plants that are not maintained may take over the tank – leaving an unappealing appearance and perhaps even a dangerous habitat for the fish. In this case, you may wish to start from scratch with fresh plants, new gravel, rocks, and decor.

4. Swap your current fish tank for a newer model.

Perhaps simply changing the tank itself would do the trick, which is clearly an easy solution if the tank is starting to look worn.

Switching to a larger tank would give your fish more room to swim, which can make them even more fun to watch.

Here’s a fun fact: Biological factors keep some fish from growing in smaller tanks, but they may be able to grow in a larger tank. It’s fascinating but true. For that reason, swapping fish tanks may even change the appearance of your aquarium residents.

Along these lines, if you go for a larger tank, you may be able to add compatible livestock to further enhance your aquarium’s appeal.

Another idea for an aquarium redesign is to switch from a glass tank to an acrylic tank or vice versa. As a longtime aquarium tech here in Phoenix, I personally prefer the acrylic tanks, as they are lighter and more durable. However, a glass tank does add a dazzling shimmer.

Side note: If you do decide to get a new fish tank, check the quality of your current tank. If it’s in decent shape and does not have chips or cracks, keep it for use as a quarantine tank or as a temporary tank that you would use during aquarium cleanings.

5. Switch the rocks and gravel.

Add new rocks or decor, or choose a different color for the gravel. If you have artificial rock in your aquarium, for instance, consider live rock. Live rock changes frequently with algae growth, so it makes your aquarium more entertaining.

6. Add new, colorful coral.

Coral works wonders for an aquarium’s design, and you have a world of options. Adding new coral into your reef tank will give your aquarium a whole new life, and probably even liven up your fish as they explore the new additions.

Are you ready to update your aquarium, or are you looking for additional aquarium design ideas? Contact me, and I’ll be happy to help you transform your aquarium into something amazing.

Chromis are among the most popular fish for saltwater aquarium owners, and it’s easy to see why. With their low maintenance needs, flamboyant personalities, and excellent swimming skills, chromis can create a habitat that is fascinating to watch.

If you are planning to welcome chromis into your home, we can help you get them acclimated. In the meantime, here are a few basic facts you may wish to know beforehand.

1. Some chromis are blue. Some are green. Some are greenish blue or bluish green. You may come across all these terms.. Their radiant, signature colors are what make them so popular for saltwater aquariums.

2. They only grow to about 4 inches long.

3. They enjoy swimming in groups and can be fascinating to watch, especially due to their shimmering color.

4. You should have at least six chromis in your aquarium. Although they are friendly, peaceful fish, a chromis aquarium is a little like a middle school playground. These fish will develop a hierarchy, so the “least popular” fish may feel lonely and vulnerable. If you have more fish, the lowest fish on this totem pole will feel more protected. There’s strength in numbers.

5. Chromis have a deeply forked tail, which allows them to swim faster.

6. Even though they are small, these active, excellent swimmers will need relatively large tanks so that they can be free to be themselves. We would recommend a 30-gallon tank or larger.

7. As omnivores, they do graze on algae and eat flake foods. However, they prefer meaty foods like shrimp, so these should be their main foods. They should be fed at least three times a day, but be careful not to overfeed them.

8. In nature, you can find blue-green chromis in coral reefs, especially in the Indo-Pacific Ocean. Your saltwater aquarium should therefore include coral and rocks to make them feel at home.

9. The temperature of the tank should be 72 degrees to 82 degrees Fahrenheit.

10. The pH range is 8.1 to 8.4.

11. They are part of the pomacentridae damselfish family, but there are more than 100 species of chromis within the genus subgroup. For that reason, they are sometimes referred to as blue-green damselfish.

12. The scientific name is chromis viridis.

13. Mature males in a nesting mode can sometimes be yellow.

14. Unlike some underwater animals, they don’t form lifelong, committed relationships with their partners in the wild. Instead, several males and several females will breed with one another.

15. When cared for properly, they can live for more than eight years.

Contact us for more information about how to care for your blue-green chromis or for other aquarium maintenance services in the Phoenix, Arizona area.

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Aquarium Redesign Ideas Phoenix Fish Tank Owners will Love