Plastic: Items that are marked food-safe usually make acceptable decorative items, but be careful. Decorative ceramic mugs and plates can provide fun hiding places for your most timid fish as long as they meet the safety requirements. The key is to choose your elements wisely.Ĭeramics: As a general rule, terra cotta clay pots and other dinnerware are safe in your aquarium however, those with lead and copper glazing should be avoided. There are still plenty of things you can use to personalize your fishes’ underwater home. Krysja/Shutterstock What materials are safe to use in my aquarium? Additionally, anything with sharp or rough edges can fatally injure your fish. Your swimmers are also at risk from any naturally occurring bacteria invisibly living on an item that hasn’t been properly cleaned.

The pH level in a freshwater aquarium is a delicate balance, and most household items contain chemicals that can be fatal to your fish. Simply put, anything foreign you add to your aquarium can introduce dangerous toxins and hazards that put your fish at risk. ArtEvent ET/Shutterstock What are the dangers of making my own aquarium decorations? There are some limitations, but using our guidelines and common sense, you can put together a safe and distinctive living environment for your fishy friends. It’s super easy to create some wonderful, unique DIY aquarium decorations that are certainly more personal than what you’ll find at the pet shop. But we like to get a little more creative with our freshwater tanks. Sure, you could go to the store and pick up plenty of aquarium decorations - from whimsical to practical - to suit your needs.

Goldfish tank decoration ideas