This document discusses marine aquarium decoration and live rocks. It describes various decoration options including substrates, artificial and live plants, action ornaments made from driftwood, rocks and corals. Live rocks are discussed as being rubble from coral reefs containing living organisms that provide benefits in saltwater aquariums as biological filters, hiding spaces and food for fish and invertebrates. The document provides details on substrates, artificial and live plants, action ornaments and backgrounds that can enhance the look of an aquarium while providing benefits to its inhabitants.

1. MARINE AQUARIUM
DECORATION AND LIVE ROCKS
BY
RAHEEM P K
Department of ocean studies and Marine Biolgy

2. MARINE AQUARIUM DECORATION
AND LIVE ROCKS
BY
RAHEEM P K

3. Marine Aquarium Decoratives
 Substrate.
 Artificial aquarium plants.
 Live plants-Seaweeds.
 Action ornaments.
 Artificial Driftwood, Rocks, corals and caves.
 The real thing-Stones,rocks,slate,seashells,snail shells,
pebbles and Coral skeleton.
 Dry rock.
 Live rocks.
 Aquarium backgrounds.

4. Substrate
 Coarse corals Sand-In salt water aquarium.
 Visually attractive.
 Other popular substrates-Natural gravel, Glass marbles, Sand and
aragonite(Crushed corals).
 Sand and aragonites are used exclusively in salt water aquarium.
 Because of the high lime content of Sand and aragonite –It helps to
stabilize the PH value.

5. Artificial aquarium plants
 Artificial plants are designed to look and move as if they were the
real deal.
 Aquarium containing fish that uproot or consume live plants are
ideal for artificial plants.
 Within this category there are also silk plants which features natural
looking movement.

6. Salt water aquarium plants
 Salt water aquarium plants life comes in the form of macro
algae(Seaweeds).
 Macro algae has similar requirements to freshwater plants and house
plants for growth.
 This plants need light, water and some trace elements to grow.
 Zebrasoma sp(Tangs) consider macro algae very delicious, and a
single tank will devastate macro algae very quickly.

7. Action ornaments
 This ornaments include:-
 Wild by nature look:-include castles, deep sea
divers,skulls,volcanoes,sunken ships, treasure chests, ceramic
mermaids.
 Art limitating life:-Artificial driftwood,corals,rocks,plants and caves.
 The real thing:-Stones,driftwood,rocks,slate,seashells,snail shells,
pebbles and coral skeletons.
 All of these offer the ultimate in realism and natural beauty.
 The action ornaments operated by an air pump can help increase the
oxygen level in the water, assist in water circulation.
 This ornaments provide shelter,safety,hiding place and territorial
establishment.

8. Driftwood
 Commonly used in many natural type aquarium settings.
 Hard root wood-Safest type of wood to use.
 Wood is organic and can decompose.
 Normal for wood to discolor aquarium water at the beginning.

9. Rocks and Dry rock
 Rocks are generally safe and non-reactive.
 When decorating with rocks, make sure any structures created are stable and will not
collapse.
 Use only one or two types of rocks and create grouping-This will give a natural look to
the set-up.
 Smooth pebbles in a variety of colors-Provide a natural accent which can highlight
various fish and plants.
 Dry rock-must be porous and full of holes.
 Dead reef rock, artificial ceramic reefs also suitable.

10. Live Rocks
 Live Rock is rubble that has broken off a Coral reef structures by means of
hurricanes and tropical storms.
 This broken of rubble is called live rock because of all the living organisms
that are found on and within the rock.
 Many types of algae,crabs,marine worms, small crustaceans, bacteria and other
life forms.
 Numerous benefits for using live rocks in an aquarium.
 Live rock is porous and are used as biological filters in saltwater tanks.
 Hiding and living spaces for saltwater fishes and invertebrates.
 Source of food for saltwater fishes and invertebrates.

11. Aquarium backgrounds
 Aquarium backgrounds provide the finishing touch to any decorated
tank, ensuring that fish and plant looks their best.

13. Reference
 FISHLORE-Aquarium fish information.
 Saltwater aquarium and reef tank book-Fishlore.com.
 Articles:-
 Basic aquarium guide
 Guide for marine water aquarium.
 Live aquaria.com

14. Thank you