Tank Aesthetics

[Rue]

I've wondered about this several times...even posted on other forums...with surprisingly hostile replies...:hmm3grin2orange: But I thought I'd give it another go.

When we set-up a tank, I figure we do it for several reasons, including:

1. Love fish!
2. Want to recreate our own bit of nature indoors.
3. A well-kept tank is a beautiful creation!

Given that we agree that a tank is a beautiful thing, I'm sometimes surprised that people don't pay more attention to the overall appearance.

I'm NOT talking individual tank decor - I'm talking about stands, backgrounds, hiding exposed electrical cables, having all the paraphenalia kicking around in sight (food containers, nets, rags, etc.).

So, when we go to all the trouble and expense to set up a healthy tank, do we sometimes default on the rest of it? When I see pictures of tanks surrrounded by mess...I tend to focus more on the mess and less on the tank. The mess distracts from the tank itself.

NONE of the solutions to the mess need be expensive...so this is NOT a snobby question. A pretty basket or box can hold food. A stand make of 2X4s can be painted. A background for the tank can be a sheet of waterproof paper.


Thoughts?

[RainMan]

Some people are not concerned with crap lying around all over the place.... generally, it a sign of their personality. No offense. But, if someone is meticulous about decorating and keeping their house neat... their tank will follow suit.

I'm a little anal.. so, all of my stuff is hidden in a cabinet.

[Rue]

I guess I'm a bit anal as well ...and I sometimes leave the food out too, but it's easily tucked away if we have company.

When people ask for tank critiques...I'm always the one saying 'get a background'...LOL...I hate seeing the wall and the cords draping throught the back of the tank...

And yes, some of us are messier than others - but I still don't quite understand why some don't bother with the finishing touches at all.

[travie]

I like the look of my shelving unit next to my tank with all my supplies on it. The look of electrical cords is a different story, I don't like the look of them.

[William]

Don´t really know why. i usually try to keep a good surrounding as well but the fish and tank is more important so I don´t always get to the rest.

[rnj1979]

I don't care too much about seeing clutter either. Our stand has a built in cabinet to "hide" all the accesseries in. It is one of the focal points in our living room so I want it to be pretty on the outside just as it should be pretty on the inside.

[siymdapolio]

Donīt really know why. i usually try to keep a good surrounding as well but the fish and tank is more important so I donīt always get to the rest.
with you there william but i agree you tend to look at the clutter but there is nothing wrong with it i think if you take care of tank... I havea huge cabinet underneath my tank and keep everything in there and remember to close the cabinet doors.....

I get a lot of "Did not know you were born in a barn" so i cleaned my act up lol and organized everything and its spotless now :D

[doug z]

Myself, I think you're absolutely right, Rue..

For some, it's all about the fish, taking care of them and keeping them happy..

Which is fine.. Great, even..

But I also find the aesthetics - the overall appearance of the aquarium and the room in which it's kept - just as big a piece of the puzzle as the rest..

I can't just focus on the fish, or the tank set-up..

I too would be distracted by a mass of wires and tubes jutting out from everywhere, with bags of substrate and spare filter parts strewn around..

Just my 2 cents..

[smaug]

If I had a fish room off to itself,it would be a lot different.I wouldn't pay so much attention to having my tanks look beautiful.Everyone is different though and some keep fish for the sake of keeping fish others for the joy of doting over every last detail,I fall in the latter group.My wife falls in the former.To each his own:14:

[Red]

I have my tank downstairs where everyone always sees it and i keep that neat but my upstairs tank no one would want to go in my room so i slack off and just pay attention to the tank..

[NickFish]

When you have as much aquarium equipment as many of us do (me included) you have to keep it all neat and organised or there is no way you'll find it. The people with only one or two tanks can put stuff anywhere because they would only have limited supplies.
I agree that is it good to keep your tank area clean, looks much better, which is kinda what we want right?

[xoolooxunny]

I like to keep things neat too. Makes the tank become part of the room, instead of an "area" of the room.

[Ryuu]

To be honest, I really dont have room, I share a 10x by 6x room with my two brothers, and theres no where to put the stuff but under the stank and the electrical stuff must stay on the dresser because I have nothing to set it on behind the tank

[tropfish]

It bothers me when i have stuff lying everywhere, makes it look so messy in my opinion. Everything is tucked in the cabinets of my stand. I like to this of it as my peice of nature, so i makes sure the cords don't show and have a plain black background from posterboard.