How to Make Your Own Salt Water Aquarium Decorations

Design your layout. You won't know how big to build structures or how much space to allot them until you create a plan you can work from that encompasses all the elements in your tank. Measure your tank so you know how much space you have and make a template of the bottom of the tank. Remember to include the height of the tank in your planning or your structures may not fit.

Use wire cutters to cut reef-rack -- egg crate -- to the size you want. Egg crate will form the base of your structure. Egg crate will float, so you need to tie it down or anchor it in the tank.

Build the shape structure you want using PVC tubing. This material will withstand the saltwater and can be shaped in different ways to create structures that hold rocks or create caves for saltwater fish. Attach pieces of PVC tubing together using zip-ties or bond the tubing together. Aquarium silicone gel will take between 24 and 48 hours to cure.

Place your PVC tubing on your egg crate. Spray your PVC tubing and egg crate with space-filler foam that will harden and create permanent structures. You can create interesting arches or other structures using PVC and space-filler foam. Place small rocks or sand over the foam for more texture. Space-filler foam will also need time to cure before putting it into the tank.

Add glass or ceramic to your structures; these materials are safe in saltwater, although they may be difficult to cut. Bond them to structures you create using the aquarium silicone gel.

Choose safe rocks for your saltwater tank. Live rock from a reef- type zone can be used in saltwater tanks. Volcanic rock or pumice can also be used. Rocks can provide hiding places for shy fish and divide your tank into different areas. Pre-clean the rocks and cure them before placing in the tank.