Beautiful Home

If your house is already cluttered or you like the airy expanse of an open room but would still like to enjoy the beauty and tranquility that an aquarium provides, a corner fish tank can fit comfortably in the room without taking up too much space.

Corner fish tank setups come in all sizes, from small 5 gallon versions to larger 30-50 gallon setups. So the design of any room, no matter how big or small, can accommodate a corner fish tank setup, and the size of your tank will determine how many fish you want to keep. Because of their shape, most corner fish tank aquariums are made of acrylic, which is susceptible to scratching but allows for the true beauty and color of the fish to shine through.

A Few Things Before You Pick the Tank

Before you pick the tank, you need to pick the fish. Most, if not all, corner fish tank systems are designed for either salt or freshwater fish, but the types of filtration devices and chemicals you need will vary slightly. One type of fish is not necessarily better than the other; however, saltwater and tropical fish tend to allow for more colorful options.

Most corner fish tank setups include air and water filtration, which will fit into the tank and also can be tucked out of sight. The type of filtration system will be determined by the size of the tank, and most retailers will include the filtration system and other items in the overall sale and delivery.

One of the most important features of your corner fish tank is the stand on which you place it. There are several varieties of corner fish tank stands available today, and they come in a variety of styles – from wood to modern, stands are available to fit the decorations and design theme of any room. The stand will also usually include cabinets so you can store the necessary supplies like food and chemicals underneath and out of sight. As with any aquarium, you will need to properly feed your fish, and clean the tank every two to three weeks by removing at least 20-25% of the water.

As a finishing touch, make sure to select the right lighting, coral or plant add-ons, and gravel beds to capture the look you want. Gravel comes in a variety of colors, and there are a host of different add-ons you can choose from to compliment the look and feel of your decor. While many corner fish tank setups come with roof-mounted tank lighting, complimentary lighting from the bottom can create a unique effect inside the tank and provide a warm glow in the room.
 

Tags: corner fish tank, fish tank

Remodeling a fireplace can be fun. According to DoItYourself.com, modifying the appearance of a fireplace can be one of the most gratifying changes you can make to a room. There is some expense involved, but the payback is worth it. And, if you’re somewhat handy, it’s work you can do yourself.

First you have to determine the style you’re striving for: contemporary, traditional or modern. Since you’re working in a combination of wood, tile or stone, and maybe Sheetrock and plaster, proceed only after you’ve done your homework. Your home may be traditional, so let’s use this style as our prototype, but many of these principles still apply if your home is modern or contemporary.

Look through shelter magazines that show homes similar in style to what you like to help you identify the details that will be useful in designing your own fireplace. After you have about 10 to 20 pictures, you will see a consistency in style.

Now you’re ready to apply what you’ve learned to design your own fireplace surround. Because this is a project that requires a variety of tools and exact measurements for the end result to be perfect, if your own skills at using a hammer and saw, cutting tile and spreading cement are somewhat limited, I strongly encourage you to work with a good contractor or handyman who can implement your design. Even the pre-made mantels require some carpentry to ensure stability and permanence.

Walk through your designs carefully with the person who will make it and make sure he or she understands the end result you want. Order all your materials and wait for them to be delivered to your home before you start the work so you don’t get stuck in the middle of the project while you’re waiting for something. Once you have everything, this project should take no more than a day or two to complete.

Now you’re ready to apply what you’ve learned to design your own fireplace surround. Because this is a project that requires a variety of tools and exact measurements for the end result to be perfect, if your own skills at using a hammer and saw, cutting tile and spreading cement are somewhat limited, I strongly encourage you to work with a good contractor or handyman who can implement your design. Even the pre-made mantels require some carpentry to ensure stability and permanence.

With this information in hand you should have enough to redesign your fireplace surround into a more appealing focal point for your home.

Tags: remodelling a fireplace