Aquariums can be the focal point of a room's design

Have you ever thought of decor as quality entertainment? Instead of adding another trinket to dust, why not breathe some life into a room by adding an aquarium full of colorful fish? Today's stylish aquarium stands, cabinets and canopy sets make it easy to move aquariums from the basement to a focal point of the home.

Forget about the quirkylooking wrought iron and pine furniture aquarium stands of the past. Today's aquarium furniture incorporates both function and design to complement any taste from contemporary to traditional. Companies now offer beautiful aquarium stands, cabinets and canopies in a variety of colors and materials to match any decor- from rich wood grains to sleek metal finishes.

"Many baby boomers have fond memories of aquariums from their childhoods and so they want their new fish aquarium to be a beautiful enhancement to their primary living space, not hidden in the game room," said Ken Goff, vice president for Central Aquatics.

Also driving the resurgence in fish ownership among baby boomers is ease of maintenance. No matter how beautiful the aquarium is, busy families today don't have the time or inclination for heavy maintenance. New products can clean the tank easily using scraper systems or natural bacteria to keep water biologically healthy, eliminating the need for water changes for up to six months.

"Aquarium ownership has increased 31 percent between 1996 and 2006. We expect the growth to continue as people discover how easy it is to maintain aquariums and blend them aesthetically with their home decor," said Linda Staley, senior manager of consumer marketing for United Pet Group.

According to industry surveys, nearly 14.2 million households in the United States currently own home aquariums. The number one reason Americans own fish is for entertainment. Appearance and stress relief follow closely in second and third places, respectively. New technologies and beautiful furniture make it easier than ever to reap these rewards while putting aquariums front and center in the home.

This story is provided by North American Precis Syndicate Inc.