I must say, some of the people at AC seem to have a very closed minded attitude.
I've always appreciated properly aquascaped tanks, dutch style and dmack style, but I have come to realize that the Asian Style bare bottom monster tank is no worse by any means.
And just through experiments of my own, it seems if you give fish enough space, pristine water and good food, they thrive and they are happy, and could care less about substrate and decor. My fish are now in an almost bare tank, very small amount of sand, couple of bits of driftwood, they are happy, healthy and active. None of the bichirs, catfish or cichlids even use the driftwood, only the raphael.
Some of the BEST looking aros and stingrays I've seen have been kept in bare bottom tanks, sometimes crowded. That alone should tell you something, and open your eyes.
If you have good enough filtration, food, room and WC regime, the fish are happy.
It's just incredibly ignorant to dismiss this type of fishkeeping. It's certainly more advanced and challening keeping a stocked monster tank than a community aquarium.
I've always appreciated properly aquascaped tanks, dutch style and dmack style, but I have come to realize that the Asian Style bare bottom monster tank is no worse by any means.
And just through experiments of my own, it seems if you give fish enough space, pristine water and good food, they thrive and they are happy, and could care less about substrate and decor. My fish are now in an almost bare tank, very small amount of sand, couple of bits of driftwood, they are happy, healthy and active. None of the bichirs, catfish or cichlids even use the driftwood, only the raphael.
Some of the BEST looking aros and stingrays I've seen have been kept in bare bottom tanks, sometimes crowded. That alone should tell you something, and open your eyes.
If you have good enough filtration, food, room and WC regime, the fish are happy.
It's just incredibly ignorant to dismiss this type of fishkeeping. It's certainly more advanced and challening keeping a stocked monster tank than a community aquarium.