Bare Bottom vs Substrate

[avalon]

Just to add, the reflections we see when we look in a bare bottom tank, aren't seen by fish, they just see the white styrofoam underneath the tank.

I use barebottom for my goldfish, but in my cichlid tank one side has a thin layer of gravel, the other side has large smooth river pebbles, makes it so much easier to clean.

 

[Chago09]

Something about a BB tank reminds of a 6x12 foot bare concrete cell or a zoo enclosure from 20 years ago. IMO The aquatic environmrnt should be as intresting to the fish as it is to the viewer.

The 'Fish farm' look might well be better for keeping large numbers of fish with less maintaince but it's not a very impressive display.

ya I agree with that.... bb looks like the polar bears at the zoo laying on concrete... not really natural.

 

[Bderick67]

As long as you are doing proper maintainence on you tanks, you will be fine either way. I keep both, although my bb discus tank always seems to be dirty because debree has nowhere to collect.

 

[Nabbig2]

Bare bottom is cleaner, but gravel is much more attractive and natural IMO. Some fish also really like gravel, like eartheaters.

 

[Rakie]

The way I've always done fishtanks is to make the actual aquarium decor more visually pleasing then the actual fish, It really makes the fish's colors pop and brings out natural behavior...

A buddy of mine has a half planted tank, one side has little gravel and one side is full on planted with some driftwood and small rocks formation etc etc...

He has a Parrot, firemouth and others that aren't consistently there (get replaced or given away, etc etc) and the fish Never hang out in the empty side, they like staying in the vegetation.

 

[Wolf3101]

That would make for a very intresting study...
What do fish actully prefur and thrive in...

Hmmmmmm.... I'll need 10....no wait...25... 8 foot tanks plus the equipment. A building to house them all in of course...
An assortment of fish...a few trusted associates...
Oh and before I forget.... about 3 mill in government grant money.