Goldfish--Bare Bottom or sand?

[Yogosans14]

Hello everyone, I recently have become a big fan in keeping larger fish. I fell in love with the fancy variety of goldfish from watching some you tubers (solid gold). I have 2 juveniles in a 20 long and recently purchased a 40 breeder tank.

I hate having to clean substrate and my HOB filters do not like sand lol, I also want to paint the bottom of the tank black and try that. My concern is that goldfish normal behavior is to sift around and look for food, they are very intelligent fish and was wondering would they get bored and lethargic in such a environment?

 

[jwh]

Would you want to live for 20 to 50 years+ in a box where 5 sides are glass with little or no stimulation? I think we should create an environment which is as close and as stimulating as fish would have in nature as we can, including substrate, stone, wood, plants, current and filtration. No doubt some will disagree for the sake of expediency...

 

[note2self]

Yes, they would most likely get bored in a bare bottom tank. I always make sure to put sand, gravel, and/or plants in my goldfish tanks and as a result they seemed more lively and I guess healthier. You might not like cleaning substrate but I would go ahead and get some as your goldfish would definitely appreciate it.

 

[Allan01230]

I keep 2 commons in a 80 gallon tank and I use small size gravel they love digging in it. Could not image goldies in a bare bottom tank or any fish for that matter. oldfish love to dig in gravel its very natural for them

 

[ehh]

Would you want to live for 20 to 50 years+ in a box where 5 sides are glass with little or no stimulation? I think we should create an environment which is as close and as stimulating as fish would have in nature as we can, including substrate, stone, wood, plants, current and filtration. No doubt some will disagree for the sake of expediency...

boom. best post ive seen in a while.

 

[Yogosans14]

I Will be scattering river rocks+ potted plants across the tank guys lol...Im not going to make it look like a glass box