is hiding place a nessesity?

[iwiied]

I don't want my dat (getting more soon) to hide all the time. i have him right now in an empty, sand bottom tank. will this be ok or is hidding place something i need to put in. if can be avoided i'd much rather watch them swiming in the open then hidding in a tube

 

[DiXoN]

imo yes, if it feels more secure it will be more likely to come out. the problem you have though is some adapt and feel more secure a lot faster / slower than others so you may see it in days or you may see it after a few months.
once of the tricks with fish keeping is to not stress them out too much.

 

[Ade]

I don't want my dat (getting more soon) to hide all the time. i have him right now in an empty, sand bottom tank. will this be ok or is hidding place something i need to put in. if can be avoided i'd much rather watch them swiming in the open then hidding in a tube

No hiding spaces does not neccessarily mean your tiger will be swimming out in the open.
They may be a bit shocked initially, and just stay in one position not moving for a while.
A bit of time and patience, with what ever set up you do, will soon reap rewards.

Dats less than 3 inch will almost definately hide behind the filter pipes.