myth or fact: Using substrate for asian arowanas are harmful

[henward]

I am getting conflicting theories.
I have substrate for my aro, healthy as a brute.

but someone said that most asian fish keeprs will not have substrate as its easier to clean (true) and harbour diseases causing portruding scales (mmmmm portruding scales is dropsy...) if you clean the gravel, why should it have disease? if its clean with introduced, the gravel should be fine.
Fine gravel does not retain as much dirt, i use silica sand - its always clean as i have bichirs constantly stirring the bottom.

any feedback ?
Also, i want to plant my Red aro tank - is this ok? anyone tried planting their arowana tank?
nothing too much just some swords at the bottom.
i know aros should have as much swimming space as possible. but plants are quite natural.

 

[rhodes_96]

Not having substrate easier to clean = yes.
Having substrate cause disease like protruding scales = false
Regular substrate cleaning as part of your tank maintenance equals a healthy tank = yes.

 

[henward]

i agree, how about a planted tank for a arowana?
its a dream of mine lol
semi planted tank, swords on teh bottom with a few plants reachign the top... some wood...... big fat red aro!
im sure nature has substrate and plants..

so, what is the purpose of no substrate.... apart from easier cleaning, im sure the light reflecting from the bottom will help lighten the tank... what else?
anyone?

 

[keni]

ot shure about the purpose of no substrate. but i have a semi planted tank that my silver aro is in with a few tank mates. i love the way it looks...

 

[aclockworkorange]

Bare bottom tanks are easier to keep clean, but I think they look ugly... the substrate causing diseases thing is totally false, but I don't know if there would be any other reasons for not keeping an aro with substrate.

Planted tank sounds like it would be cool!

 

[Hot Slime]

That's just the purpose of no substrate.....easy to clean. Your tank also looks clean, simple. A semi planted tank would look great, I've seen pics of a red in a fully planted tank and it was awesome. If you want to go with a semi planted tank go for it.

 

[rhodes_96]

i agree, how about a planted tank for a arowana?
its a dream of mine lol
semi planted tank, swords on teh bottom with a few plants reachign the top... some wood...... big fat red aro!
im sure nature has substrate and plants..

so, what is the purpose of no substrate.... apart from easier cleaning, im sure the light reflecting from the bottom will help lighten the tank... what else?
anyone?

A tank with black backgroud and base (bare bottom tank or bbt), especially tanks that are more than 28" high can look really clean and neat, especially with some monsterfish. The dark colour of the backgroud combined with the dark bare base and higher viewing location and some subdued lighting, gives the tank are more open look and appear larger than it is. The darker colours also bring out the best contrast and colouration for your fish.

As for the plants, you can go for a planted tank and aros no problems. Good thing about the aro is it will leave your plants alone most of the time unless it's hungry and some food drops into your aquasaping in which case, you may have to fix it. Plants on driftwood works well. Anubias on driftwood is a popular one.

 

[ettfettbranamn]

no, you may not have any plants or substrate for your arowana!! ..I know, not an asian and I would like to apologize for my lacking taste in fish

 

[arrow]

I personally prefer a wide open tank, just a few low type plants should be fine.
As for substrate its whatever you like, I just recently removed all of my substrate and plants from my 220gal. It looks weird at first but you quikly get used to it, and the ease of maintainece is awesome. Best decision that I ever made, w/c's are no longer a chore and my tank is always spottless

 

[Moloch]

Something (TO ME) about not having a substrate seems like you're selling your fish short...I know its probably not a big deal at all...it just seems like its not ideal for the fish. Do you still put in other things like driftwood or other decor? I can't imagine having things sitting on the bottom of the tank without substrate.

I dunno, it just doesn't seem "right" to me, but I'm not trying to call anybody cruel for doing it.