I think the bare bottom tank is easier to clean and looks good but you probably need a good bio filter because alot of benificial bacteria lives in the subtrate i think the fine grade sand looks better.What tipe of filters do you have.
Personally on this one, I have a fluval 405 canister, I use the fluval canisters on all of my tanks (except the 10 and 15, the 10 is my hatchery tank for food fish for the oscars, and the 15 is my girl's.) I just have some HOB filters in those 2. Here are some pics updated today, still not quite finished gravelling, need like 20 more lbs tops...I don't want too thick of gravel for these guys:
Here's the gravel and closeup of background:
Albino Oscar turning corner:
Who're you lookin' at?
Full Tank View:
Measuring Up:
Sick Oscar I call Skeletor (in 46 gal bowfront):
Closeup:
Synodontis Eupterus that's going in with Oscars soon: