plain or planted?

[godog427]

Was just wondering, there are lots of different tank styles and setups, why did you chose yours? gravel, or bare bottom, planted or not, is it personal opinion why tanks are set the way they are or is it depending on the fish. The main reason i ask is because of comments made by roommates about my newly set up tank inhabited by a 4-5 inch pike and 13 inch shovelnose, i chose to keep it simple no gravel, no plants, allow more room for the fish, cleaner environment, and i wanna see fish not a diorama. comments and opinions are appreciated.

 

[aquabee]

I'd guess you're right... Has to do more with personal preference and your maintenance regimen as well. I personally like having a substrate because many fish will exhibit certain behaviors when given sand to play with (fronts, geos, even shellies).

 

[rgonzales]

My rcs tank is planted because the scrimps like it, i wish i could keep plants in my 240 but its pointless the fish would just uproot them all

 

[aquabee]

Yeah man. As much as I love my geos spraying sand everywhere, it's pretty annoying when you wake up one morning and walk out and see your vals acting like floating plants.

 

[probassfisher010]

I prefer planted/driftwood/rocks because well...I prefer a tank where I can view the fish act as close to as it would act in its natural environment, sure bare bottom is easier maintence, but watching a fish move sand, sift sand, dwell in caves, search for food through plants, is more enjoyable then watching the fish cower behind the only cover it has, usually the filter intake.

 

[Excedrin102]

I prefer planted/driftwood/rocks because well...I prefer a tank where I can view the fish act as close to as it would act in its natural environment, sure bare bottom is easier maintence, but watching a fish move sand, sift sand, dwell in caves, search for food through plants, is more enjoyable then watching the fish cower behind the only cover it has, usually the filter intake.

+1 I like watching them poke their heads out from a cave and watch me,they think I can't see their little heads...lol


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[Allan01230]

Just my opinnion but hate barebottom tanks, I prefer some driftwood and a few large plastic plants with natural gravel. I like the plants with the large bases.

 

[Fat Homer]

I prefer planted/driftwood/rocks because well...I prefer a tank where I can view the fish act as close to as it would act in its natural environment, sure bare bottom is easier maintence, but watching a fish move sand, sift sand, dwell in caves, search for food through plants, is more enjoyable then watching the fish cower behind the only cover it has, usually the filter intake.

Couldnt have said it better myself... Not to mention i keep puffers, which are fish known to love exploring their tanks and that can get bored easily...


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[trick1441]

I've tried all different setups, for me it's really about what I have in the tank. Like if I want plants I cant go bare bottom. I just change the look of the tank when I get bored or find new ideas from others on here. I think My favorite so far is black sand, lots of live plants, black background, driftwood, and some nice rocks. But I've found that less is more sometimes.


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[godog427]

i do also have my oscars and a pleco in a tank that i play around with plants and such, i do enjoy watching them interact with new objects. the catfish and pike not so much, the pike just wants to hide in his tube or be a feisty little prick and the catfish always scanning the tank for food figured they didnt need much. even with cover the pike is in the tube and catfish out in the open on the bottom.