Real OR Fake?

[Jay88]

Ok so for now i only have 3ft tank to work with. My tank is pretty dark since the gravel is black (real black not coloured, i was told coloured gravel is not good for fish). However, I want to brighten my aquarium up a bit. Now my question is, are artificial plants any good? I mean I want a BRIGHT red plant, and will mix a bit of cream white gravel with my black gravel to brighten my tank up a bit? Any tips or pics of small tanks you guys decorated to LOOK SICK! would be appreciated

 

[Columbian Shark Catfish]

Some fake plants I don't mind because they look nice. I don't like how algae collects on them though.
And the cloth-like plants sometimes start threading apart.

 

[Jay88]

Can anyone give me some pics on what they did? I think a brighter tank, allows fish to develop better colors from its environment?

 

[Ben.Sheppard]

I think a brighter tank, allows fish to develop better colors from its environment?

Thats an interesting thought, I think the way to develop a fish's colour is through its diet, but maybe plants do have an effect! I personally go for real plants, however with Oscars thrashing about it probably wasn't my brightest move! That and seeing bite size chunks out of the leaves! I would post some pictures but I am in the middle or a bit of remodeling on both tanks!

 

[iWantKicks]

dont add the white gravel... your eventually gunna have black and brown gravel..

 

[Jay88]

^^oh really? I have a baby flowerhorn around 2.5 inches lol... he cant do much damage yet..

and yes ive heard from a person whose actually a marine specialist, and ive heard this before from others as well that a fish tries to mantain the color of his surroundings.

I dont mean a goldfish will go purple when you keep it in a purple aquarium i mean like, for instance my friend keeps his tiger oscar (red and black), with very black gravel, red plants etc.. and his color is really strong.