tank decor...drift wood

[azzbackwards]

I have some bigger tanks (150+) I have always used huge pieces of drift wood for decor and keep monster fish in my tanks...I see a lot of other monster tanks all bare no decor...Nothing...So do u feel it's necessary or not necessary to have decor?? Does it stress the fish out not having places to hide behind??

 

[tlindsey]

Imo I think it depends on certain species of fish, I have a 180 setup with nothing but gravel had most of fish in it for years. I do have dim areas for my bichirs to go to if they wanted to escape from the light.

 

[Jamesrazel]

Depends on the tank stock. Example: my 120g with my gars have branches as to not impeed their turning. My 55g has nice piece of drift wood for my pleco/fire eel/endlicheri to hide in.

 

[boldtogether]

I have some bigger tanks (150+) I have always used huge pieces of drift wood for decor and keep monster fish in my tanks...I see a lot of other monster tanks all bare no decor...Nothing...So do u feel it's necessary or not necessary to have decor?? Does it stress the fish out not having places to hide behind??

I have always believed in representing the environment from which the fish originate...to a certain degree anyway...with a mix of different regions displayed, I have always felt that a fish will behave closer to what it would behave like in nature if the tank has a natural feel.
Of course many people believe that fish don't care or know any better if they have been bred and raised in captivity, and I would have to agree....but the aesthetics to a human environment is then a motivation for decor.
Whatever appeals to you is okay and no one really has any say how you decorate. Stress on fish from decor or lack thereof should be considered however. I have never had fish that behaved well in a bare tank....conversely, fish competing with decor for tank space experience a different stress altogether.
I say try a bunch of methods...especially those you find appealing. Stick with the one you find works for you and remain open to change.

 

[azzbackwards]

I love decor bc I feel a tank is like a piece of art work in your home BUT most fish I keep ate monsters do they take up a lot of room and having no decor gives them more room...I'm gonna try putting a few boulders in first and gradually add more I just see a lot of YouTube videos of monsters tanks...usually bare with a few air stones

 

[Allan01230]

Myself I always like decor in my 33 long (barb tank) I have gravel plastic plants and a vintage ceramic hunk of pipe. Looks great In my 75 where I keep two large common goldfish just gravel and an airstone, the goldies would uproot any plants and would injure themselves on any bogwood in the tank