True to environment or to your taste?

[mjime714]

When you decorate your tank, are you more about being true to the environment of the fish you are keeping or is it more about what you like?

I was reading a site where there was a heavily planted African tank. A killer looking one at that. Show quality. Anyway, the reviewer dogged it bad because its not the habitat that they live in although the fish were healthy and breeding.

What are your opinions on this? Stay authentic or go with what you like?

 

[Mourinho18]

I say go with whatever floats your boat. Most of the fish we in the hobby don't come directly from the wild so they wouldn't notice the difference. I have a killer idea for my 75 gallon setup with a D-Day "replica".

 

[fishnutham]

depends on the species and your plans if you want to breed your fish they need a biotope setup to get them in the mood some don't ,as benfica540 said most fish dont come directly from the wild and become aclimated to there conditions so dont worry about creating the perfect habitat more stress then its worth in most cases.I always have wanted to do a plant ridden ancient ruins .

 

[Gamefishin]

I was reading a site where there was a heavily planted African tank. A killer looking one at that. Show quality. Anyway, the reviewer dogged it bad because its not the habitat that they live in although the fish were healthy and breeding.

What are your opinions on this? Stay authentic or go with what you like?

Well I hope those people that were complaining have all natural native sand/plant/rocks/ect ect to the fish they have. I better not see a plant native to North or South America in their tank. The gravel better not be some Petsmart crap, it better be imported straight from the fishes native area. That's what I call authentic......ooh and I'd argue that that "TAP" water they used to fill the tank is not 100% authentic too.....

I guess some people go overboard but that's they're decision. I always listen to suggestions and prefer authentic habitats too but it's just hard to get the plants, rocks ect ect all the time.

 

[MaJiKTeRRoR]

I think some people have too much time on there hands that they can sit around and b***** about who's tank is more correct. I think species tanks are good enough for me.

 

[Sescil]

I think tank decor and its inhabitants area matter of preference. I tend to go with the species/biotype setups myself ... But, who am I to chastize anyone for their one personal taste ... Lets face it, we all got inot this hobby because it brings us some sort of enjoyment. So set up your tank however you want, just keep the fish healthy and happy.

 

[Ash]

I have africans and I keep them in a sand tank with lots of plants and some tree stomps with holes for hiding and a clear tube pipe they like swimming throuhg, I like my set up =) Its def. not where they came from, but they are happy healthy and I am pretty sure I have a breedingpair, and just as much as that works I bet the natural habitat works just as well, I think whatever cooks your rice .. or maybe fish..hmm but it works =)

 

[gomezladdams]

Sort of. My africans have lots of rocks but im pretty sure the black and blue gravel and plastic plants isnt correct.My oscar tank with bogwood and natural gravel is more natural looking but I know the red tail shark is from the other side of the world,and the pleco and pictus are river fish.

 

[mjime714]

I always have wanted to do a plant ridden ancient ruins .

I saw a sweet reef tank at a LFS where he had a vintage war plane model at the bottom inbetween all the live rock and coral. There was a large amount of growth on the plane to where it looked like something out of the Discovery Channel. Enough so that you didnt know it was a model plane until you see some of the graphics peaking through. That was sweet!

 

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

I once dedicated an 80 gal tank to the topic SouthEast Asia. Looked awesome! Flora & fauna absolutely authentic. I drew the line regarding geology, though.

It's fun to do it, I certainly know that it's a lot of research and limitations in your decor. Very rewarding, though.

Having said that, I am not doing it again. I like cryptocoryne too much to ban it from my tank with African Butterfly fish.

HarleyK