Any of you feel this way ??

[smb7676]

My friend is really into fish and like my hubby his wife isn't really into it. So it is nice that he got back into the hobby. Until the other day I had not seen his 46 up and running. I had only been able to talk fish combo and filter ETC. So anyway I get to see his tank and ....... Walk into find this nice bow front tank with a mirror back( would not of been my background but I could look past it ). With funcky colored gravel and fake decorations and walls of bubbles, a bunch of really bad plastic plants (which some were hot pink). No real plants no caves the thing didn't even look like a natural enviroment and to top it all off. He mixed 4 different kinds of Chiclids and 2 bala sharks, and there isn't a rock in sight !! Why have a tank? He leaves the light off all day turns it on at 5:00 until 10:00. The fish will swim around all areas of the tank during the day but the second you turn on the light or go up to the tank the fish swim to the bottom back. I just don't get it. I have tanks and I like to create as natural of a tank as poss. I don't mean to offend anyone and broken ships with bubbles have a place but at least give the fish a place to be happy!!! I told him nicely that they needed more rocky places to hide and he said then he wouldn't be able to see them! ugh

So does a non natural tank bother you ?
Boy it does me !!

 

[Erised]

Well, he's only just starting, isn't he?

I remember my first tank, it was this tiny 2.5G blue plastic tank, with blue and white gravel. I did however have real plants ... but it still looked very fake. Back then I was the proudest tank owner ever!!!

Now, a year further ... I *hate* seeing those 'fake' tanks. His opinion on what looks good will probably change over time as well All you can do now is give good advice to at least keep the fish healthy.

 

[crazyelece]

I kind of like the "fake" aquarium look, but only if it is done without ignorance. For instance one of my tanks has an irredecent look with plum colored glass substrate, purple and blue pearl colored fake plants, a couple hollow ruins decorations with similar colors, and a blue mirrored backround. It actually looks pretty cool, but I intensionally set it up for this look.

 

[Tolak]

Set up a 10 gallon 13 years ago, beautiful red & blue gravel, with an air operated drawbridge/castle thingie. I had a CAE that loved to ride the drawbridge, I still have that kicking around somewhere in a box of aquarium supplies.

I like a more natural look on my show tanks, but that tank was set up for my daughter. Check out this link http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=94957&hl=

Tolak

 

[krash]

Y'all would *hate* my guppy bachelor pad (actually it was set up for my 6 and 3 year old girls). It's a 10g with 5 male guppies of all colors/tail types. Decorations are plastic hamster tubes and rainbow colored flourescent plants, with a rainbow colored neon cave and tower tossed in for good measure! And don't forget the rainbow gravel! It's about as tacky as they come, but the girls love it (and so do I). The guppies don't much seem to mind, and the girls love it when they swim through the tubes... I'll have to post a picture, but not until the otos come out of QT and take care of the algae on the glass!


Stacey

 

[Angry_Platy]

I kind of think it is really up to the person who has to look at the tank all the time how they choose to decorate their tank/s.

I have my 75gal mbuna tank full of large rocks. The BF always says I should take the rocks out so the fish can't hide and he can see them more often

 

[bettaboi]

i love a natual tank sure neon pink will catch your attention but some how it just doesnt look right

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

I personally don't go for the unnatural style tank setups although i myself did start out with some of that(what i know think is horible) multi colored fluresant gravel...
But when it comes down to it, it doesn't matter what your decor looks like as long as it meets the fish's needs, although it doesn't sound like the case with your friend here.
Its important you express to him the importance of cycling tank properly, maintaining good water quality and stocking the tank correctly otherwise he will most likely be in for some heart break- nothing looks better than a well stocked, maintained and decorated tank but not so much so when the fish are floating upside down dead in the water.

Show him some of the lovely natural style setup tanks on this forum and convert him to the green side and not the hot pink and taxi cab yellow one i say !

 

[Boxcar Muzzdogg]

Theres nothin wrong with letting him know about the proper way to keep fish. Maybe he just need it explained that the fish has evolved instincts for hiding from predators and they need to be met. If those requirements are met then the fish willl swim about happily because they wil beleive they are safe with their hiding spots available.

 

[Fish Buddy]

Yea, it bothers me too but I didn't think it looked so bad when I first started out.

 

[Mr Miagi]

People have diferent tastes. It doesnt matter how you feel he may love his tank. It happens on here all the time. Everyones different.

I dont see how you should let it "bother" you? Its someone elses tank. And they perseave beauty differently than you do.

 

[Torrean]

bother's as in offends the eye i assume. It bother's me in that since or is it sense. But I don't care as long as it's someone else's tank and the fish's requirements are met.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

People have diferent tastes. It doesnt matter how you feel he may love his tank. It happens on here all the time. Everyones different.

I dont see how you should let it "bother" you? Its someone elses tank. And they perseave beauty differently than you do.

Yes i think the main matter here though is that the current decor doesn't sound likes its offering the fish any shade or hiding places which they need...

 

[krash]

Y'all feel free to send your extra neon caves and bubbling scuba divers my way - we'll put 'em to good use!

One of the things *I* personally wanted when I started this hobby was a way to include my kiddos. The guppy tank is brightly colored, with brightly colored fishies, who like to cruise the tubes and surf the filter flow. It's entertaining for the girls to watch. They are also learning alot about fishkeeping. Like how to do water changes - they will carry the buckets for me when it's their tank, and mix up the water and add the dechlor. They are learning about the best way to set up a tank - slowly and cautiously - they help me read the colors on the water tests, and Delaney (my oldest) knows that if the ammonia isn't yellow and the nitrite isn't blue then the water isn't safe and we have to change some out. They are learning that overstocking is bad, and that 5 little fishes is just enough for right now, and will see other people's tanks and tell me that there are too many fishes in there to be happy. They are learning about the appropriate amount to feed them, and D's become a pro at nabbing a single bloodworm with the tweezers to feed the bettas. Cassidy will count out four of them, and tell the bettas "no more, you're being greedy!" I don't believe that they would still be interested if they had a tank that was so heavily planted and had so many rocks and caves that you couldn't see the fish....

My other tanks (with the exception of some of the betta QT tanks) are much more natural, with neutral colored gravel/rocks, more appropriate caves, and (supposedly) realistic looking silk plants. I'm planning my first *planted* tank - it's in the garage until the driftwood soaks long enough to sink and I'm ready to take on that project. Truthfully, that's my preferance as well, but I won't be disassembling the bachelor pad anytime soon!

Stacey

 

[Mr Miagi]

People have diferent tastes. It doesnt matter how you feel he may love his tank. It happens on here all the time. Everyones different.

I dont see how you should let it "bother" you? Its someone elses tank. And they perseave beauty differently than you do.

Yes i think the main matter here though is that the current decor doesn't sound likes its offering the fish any shade or hiding places which they need...

Very true, and i thought about it. But many "flouro" tanks may still provide cover for fish.

And Torrean makes a valid point. As long as the fishes recquirements are met.