yo-
first off, thanks all for checkin out my tank and givin me some suggestions to make it look its best!
lipreader- you suggested a small bottom feeder. what about snails?
jumpman- the plants are all real. i've got an old-school style tank (notice no braces, the glass is a lot thicker too) so buying a regular hood isn't an option... i COULD buy a really expensive hood like the kind you see on a lot of saltwater aquariums... i'm working on building a custom top and lights for it though, i just keep my blinds up in my room during the day so the plants get plenty of sunlight.
wetwetwet- the filter is a Penguin BIO-Wheel 330 power filter. i paid $48.95 without tax for it so lemme know if i got ripped off!
crusty barnacle- the rest of the decor in my room is black... black entertainment center, black bookshelves, black futon... i chose the light grey to kind of match my silver flat-screen tv and to 'lighten up' the room a bit.
dolphin- i've got a huge 51" piece of drifwood which i've cut into two different sizes.. i believe the wood is walnut from what i can tell. i've been letting it soak for days but who knows how long it will take because it's really hard wood, whatever it is... would bogwood stain the water any or look different from any other peice of driftwood? also... where could i find 'rooty' peices of driftwood?
from your suggestions and my personal opinion, a background is definitely in order! arite, i think that's it for now, peace. 8)
-mac daddy