Pink Gravel And 'no Fishing Signs' Etc...

[docbanzai]

And of course.... Many available species are captive bred and wouldn't know their 'natural' environment from a glass bucket (and probably wouldn't last five minutes if they were sent 'home'!)

I think gaudy tanks are part of the process for new aquarists. There is an inclination to create a fun and 'eye-catching' aqaurium. Over time, however, owners become fascinated by the fish themselves and then, gradually, do away with the plastic toys and replace them with more 'natural' decoration.

Personally I love some of the funky toys you can get. I have kept my plastic diver and consider it something of an icon! I also use silk plants due to the ease of keeping and the fact that they DO look nice. Don't care what you say, I'm not listening, nah nah nah

When it comes down to it, it really is a matter of personal choice/taste. As long as the fish don't suffer and have a suitable environment then go for it and have fun. After all, we keep fish for our pleasure and entertainment.

 

[Saedcantas]

I explained that they could but it may cause undue stress on an animal that is accustomed to blending in and being able to hide

Seriously, do some of you genuinely believe that a crab or any of the fish you might keep captive will actually be "stressed" by having gravel that to us looks bright pink? You're forgetting, many animals see the world extremely differently to us.

You only have to watch your pets (of any kind not just aquatic) to see that when it comes to animals, so long as the function is fulfilled, the form is irrelavant.

While I wouldnt ever dream of using any of the things that people are referring to here in my tanks at home or at work, there are too many suggestive comments here implying that simply because people are happier with or prefer to use fake, plasticy, bright or multicoloured decor in their tanks then by default they must either be beginners or not know any better.

Dont look down on people just because of their choice of decor, it really is very sad.

 

[docbanzai]

Dont look down on people just because of their choice of decor, it really is very sad.

I agree. As long as we provide a comfortable environment everything else is down to the owner. New or old, experienced or not; we create a tank to suit our own tastes and surroundings.

 

[PaulEbs]

i see what your saying. good points made there.

fair enough, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.. yada yada yada

 

[Synirr]

I always thought it would be hysterically funny if I had this gorgeous planted tank with a huge glosso field and then got a small ceramic decoration that said "Keep off grass", then enter it in Internation Aquatic Plant Layout contest.

That would be excellent
I have a tank that's both planted and has tacky ornaments, go me.

 

[dgwebster]

i actually rather like that.

i wouldnt mind doing a saltwater recreating an underwater "pirates of the carribean" scene with a broken ship n a number of pirates skeletons walking across the bottom. that would be natural in the hollywood world? lol

 

[SamUK]

That would be excellent
I have a tank that's both planted and has tacky ornaments, go me.

that tank would be awesome if it had turtels in and a little pool in the corner.

i really do prefer the natural look myself tho. hate tacky bright coloured things.

 

[lljdma06]

I always thought it would be hysterically funny if I had this gorgeous planted tank with a huge glosso field and then got a small ceramic decoration that said "Keep off grass", then enter it in Internation Aquatic Plant Layout contest.

That would be excellent

Ok, consider it done then. Just have to find the right sign. Something tasteful, similar to the classic "No fishing" post. I think Mr. Amano would actually find it funny, if the man has any sense of humor! Not so sure about some of the judges, at least in the contest I saw, they were particularly vicious and at times very moody. In defense of them, however, I would be grumpy too if I had to stare at pictures of hundreds of tanks, especially if I didn't have Cuban coffee to keep me going and a few pastelitos (Cuban pastries filled with many delectable things, yummy).

You watch it, I'm dead serious, I'll do it.

 

[catxx]

i like natural tanks, but i am guilty of really wanting a big skull to go in a tank so the fish can swim in and out of it's eye sockets and stuff, maybe have a plant growing out of its eye. hehehe.

the day-glo ornaments make my eyes hurt though.

 

[Bloo]

I always thought it would be hysterically funny if I had this gorgeous planted tank with a huge glosso field and then got a small ceramic decoration that said "Keep off grass", then enter it in Internation Aquatic Plant Layout contest.

Just for a laugh, I think that's an excellent idea !

 

[Miss Wiggle]

I always thought it would be hysterically funny if I had this gorgeous planted tank with a huge glosso field and then got a small ceramic decoration that said "Keep off grass", then enter it in Internation Aquatic Plant Layout contest.

Just for a laugh, I think that's an excellent idea !

Ian wants to do something similar, he's going for as 'professioinal and natural' a look as possible, white sand, plain background, heavily planted and not too heavily stocked, it's only a new tank but it's really starting to shape up beautifully.................. but he wants to put a little no fishing sign in just for a laugh
just his sense of humour, think it'd look quite cool

Personally I seriously doubt if the choice of decor makes that much odds to a fish, if they're kept in a well maintained aquarium with good water conditions and appropriate spaces to they're needs (i.e. caves or hiding places if they like them etc) but with pink gravel it's hardly going to make them ill. There's a lot more important things in fishkeeping.

I prefer the natural look for my tanks, but I was thinking the other day about what to do with a new tank and thought something really industrial looking, bricks, metal pipes and that sort of thing could look really cool, like modern art type thing. Now I know there would be all sorts of issues with metal toxicity etc but I think it would show you don't have to have sand, stones, bogwood and a load of plants to make an interesting looking tank

I'd like to see more people do different things with they're tanks

 

[cheeky_chappie]

fish live quite happily at sea in and around life size 'tacky' ornaments e.g. sunken ships, bones of dead sea mammals etc and i'm pretty sure fish in our aquariums don't stress about it too much if there are ornamental things like skulls, r.i.p. signs etc in there as long as the water stats are good and they're fed well.

50 yr old avid fishkeeper might want true to life environments ... some kids / teenagers (and probably adults) want 'fun' environments, so what's the problem.

lighten up

 

[Miss Wiggle]

oh yeah meant to put as well, it's things like that can get kids into the hobby and I think it's really important for kids to have pets, teaches them responsibility, and I think it's great to see young people who are interested in something other than just drinking on street cornes (how old do i sound? lol) so for that I think anything that gets people interested is great

 

[mark.w.jones]

Most children absolutely love all those "tacky" ornaments and they are a great way to get kids interested in fish keeping. Adding in new ones when they want to brighten things up. Anything that gets children interested in this great hobby has got to be a good thing IMO.

 

[Teelie]

So long as it's functional and maintained, I don't care. Almost everyone goes through the tacky phase starting out so it's hypocritical to complain about those who do, when most likely, you did it yourself. I assume some people didn't start that way but the majority did.

The tackiest thing in any of my tanks is a pagoda that my RTBS and Clowns like to stay in sometimes but it's going to be phased out once they are settled into their newer, larger tank this summer.

Also thought my avatar fits this thread nicely. It's not my tank btw.