I spent $600 on a perfect scaped tank... and my fish hid for days. Switched to a messy, natural layout, and they thrived. Who’s the tank really for?
Are we designing tanks for us, or for the fish?
- Thread starter greenlief3
- Start date
I design them for me
I'm not planning to get rare or endangered fish, not planning to keep any for conservation needs
I'm not going to keep a room full of fish tanks to breed or keep many different species
And I'm more interested in plants rather than fish anyway.. and I want something more pleasing to look at; and I'm not going to put fish into an environment where they are uncomfortable.
It's your aquarium, and your personal tastes, though... Do what is best for the person keeping the aquarium, if they do not like it it becomes unlikely that upkeep will happen .
I'm not planning to get rare or endangered fish, not planning to keep any for conservation needs
I'm not going to keep a room full of fish tanks to breed or keep many different species
And I'm more interested in plants rather than fish anyway.. and I want something more pleasing to look at; and I'm not going to put fish into an environment where they are uncomfortable.
It's your aquarium, and your personal tastes, though... Do what is best for the person keeping the aquarium, if they do not like it it becomes unlikely that upkeep will happen .
That’s such a great point — balance between what we enjoy and what actually works for the fish. I think a lot of us start with the idea of the "perfect" aquascape, only to realize the fish don’t care about symmetry or clean lines. Sometimes a chaotic mess of driftwood and plants is exactly what makes them feel at home.
Also totally get leaning more toward plants — a lush tank with healthy growth can be just as satisfying as active fish. Do you ever set up tanks with just shrimp/snails or no livestock at all, just for the scape?
Also totally get leaning more toward plants — a lush tank with healthy growth can be just as satisfying as active fish. Do you ever set up tanks with just shrimp/snails or no livestock at all, just for the scape?