Personally, I think people should use whatever they want to. I've never tried buying crafted decor like ships, but if other people like it, then it's their choice. I've seen a betta tank with a buddah decoration in the center and I thought it looked decent. I have tried plastic plants and seen nothing wrong with them. I agree that a goldfish bowl is unsuitable for fish, but that is because it is too small of a habit for a goldfish. Choice of decor is a completely different thing..
Two factors are at work here: function - to keep a goldfish and be attractive, and form - a bowl with or without gravel and decor. As far as it goes when considering fishkeeping as a craft, it is pretty much a failure imo. As for aesthetics, placed well with an interesting fish and the bowl being a pleasant shape, it might be very successful. As an example of art, thumbs down for cliche and lack of craft.
And the thing you mentioned about a box filter stuck out...because I happen to run one. I see nothing wrong with box filters or sponge filters. Many people use them for fry or for shrimp. The the same types of bacteria grow on my box filter, as they do on any other filter. Here's a good thread from MFK on bio filtration...
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=264851.
Agreed, sponge and box filters are just fine re. biofiltration. Just, they seem like ugly intrusions into the space. If they're for a breeding tank, for fry, for shrimp, or for keeping livestock for sale, fine. I wouldn't dream of using them in an aquarium meant to express beauty. To me, form and technique must necessarily follow function and if part of the function is to be visually pleasing, to house either a naturalistic or highly artificial composition or aquascape, then filtration ought to fit in or at least be as unobtrusive as possible. If faced with the necessity of using air pumps and box or sponge filters, it is worth thinking about how to integrate them or at least make them unobtrusive in an aquarium meant for visual presentation.
Also, many people prefer having a bare tank not solely for easier cleaning(function), but because it does not distract the viewer from appreciating the beauty of the fish..
If the fish are 'happy,' then I am happy. Bare tanks can certainly be an example of purpose, mindfulness, and of aesthetics. Crowded ones overloaded with 'showoff' fishes are to me very ugly both in concept and appearance.
Unless it can be proven that "fake" decor makes a fish less happy, I don't see anything wrong with using them. In fact, I think we are making fish less happy by trying to prevent algae in our tanks. Algae can make fish feel more secure and "green water" can be used to feed small fish or fry. They also improve water quality and can block excessive light out of the tank.
I doubt low algae levels impact a fish's health and stress levels much at all. Could be wrong, but I doubt it. Now, green water as feed I can get with but it seems silly to use it to block excessive light when there are other means which do not obscure viewing. Of course, it could be an aesthetic choice and if it pleases the aquarist and is effective then bully for green water.
I think it is generally true that fish are less stressed in some environments than others AND that environments rich in live plants, hidey holes, stones, wood, and natural substrates are less stressful to many species of fish thus making for 'happier' fish. Certain species, like some African cichlids, could give a crap for plants but may be happier with shells and/or rocks and big gravel. Also, some darker artificially colored gravel may also put fish at ease.
I honestly believe that the craft of fishkeeping can exist without much aesthetic consideration, thus not ruling out any filter, substrate, lighting, tank, etc., which contributes or at least does not detract from the wellbeing of the fish and for whatever purposes the fish is kept for such as breeding, quarantine, growing out, etc. Bringing aesthetic and conceptual considerations into fishkeeping introduces the idea of it as an art.
Art is where we can all disagree. There are styles and trends and expressions of individuality, concepts such as mindfulness, balance, 'nature,' and the definitions of where craft ends and art begins or whether there is a clear boundary at all (my personal opinion).
The reader of my postings must understand that I'm not pretending to be Moses coming down from the mountain with commandments writ in stone but rather an opinionated hobbyist and critic with a background in fine arts, filmmaking, aesthetics, and computer science.
What I really hope to see in all the threads I post in and challenge people in is this, even in disagreement:
Less "why not"
More "how to"
Meaning rather than shoot down my suggestions, counter them with thought out, useful suggestions of one's own. Supplant or supplement my ideas with your own! Hooray! We all 'win.' Plastic plants can be used and may not be harmful at all, great, but how about some kinds of plastic plants, brands, sources of good ones, and how can they be used to advantage both for the fishes' welfare and our aesthetic, artful concerns?
I'm rethinking my take on clown vomit and plastic, and might find room in my world for an air pump or two but not in most cases.
