Help me redecorate

[LeahK]

I am unhappy with my "aquascaping." Because I don't want to invest in more lighting, I stick to the two plants that work for me: anubias and java moss. So I am limited to what I can do with those plants and driftwood.

My dilemma is over the last "fake" thing that's in my tank, the tall tree root decoration on the right. My clown loaches sleep in it, but now that they're going to a fabulous new home, I'm debating whether to keep it or take it out. Here's the pro's and con's:

Pros:
1) It's a great hiding place for the fish.
2) It adds height to the tank.
3) For whatever reason (I guess because it's closest to the lights) it grows the most green algae for my otos. (The rest of my algae is brown algae, and I read on wetwebmedia that otos need green algae in their diet).

Cons:
1) It's such a great hiding place for the fish that I can't see them at all when they're in there. I'm buying kuhli loaches after I re-home my clowns, and I'm worried that I'll never see them.
2) Aesthetically, I think I'd rather have "real" stuff in the tank (and I count terra cotta pots as "real").

So, if I get rid of it, then I'd get one big centerpiece of driftwood and rearrange everything around it. But since I don't want to take away the otos' green algae source, I was thinking of breaking the decoration with a hammer and leaving the top part in the tank, kind of like a cave, I guess.

Is that a bad idea? What should I do with that decoration? Any other tips to help me aquascape with my limited lighting?

(Edit: ignore that random piece of airline tubing stuck to the glass. My clowns like to swim around it :grinyes

 

[calivivarium1]

Grow green algae on rocks in buckets outside. Then move a few of the rocks to your tank and replace them as the algae gets eaten.

As for the tree-root thing, I don't really like it. But if your fish hang out inside of it, this means that they need hiding spots to feel secure. Get some real wood and make roots out of it...

 

[Iceeeyyyy]

remove it and throw it away forever, I think their tacky looking... get some real driftwood for the tank

 

[1oooop]

remove it and throw it away forever, I think their tacky looking... get some real driftwood for the tank

aggreed

 

[captaincaveman9]

cant beat the real thing for sure

 

[jbradt]

Real wood would be cool, but if you cover it in enough java moss, it doesn't matter as much what it's made of... :idea:

 

[nguyendetecting]

what is that airline tube for??? lol

 

[catnipgal]

I have a silly question

Please delete.

Question was already asked.

 

[spunjin]

Real wood is best especially with plants and moss attached. Stumps with small root systems intack make great hiding places.

 

[DrNo]

Real driftwood is preferrable, but sometimes you need an artificial product to achieve a certain tank effect. Large 'stump looking' tree roots are not easy to find. Grapevine looks great, but the stuff rots very easily in water. If you can find a piece of driftwood that you like, replace it. Otherwise, you have a good looking product and I would keep it if you like how it makes the tank look.