Gumbii. You have such a level headed and insightful way of looking at things. I think it's true that many people do put a lot of effort into their tanks even if they don't want to go with live plants or can't because of the fish. If you live in an area with some nice aquarium-only stores it's amazing how beautiful they can make their tanks, especially the salt water ones. I've never seen a live coral tank in a large public aquarium come even close to the beauty of most aquarium stores in my city, and that goes for planted tanks too. I've been to Sea World and the Aquarium of the Pacific in California, and finding a live plant or live coral in their multi-million dollar businesses is near to impossible. The thing I got from seeing beautiful planted tanks in the aquarium stores in my area is that it's so easy! If you have some halfway decent lights and gravel that's not really large in size, and a couple inches deep, all you have to do is buy the plants and stick em in, pretty much. Gumbii, I also like to incorporate things from my natural environment as long as I clean them. I have a virgin geode in my 100 gallon on the right side. It's one of those rocks that is like a crystal cave when broken or cut open. I know it's probably beautiful inside, but I like the virgin egg like quality of it and I don't want to open it. I've got some big round rocks from the beach as well. I just wish I was able to find wood that will sink and not rot like the nice African (or whatever) wood avaliable at aquarium stores that costs so much money. However our tanks are decorated, the reality is that we have beautiful, living ,mini worlds that bring us a great deal of happiness.

ha... it's funny when you mention the level headedness and stuff...

when people see me they trip out on the way i look... don't judge a book by it's cover... or thier tank...

I'm not bithcy... I am a bitch.

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!