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		Hybrid Tanks
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		Plants on Driftwood - Similar to potted plants but without any gravel. Attaching plants such as Java fern, Java moss, riccia, Bolbitis, etc. to the driftwood and setting the wood on the bare bottom, a natural look can be obtained, again without the problems of keeping the gravel clean. A little more expensive but easy to maintain. Small amounts of plants can be kept without the need for adding CO2 or daily fertilization. Many other aquatic plants besides the ones mentioned can also be kept without gravel. Hanging Driftwood - By attaching driftwood pieces to the tank lid (or a crosspiece), you can create a realistic looking scene for your discus. It allows you to have a decorated bare tank bottom, in fact, the driftwood is easily pulled completely from the tank for easy cleaning. Plants can be attached to the driftwood. My discus love the protection the wood provides. Background Decor (outside of tank) - Printed backgrounds have evolved quite a bit from the wrinkled foils of the old days and might be worth looking into. Also there are some interesting wall paneling (cork, wood grain, knotty grain, etc.) that can be used. Though this is technically not a hybrid tank, this can be combined with other options to add depth and distract attention from the tank bottom. Background Decor (inside the tank) - The wall paneling mentioned above can be mounted on the inside of the tank to get a look of nature. The advantages being that layers of materials can be used, plants can be attached to the panels, and the background is not beign seen through the back glass (it makes a difference). It is also possible to "sculpt" a background out of fiberglass or various resins. Very easy to clean if the back does touch the floor and there is a lot of room for creativity. Moss Wall - These are very impressive to see and make the bare tank bottom disappear almost. Java moss or an equivalent is grown on an egg crate attached to the back glass of the tank. It is likely more expensive and more work to set up and maintain, but it is easy to clean. CO2, special lighting, and fertilizer may be required. Thin Substrate - A thin layer of substrate (1/2" or less) can be kept almost as clean as a bare bottom tank, it allows the vacuum to penetrate to the glass and prevents build up of uneaten food and solid wastes. There is also little chance of anaerobic bacteria activity. The drawback is the the plants aren't anchored as well, in fact, if many plants are used, the benefit of the thin layer is lost because cleaning becomes more difficult. Sand Substrate - Large grained white sand is very easy to keep clean, especially in thin layers (less than 1"). Again plants don't anchor well but it is possible to do. Some of the options may seem like a poor replacement to those Amano tanks we've all seen and admired, but get a nice background, a thin layer of sand substrate, a couple nicely planted pieces of driftwood, and some philodendron roots, and you'll have a tank that is easy to care for and looks impressive too. And what tank looks bad with discus in it?

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