TBH...you'd be better asking instore. I use mine for goldfish, but you can get the heater and all to make it suitable for tropical fish and have loads of smaller fish. As for the empty look, you can get accessories for the Biorb to make it more appealing to look at. There are different size ones so the bigger the biorb the more plants you can have. You have to clean the filter at least once every week, you can get them for about a 5 pound. The stones provided are specifically designed for the boorb and dont need to be cleaned like other stones/gravel might, although I would change mine once a month to keep them from getting grubby. Again they are about 5 pound a bag. Personally I think they are more eye catching than a normal tank.