A bare bottom fish tank has its own advantages over a substrate fish tank. There can be good flow in a bare bottom fish tank as opposed to the substrate one as more flow at the bottom would disturb the sand and the plants. The maintenance is also reduced in bare bottom tanks.
Actually Goldfish, Bettas, and Minnows will do just fine in a bare-bottom tank. Also, each species requires certain requirements with the tank. So the water type and temperature needs has to be checked.
What about hides? It would seem like many of them require some sort of place where they can feel safe and secure and not just out in the open.
That's the major advantage of planted aquarium over bare bottom tanks. Because some fishes need hiding places to hide from bigger or more aggressive fishes in the aquarium.
