how would you fake that... the fish are swimming around in it aren't they??? as for needing live rock and correct substrate, that's just ridiculous. plenty of people do FO tanks that just run with HOB aquaclear filters, in which case you could totally fill it with cheap decorative crap like that. im not saying this guy knows anything about anything or that he did it correctly or that it was a good idea... just saying that it is doable if you were so inclined.