PlanetCatfish.com

I am planning a 29 gallon catfish tank for when i get home over the summer. i was going to have a school of small tetras, 3-5 Upside down cats, and a clown pleco.

the info states that they eat driftwood. do i need to have real driftwood in the tank or will they eat other types of food?

i was hopong to avoid real driftwood if at all possible and just use the artificial since artificial wont discolor my water for 2 months.

The reason your supposed to add wood is because its apart of their diet and aids in digestion of their food. Artificial does not provide this at all. I would suggest adding some real wood. Clown plecos are small, it doesn't have to be very large.

Thw wood is necessary and in nature forms nearly the sole item in their diet. I am not sure what you mean by discolored water? You mean that beautiful, natural golden hue that fresh natural driftwood brings to an aquarium? It is all in the eye of the beholder. You will also find that the presence of tannins brings out the colors of your other fishes. If you are dead set against driftwood, get rid of the Panaque as it can not live any other way.
-Shane