Hanzo, I share your sentiments re driftwood. However, let me offer some advice on large wood pieces based on my own very unfortunate experience.
I had two gorgeous pieces that I'd been saving for years to install in my 135 gal. They were gnarled and pocked and twisted. Very interesting...but very large. They looked great in the tank.
The pieces served very much like a coral reef in that the fish, including Apistos, stacked out territories around them and community activities centered around the open area in front.
Over time, though, I became more and more frustrated with the fact that the wood really limited my planting space. I had too few options of the types of plants I could use and the aquascaping changes I could make. Since my prime interest is in growing and 'scaping live plants, things became intoleratable.
Just this past week, Cavan helped me rip the driftwood out. I can't overstate my relief. I'm ready to start again.
The moral, I think, is that, though stone and driftwood add interest and are critical to a high end aquascape (ever notice how unimportant some aquascapes seem without them?) , their presence should be subtle and understated.
Hardscape should not be the star of the tank. It should be only hinted at. Its purpose, as in outside ornamental gardening, is to provide the "bones" of your 'scape. Oh! And it should not be too large.
This is the lesson I learned the hard way. I hope it's helpful to all.
