bam Demanding level

Blackwater peatswamp, Northern Perak, Malaysia

Sponsored by
Educated by Nature

Malaysia, Taiping, Perak, Simpang Empat Semanggol

The aquarium has a volume of 250L. It represents a peatswamp in the northern part of Perak province in Malaysia. I was inspired by a video from this location that I saw on Facebook, and the information that this biotope is still intact was a great motivation.

I chose only such types of fish for the aquarium so that there would be no aggression between the species. 1/3 of the aquarium is optically partitioned by thick, fine roots of trees, which is supposed to imitate the shore. These fine roots are mainly used by Boraras maculatus.

The bottom is completely covered with a layer of leaves, just like in nature, and especially Desmopuntius hexazona show natural behavior and look for food in the leaves. Due to oxygenation, the water is blackened only behind the imitation of the shore, but in the main part of the reservoir the water level is calm, just like in the biotope in Nature.

Submitted by
Michal Klacek
Approved by
Heok Hee Ng & Greg Martin
GPS
5.0376644, 100.7283859
Geographical region
Southeastern Asia
Drainage Basin
River catchment
Water body type
Wetland
Water body name
Peat swamp
Water body part
Marsh land
Water body course
Source
Water body: tributary of
Wetland
Tributary name

Videos above and below water


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Water Chemistry

Water information

Water type
fresh-water
Water color
Black water
Water transparency
High
Concentration of sediments
Medium
Water temperature
26 °C
Water flow/curent
None

Chemical parameters

pH
5.0
Conductivity
110
GH
71.2 mg/l
dGH
KH
4 mg/l
dKH
Dissolved Oxygen

Aquarium information

Aquarium description

Set-up date
June, 2023
Aquarium decoration

As a decoration, I used the delicate roots of trees growing by the water. Strong roots and branches are like driftwood from the stream.

The bottom is covered by a layer of leaves that were naturally dried before soaking. The substrate consists of fine sand, under which in places there is larger gravel to hold the shape of the bottom.

I make the dirty effect with steamed coconut crumbs and detritus from other aquariums.

Aquarium equipment
  • Filtration consists of a foam filter, which is driven by air. This ensures sufficient oxygenation of the water and at the same time minimal flow.
  • Lighting is provided by small LED spotlights.
Fish care

I mainly ensure the health of the fish by regularly changing 1/3 of the water per week and a varied diet in the form of frozen mosquito larvae, live artemia and grindal.

But at the same time, they also receive a mixture of dry food, which I mix myself and contains herbs.

I also use the product Aquahum, which with its composition protects the mucous membranes of fish and at the same time colors the water thanks to tannins.

Fishlist:

  • Trichopodus leeri (Osphronemidae) – 6
  • Boraras maculatus (Cyprinidae) – 15
  • Desmopuntius hexazona (Cypriniade) – 20
  • Trigonostigma heteromorpha (Cyprinidae) – 15
Plant care

Eleocharis, which is in the aquarium, does not need any special care from my side, because I don’t even need it to be too prominent.

Aquatic plants:

  • Eleocharis sp. (Cyperaceae) – 6
Water care

I change the water in the aquarium 1/3 a week and the water is treated by reverse osmosis and then minerals and a tonic in the form of Aquahum are added. I haven’t cleaned the filter yet because the aquarium hasn’t been in operation for too long.

In the future, I will be forced to suck up decayed leaves about once every 2 months and replace them with new ones. I have practiced it in the same way in other tanks that I have ever had.

Dimensions

Length
100 cm
Depth
50 cm
High
50 cm
Volume
250 L

Substrate in aquarium

Sand
Beige
Pebble/Gravel
Beige
Stone
None
Stone form
Silt/Mud
None
Leaves
Many
Driftwood
Many
Submerged terrestrial vegetation

Sitography

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