Igarapé do Daracua near Barcelos, Brazil

Aquarium information

Aquarium description

Set-up date

January, 2022

Aquarium decoration

Similar to my project, my 106-litre aquarium contains 10 kg of extremely fine beige river basin sand that was gathered from a nearby river. In my tank, I’ve utilised a lot of botanicals. I put a lot of dried magnolia leaves on the sand bed. Jacaranda, Gouri fruit, Sterculia, Swietenia mahagoni, and Tucanorum fruits are some additional botanicals, fruits, and pods that I have used.

All of this organic material releases a lot of tannin, naturally turning the water black, and also lowers the pH, maintaining it at around 4.0.

The rear part of the aquarium which I have used is white vinyl. Backdrop and front consists of fallen green leaves of Bactris major just like in nature. The centre of attraction is the driftwood collected from my locality making the environment more welcoming for the fish which are constantly swimming through the roots in the dappled light. There are little to no aquatic plants in my biotope.

Aquarium equipment

• Filtration-SOBO Hanging Aquarium Filter Pump 280L/H set to minimum flow with 250 grams of ceramic media and mechanical filtering blanket
• Lighting- Spotlight 3 Watt placed at an angle 25º (Warm Yellow Colour)

Fish care

The considerable amount of tannins contained in the water severely sullies the mechanical filtering element, hence routine maintenance includes a 20% top-up water change and monthly filter cleaning.

Every week, parameters are measured and, if necessary, modified. The replacement water from evaporation and top-ups receive the same attention and are already stored with some leaves so that it has physicochemical characteristics as near to the water of the aquarium as possible.

Once daily, the fish are fed, preferably with food designed for tetras and occasionally with live baby brine shrimps.

Fishes:

• Paracheirodon axelrodi

Plant care

Major flora are absent from my biotope. I only change the green Bactris major leaves once a month if they start to deteriorate.

Water care

I interchange 20% of my water in partial exchanges every month, as was already described. In order to add some tannins and acidify it, the make-up water is treated with antichlorine and preserved with a few dried leaves.

I use a buffer to maintain a steady pH equilibrium. Since the aquarium is inside the house and the weather is cool during winter, I occasionally use a heater to maintain the temperature.

Dimensions

Length

76 cm

Depth

45 cm

High

30 cm

Volume

106 L