Inle Lake, Shan State, Myanmar

Water Chemistry

Water information

Water type: Fresh water
Water color: Clear water
Water transparency: High
Concentration of sediments: High
Water temperature: 24 °C
Water flow/curent: Slow

Chemical parameters

pH: 7.8
Conductivity: 295
GH: 19 mg/l
KH: 8 mg/l
Dissolved Oxygen: 70 %

Aquarium information

Aquarium description

Set-up date

February, 2022

Aquarium decoration

As a substrate, I chose a neutral beige sand and gravel mixture, and I made the sediment covering the soil from tree leaves and reeds. The Inle Lake has very few landmarks, and as it is quite shallow, so locals regularly thin out the aquatic vegetation and remove most of the trees that fall into the water to allow them to sail.

For this reason, I also used a minimum of wood when decorating the aquarium: a driftwood and some roots were included wheron I have grown some algae. The most pronounced decorative element is Ceratophyllum demersum, which provides hiding place for emerald dwarf rasboras like seaweed islands in the lake.

Aquarium equipment

Filtration: SUNSUN HBL-701 8 Watt hang on filter – 600l/h with TM30 sponge
Lighting: DIY LED lights – T5 8 Watt, 6500K

Fish care

The lush aquatic vegetation provides a suitable hiding place for these shy fish who, sensing the slightest movement, immediately hide. Since they are swimming bravely in this aquarium, I think I managed to model their habitat properly, reducing their stress level enough to spawn.

Water is on the room’s temperature, which is an average of 24°C to imitate natural temperature swings: of course in summer the water is hotter and colder in winter. I feed them only with live food like bloodworms, Enchytraeus buchholzi, brine shrimp and tubifex to keep them healthy and energetic.

Fishes:

Danio erythromicron (Danioninae)

Plant care

The aquatic plants found in this aquarium are Ceratophyllum demersum, Salvinia cucullata and Nymphoides sp. These plans do not need any special care I just have to cut back the Ceratophyllum demersum, when it grows too large.

The lighting imitates natural light, which promotes photosynthesis and plant growth and to help this I give a minimal plant food to these rapidly growing species.

Aquatic plants:

Salvinia cucullata (Salviniaceae)
Ceratophyllum demersum (Ceratophyllaceae)
Nymphoides hydrophylla (Menyanthaceae )

Water care

I usually change a third of the water every two to three weeks, in addition I only replace the evaporated water. I only clean the filter when its power has decreased too much.