bam Demanding level

Puddles, Malini River, Kotdwar, Uttarakhand, India

Sponsored by
Ahead through research

India, Kanvasharam Uttarakhand, Kotdwar

This 54L Biotope model is a representation of small and shallow puddles formed during dry season with dissected streams of Malini River after monsoon floods and landslides. The Shape and size of river keeps changing throughout the year due to variation in water levels and landslides prone area of Uttarakhand.

Being a nature enthusiast I love to travel to Uttarakhand often because it is full of wildlife and forest. My trek into the deep forest near Kanvashram, Kotdwar, Uttarakhand inspired me to recreate these small puddles into a biotope model at my place so I can enjoy that beautiful part of nature everyday.

I personally filmed and collected all crucial data required for this BAM. I used the same hardscape material including broken woods, leaves, pebbles, sand and rocks in my model to try to mimic the natural habitat of the fishes. And I scaped it with all my best skills and efforts keeping in mind the natural essence of the real Biotope.

Submitted by
Abhineet Prakash Anand
Approved by
Hans-Georg Evers & Friedrich Bitter
GPS
29.8192005, 78.4761963
Geographical region
Southern Asia
Drainage Basin
Ganga
River catchment
Ganga river
Water body type
Puddle
Water body name
Puddles of dissected streams
Water body part
Pool
Water body course
Headwaters
Water body: tributary of
Puddle
Tributary name
Malini river (Ramganga)

Videos above and below water


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Water Chemistry

Water information

Water type
fresh-water
Water color
Clear water
Water transparency
High
Concentration of sediments
Low
Water temperature
24 °C
Water flow/curent
Slow

Chemical parameters

pH
7.0
Conductivity
100
GH
130 mg/l
dGH
KH
dKH
Dissolved Oxygen

Aquarium information

Aquarium description

Set-up date
June, 2024
Aquarium decoration

Pebbles, rocks, sand, wood and leaves are collected from the similar area to recreate the biotope to mimic the natural habitat of the respective fish species. I tried to scape keeping in mind the biotope in Nature which is affected by the flood and landslides post monsoon with unsettled rocks and sand with driftwoods or roots stuck between them.

Aquarium equipment
  • Filtration : Canister filter for mechanical and biological filtration with 800L/H filtration rate.
  • Internal corner filter for additional circulation.
  • Lights: DIY.
Fish care

The aquarium recreates the natural habitat of the respective fish species. Placement of rocks and stuck driftwoods and fallen leaves is done in a way similar to that of in nature to make fish feel at home. The aquarium is maintained in a way to keep the water parameters almost equivalent to the original. And lights are made and automated in such a way to grow algae on rocks similar to that of in nature. The species I keep feeds on algae and aquatic worms and larvae. Therefore, I feed them with algae wafers, blood worms and daphnia besides naturally grown algae. Water changes are made slowly with frequency twice a week.

Fish list:

  • Schistura sp. 7
  • Garra sp. 3
Plant care
Water care

Water changes are made slowly with frequency twice a week. I try to balance the water chemistry similar to that of in the natural habitat of respective fishes.

Dimensions

Length
60 cm
Depth
30 cm
High
30 cm
Volume
54 L

Substrate in aquarium

Sand
Grey
Pebble/Gravel
Mixed
Stone
Grey
Stone form
Irregular
Silt/Mud
Grey
Leaves
Few
Driftwood
Few
Submerged terrestrial vegetation
None