Uge River tributary, Mamberamo, Indonesia

Aquarium information

Aquarium description

Set-up date

September, 2023

Aquarium decoration

I tried to imitate the biotope by creating a harmonious space, in which you see a root anchored to the ground, beige fine sand, stones and Leptochilus pteropus, placed in a way that makes it pleasant for the living creatures in the aquarium, where they have space to swim and to hide, to interact and to have a natural behavior.

With various seeds, fruits and leaves of Brachychiton populneus, Sterculia foetida and Nelumbo nucifera. These are all species of trees and terrestrial plants that surround the stream.

Aquarium equipment

• Aquarium Eheim Vivaline 240.
• 2 filters Oase Biomaster 350 loaded with biological material and sponges, with built in heater and 2 water outlets, one on each side, creating a circular flow on the surface.
• For lighting there are 2 Eheim Classic Led Plants and a dimmer to simulate sunrise and sunset.

Fish care

The fish feel comfortable and behave naturally because they are surrounded by natural elements and water parameters and temperatures very similar to chose of their biotope. The dimmer makes them feel more at ease – they are not frightened when the lights go on or off, because it is progressive.

I feed them 3 times a day in small portions of a good quality dry food, and I also feed them 2 or 3 times a week with live Artemia, to awaken their natural instinct.

The water current is gentle but sufficient to oxygenate the entire surface and cause gas exchange. Water changes ar once a week of 20%, with the water at a temperature similar to that of the aquarium.

Every month I add live bacteria to reinforce the bacterial colony, also when clean the filter or the tubes. I like to have 2 filters because if one fails, or is cleaned, the other one is left untouched, so there are never any nitrite or nitrate problems.

Plant care

The plants thrive on the nitrogenous compounds generated by the fish and I also fertilise them 3 days a week, before the lights are switched on, with micros and macros.

The lighting consists of 6 hours a day, with imitation or sunrise and sunset, although for several hours more, the aquarium receives indirect light form the windows. As they are Leptochilus pteropus, they do not need nutrient substrate, as they are root-bound and in holes between rocks.

Water care

I change the water once a week, about 20%. Once a month I add live bacteria and change one of the two pre-filters, replacing the sponges with clean ones.

Every 4 or 5 months I clean one of the two filters, and add live bacteria. This way I make sure that as least one the two filters has the bacterial colony intact and the water flow is always continuous but not too strong, by regulating it with the tap on the filter tube.

Dimensions

Length

120 cm

Depth

40 cm

High

50 cm

Volume

240 L