1. WELCOME TO THE AMAZON

Let’s explore one of the most famous rivers in the Amazon rainforest. Its name is the Rio Negro. The Rio Negro is located in South America and is part of the Amazon ecosystem.

Its water is very special:
✅ Soft
✅ Slightly acidic
✅ Amber colored
✅ Rich in roots and fallen leaves
✅ Home to many fish and plants

The Rio Negro is full of life.

This variety of living things is called biodiversity.

2. WHAT IS BIOTOPE?

A biotope is a small copy of a natural habitat.
Our aquarium will recreate a tiny part of the Rio Negro.

2. WHAT IS BIOTOPE?

We will use:

💧 Water
🌳 Roots
🍂 Leaves and botanicals
🌿 Plants
🐟 Fish

Together they create a living ecosystem. An ecosystem is made of:

Biotope = the environment
Community = the living organisms
Together they form nature.

3. WHAT DO WE NEED?

Aquarium Equipment

• 30 L aquarium
• Filter
• Heater
• Thermometer
• Aquarium light
• Magnet Cleaner

Natural Materials

• Fine sand
• Root or driftwood
• Plants
• Leaves and botanicals

Animals

• Cardinal Tetras (Paracherodon axelrodi)
• Snails

Optional:

• One Ancistrus sp.

Tetra Products

• Tetra AquaSafe
• Tetra SafeStart
• TetraMin Flakes
• Tetra Wafer Mix
• Tetra PlantaMin
• Tetra Test 6in1
• Tetra AirSilent (optional)

4. CHOOSING THE RIGHT PLACE

Place the aquarium:

✅ On a strong and level surface
✅ Away from direct sunlight
✅ Away from radiators
✅ Away from air conditioners
✅ In a quiet area

Do not place the aquarium near a window.

Too much sunlight can cause algae growth and overheating.

BUILDING THE HABITAT

Step 1

• Install the filter according to the instructions.

Step 2

• Add the fine sand.
• The sand represents the river bottom.

Step 3

• Add the root or driftwood.
• Roots are one of the most important features of the Rio Negro.

Step 4

• Add leaves and botanicals around the roots.
• These natural materials help create the appearance of a real Amazon habitat.

5. IDEAL WATER CONDITIONS

To create a healthy Rio Negro biotope, the water must be stable and natural.

The ideal conditions are:

🌡️ Temperature: 25–27°C
⚗️ pH: 6–7
💧 Water: soft and slightly acidic

These conditions help fish feel safe and show natural behaviour.

Always check the water regularly and keep conditions stable.

Small changes are better than big changes.

6. PREPARING THE WATER

Good news!

You can use normal tap water.

Step 1

• Fill the aquarium with water.

Step 2

• Add Tetra AquaSafe.
• AquaSafe makes tap water safe for fish by removing chlorine and heavy metals.

Dosage

• 5 ml for every 10 litres.
• For a 30-litre aquarium:
• 15 ml AquaSafe

Step 3

• Add Tetra SafeStart.
• SafeStart contains good bacteria that help create a healthy biological balance.

Dosage

• 5 ml for every 6 litres.
• For a 30-litre aquarium:
• 25 ml SafeStart

7. ADDING THE PLANTS

Plants are an important part of every ecosystem.

They:

🌿 Produce oxygen
🌿 Provide shelter
🌿 Absorb nutrients
🌿 Help keep the aquarium healthy

How to Plant

1. Remove the plant from its pot.
2. Carefully remove the rock wool.
3. Make a small hole in the sand.
4. Place the roots into the substrate.
5. Cover the roots gently with sand.

Only the roots should be buried.

Do not cover the leaves.

Try to create:

🌿 A planted area
🌳 A root area
🐟 An open swimming area

8. STARTING THE AQUARIUM

Switch on:

✅ Filter
✅ Heater
✅ Light

Check the temperature.

The ideal temperature is:

🐟 25–27°C

The ideal pH is:

💧 6–7

Allow the aquarium to run and stabilise before adding fish.

9. ADDING THE FISH

Fish need time to adapt to their new home.

Acclimation

1. Float the closed bag in the aquarium for 15 minutes.
2. Add a small cup of aquarium water to the bag.
3. Wait 10 minutes.
4. Repeat once more.
5. Wait another 10 minutes.
6. Gently release the fish.

Never pour the shop water into the aquarium.

10. WHO LIVES IN OUR BIOTOPE?

Cardinal Tetras

Cardinal Tetras (Paracherodon axelrodi) are colourful schooling fish.

They should always live in a group.

For a 30-litre aquarium:

• Maximum 10 Cardinal Tetras

Snails

• Snails help consume organic leftovers

Optional

• One Ancistrus sp. may be added if suitable for the aquarium size and setup

11. FEEDING THE FISH

Feed the fish once each day.

Daily Food

• TetraMin Flakes
• Give only a small amount.
• The fish should finish all food within 2–3 minutes.

Twice Per Week

• Tetra Wafer Mix
• Feed one wafer tablet.
• Too much food can pollute the water.

12. FEEDING THE PLANTS

• Plants also need nutrients.
• Use Tetra PlantaMin.

Dosage

• 5 ml for every 20 litres.
• Use once every 30 days.

13. TESTING THE WATER

Healthy water helps fish and plants stay healthy.

Use Tetra Test 6in1 every week.

Check the water regularly and keep a record of the results.

Good aquarists observe and learn from nature.

14. WATER CHANGES

In nature, rivers are always renewed.

In an aquarium, we must help nature.

Every Week

• Change 20–25% of the water.

For a 30-litre aquarium:

• Remove about 6–8 litres

Important Rules

❌ Never replace all the water
❌ Never use soap
❌ Never add untreated tap water
❌ Never add very cold water

Always add AquaSafe to new water before it enters the aquarium.

15. DAILY, WEEKLY AND MONTHLY CARE

Every Day

✅ Feed the fish
✅ Check the fish
✅ Check the temperature

Every Week

✅ Test the water
✅ Change 20–25% of the water
✅ Add AquaSafe to new water
✅ Clean the glass

Every Month

✅ Add PlantaMin
✅ Check equipment
✅ Check plant growth

Every 2–3 Months

✅ Add new leaves and botanicals
✅ Remove materials that have fully decomposed

16. SAFETY RULES

Always wash your hands before and after working in the aquarium.

Never use cleaning products inside the aquarium.

Ask an adult for help when working with electrical equipment.

Always unplug electrical equipment before maintenance.

Keep the aquarium lid closed whenever possible.

17. WHAT MAKES A RIO NEGRO BIOTOPE?

A Rio Negro biotope includes:

💧 Water
🌳 Roots
🍂 Leaves and botanicals
🌿 Plants
🐟 Fish
👉 Good bacteria

Every part has an important role.

Together they create a living Rio Negro ecosystem.

Roots provide shelter.
Leaves and botanicals release natural substances into the water.
Plants help support life.
Fish are part of the community.
Good bacteria help keep the aquarium healthy.

This is how a Rio Negro biotope works.

Explore nature. Create a biotope. Discover biodiversity.

18. QUICK CHECKLIST

Every Day

✅ Feed fish
✅ Check fish
✅ Check temperature

Every Week

✅ Test water
✅ Change 20–25% of the water
✅ Add AquaSafe

Every Month

✅ Add PlantaMin
✅ Check equipment

Every 2–3 Months

✅ Add new leaves and botanicals

Keep it simple, observe nature and enjoy your Amazon rainforest at home.

19. GIVE YOUR BIOTOPE A SECOND LIFE

A biotope aquarium can be enjoyed by many young explorers.

If you no longer wish to keep your aquarium, it can be given to another child and continue its educational journey.

This helps to:

♻ Reuse equipment and materials
🌍 Reduce waste
🐟 Give the aquarium a second life
👧 Help another child discover nature

🌿 One Biotope. Many Explorers.

📧 Biotope Reuse Program

info.biotopeaquarium@gmail.com

20. NEED HELP WITH YOUR AQUARIUM?

Do you have questions about:

💧 Water quality
🐟 Fish care
🌿 Plant care
🏡 Aquarium maintenance
📦 Tetra products

Tetra Italia can help.

🌐 tetra.net/it-it

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📷 Instagram: tetra.italia

☎ Freephone Number: 800-257496

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