Crystal spring pool in distant Amazon tributary, Brazil

107th place in Biotope Aquarium Design Contest 2019

China. Han-Jun Cai

Volume: 1200 L
Dimensions: 200x100x60 cm
List of fishes: Potamotrygon motoro, Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi, Moenkhausia costae, Hemigrammus sp., Geophagus sp.
List of plants: Ficus microcarpa, Schefflera octophylla
Description of decorations: Deadwood trunk and branches with skin are used to simulate the plant framework. Biotope U white sand in shape and color is very similar to those substrate in the selected biotope, under the substrate there are a large number of lava rocks to lift the background gradient. There are also some dead twigs and many dry leaves added to enrich the detail ,just like in the natural biotope.
Description of equipment: A 3000L/h Eheim Pump, 4*35W LED spotlight, a 300W Eheim heater.
Water parameters: Temperature is 27-30℃，PH=7.8-8.0，GH=7°d
Additional info: Automatic water change at any time with the water level controller

INFORMATION ABOUT BIOTOPE

Description of the area surrounding the biotope: The spring pool is hiding deep into the Amazon forest ,lying at the distant tributary far away from human being, and it is next to the murky main river channel .Besides , with the crystal clear water it has become a perfect shelter for many small fish species from the predator.

Description of the underwater landscape of the biotope: The spring water comes out of the white sand substrate , that it is filtered, forming bubbles. Covered by some fallen branches and leaves, most of the substrate is white sand and it is free of sediment. Scattered lava rocks are covered with algae.

Description of the parameters of the habitat: unknown

List of fishes and invertebrates occurring in the nature biotope: There are mainly small Characin, such as Hemigrammus, Moenkhausia, Hyphessobrycon , Astyanax genus species, and some new cichlids such as Geophagus sp. Pantarhei waiting for discovering, also the stingray will haunt around.

List of plants found in the nature biotope: unknown

Threats to the ecology: –

Sources of information: BBC documentary Earth’s Great Rivers episode 1 – Amazon