Floodplain of the Rio Negro River in the lower reaches, Igarapé-Açu
109th place in Biotope Aquarium Design Contest 2018
Russia. Arthur Popov
Volume: 1000 L
Dimensions: 200х80х70 cm
List of fishes: Paracheirodon axelrodi, Hemigrammus rhodostomus, Mikrogeophagus ramirezi, Pterophyllum scalare, Ancistrus dolichopterus, Corydoras paleatus
List of plants: Echinodorus grisebachii, Echinodorus grandiflorus, Cabomba aquatica, Nymphaea nouchali
Description of decorations: All driftwood were collected in the Leningrad region. By their form they are similar to those found in the nature biotope of the Rio Negro River. The sand was also collected in the Leningrad region. By its grain size and colour it is similar to the sand fron the Rio Negro River. The landscape of the bottom was formed with the help of expanded clay. Then I laid the ground for plants with a thick layer and then a layer of sand. Also on the bottom there are eucalyptus and magnolias leaves, shaped like the leaves of trees from a real biotope. There is also a background imitating the roots of a flooded tree.
Description of equipment: 2 filters TETRA 1200 (1200 lph), 2 LED spotlights of 30W, TETRA heater 400W.
Water parameters: The temperature is 27°C, hardness is about 1, pH is 5.0-5.5.
INFORMATION ABOUT BIOTOPE
Description of the area surrounding the biotope: The largest left tributary of the Amazon originates in Colombia. The upper basin of the Rio Negro River is formed by the confluence of the Rio Casiquiare in Venezuela (originates from Alto Orinoco) and the Río Guainía in Colombia. The young Rio Negro River runs through Venezuela and Colombia at 50% of its length, and then enters North Brazil. The middle and main part of the Rio Negro River is located in Brazil. It has a slow current and many backwaters. The water in them is clear, but dark due to the presence of organic matter and lush vegetation. The sand here is white and clean, in quiet backwaters there are deposits of dead foliage.
Description of the underwater landscape of the biotope: The water in the black-water rivers, despite its color, is also transparent. The soils and the high content of tannin and humic substances in it give it a dark colour. The river is densely overgrown with rainforest along the banks, this causes the presence of a large number of driftwood, branches and fallen leaves.
Description of the parameters of the habitat: Water is reddish brown to light yellow, average temperature is 25-27°C.
List of fishes and invertebrates occurring in the nature biotope: Astronotus ocellatus, Symphysodon discus, Osteoglossum bicirrhosum, Pygocentrus nattereri, Geophagus altifrons.
List of plants found in the nature biotope: Echinodorus angustifolius, Ludwigia grandiflora, Pistia strratiotes, Bacopa monnieri, Echinodorus bleheri, Vallisneria americana.
Threats to the ecology: The aquarium was created to be watched, because of the interest in this biotope. The species of aquatic organisms represented in the aquarium are not subject to threat of extinction.
Sources of information: