Rio Atabapo Flooded Forest

_th place in Biotope Aquarium Design Contest 2020

Volume: 1228 l
Dimensions: 270x70x65
List of fishes: Altum sp. Rio Atabapo. Loricaria sp. Rio Atabapo. Mesonauta Egrigius. Apistogramma sp. Dekeyseria Brachyura. Moenkheusia Copei
List of plants: In such acidic and dark water, there is practically no underwater flora.
Description of decorations: Tree trunks roots leaves branches fine quartz sand imitating a flooded rainforest
Description of equipment: Sump 300 l Aqua Medic OR3500 pump. Heating from a central heating furnace controlled by a solenoid valve with a thermostat. 20w led lamp
Water parameters: temperature 29 deg. C, ph 4,5, tds 40 ppm
Additional info: Water change frequency: once a week – 30% clean RO, heating supported by a C.O. furnace controlled by a thermostat with a solenoid valve

INFORMATION ABOUT BIOTOPE:

Description of the area surrounding the biotope: Rio Atabapo is a BW river. Its sources originate in the Guiana Highlands, fed mainly by rainfall. It is one of the main tributaries of the Orinoco. It is largely a border river between Venezuela and Colombia. The river is 131 km long, sometimes up to 1 km wide and 15 m deep. The average flow is about 700 m3 / s. Rio Atabapo flows through igneous areas, so you can see clusters of rocks and boulders on the shores. On both sides of the river there is a dense rainforest periodically flooded during the rainy season. This area is inhabited by tribes, i.e. Curripaco. Puinave and Guanano.
Description of the underwater landscape of the biotope: Rio Atabapo is a river of contrasts. On one side, rocky banks and the bottom transforming into sandy white beaches. on the other hand, it is a flooded rainforest with a thick layer of wood leaves, roots and branches. The large amount of tannins released from decomposing organic matter gives the water a characteristic brown color.
Description of the parameters of the habitat: Black water. Color caused by a large amount of tannins tem.27-31 degrees Very soft 10-30ppm Extremely acidic pH 3.5-5.5.
List of fishes and invertebrates occurring in the nature biotope: Pterophyllum altum, – Uaru fernandezyepezi, – Heros sp., – Loricaria sp. Rio atabapo, – Crenichicla sp. Rio atabapo, – Biotodoma wavrini, – Crenicichla af. wallacii, – Geophagus gottwaldi, – Hoplarchus psittacus, – Satanoperca daemon, – Farlowella vittata, – Crenuchus spilurus, – Iguanodectes cf geisleri, – Copella meinkeni cf, – Metynnis hypsauchen, and many others.
List of plants found in the nature biotope: Lack of aquatic plants. Bulbostylis cf can be found along the banks. Cypreus
Threats to the ecology: Excessive use of natural resources, gold mining forest cutter.
Sources of information:

1. http://cefishessentials.com/blog/rio-atabapo-chris-englezou/
2. https://ecoreportcard.org/report-cards/orinoco-river/regions/atabapo-river/
3. https://www.mikolji.com/books/revision-del-genero-apistogramma-en-la-cuenca-del-rio-orinoco/
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQPN3VbO0LE&list=PLTC0Cc9P5Y2HEOjq4VjrAYva3H-hZKxaj&index=1