Stream which flows into Lake Sentani

The 28th place in the qualifying stage of the Biotope Aquarium Design Contest 2015

russian_federation Russia. Aleksandr Polimonov

Volume: 350 L
List of fishes: Chlamydogobius eremius, Marosatherina ladigesi, Glossolepis incisus, Melanotaenia boesemani, Melanotaenia praecox
Biotope description: It was an attempt to show a stream, to show fast flow using various factions of stones and sand. The bed of the stream is located at an angle 45 degrees to the aquarium. Large boulders in the foreground show the border of the stream and the beginning of the bank. We see a cross section of a stream at an angle of 45 degrees. Big driftwood and pebbles under it should just improve the sense of presence, because the driftwood does not let the fast flow turn big stones into small pebbles.

In my opinion, the bottom of the tank is much too flat for a stream. It is clearly visible that the stones were put ON the bottom – whereas they should be composed INTO the bottom, like in Rio San Lucas, sub-basin of the Atoyac River in San Lorenzo Cacaotepec, Oaxaca, México in North America category. Besides, the driftwood on the left side, in the foreground, has a flat end, probably a sign of being cut with the saw. I know such fragments can also be found in the wild, but in my opinion it doesn’t look good. And a tip for the photographer – for the photo, try to illuminate only the foreground part of the tank, so the back wall would not be visible so much.

Piotr Kierzkowski (Poland)

Great harmony and balance. I liked the driftwood and the fishes, but in my opinion, the woods are too much arranged. A little mess would be welcome.

André Longarço (Brazil)