Overgrown bank Rak river, around Zawiercie, Poland

71st place in Biotope Aquarium Design Contest 2018

russia Poland. Kamil Mikoda

Volume: 14 L
Dimensions: 24,5×24,5×23,5 cm
List of fishes: Chironomidae, Gammarus pulex
List of plants: Fontinalis antipyretica
Description of decorations: All the decorations in the aquarium comes from the river. To create a dump at the back of the tank I used a few larger stones, which I covered with sand. I put together a few larger roots, sticks and branches from the river.
Description of equipment: Tank what I used is tetra silhouette, it has led light 1,5 W and 2,6 W filter.
Water parameters: The temperature in the period when I installed the tank was about 14°C.

INFORMATION ABOUT BIOTOPE

Description of the area surrounding the biotope: The river which I presents has a special meaning for me, I has many nice memories from my childhood. This river flows near my grandmothers’ houses and as a child I often sat on the shore, cooling myself on hot days. Cancer River. is a small river whose name does not even exist on the google map. The river has its source in one of the Zawiercie districts and supplies the Łakota pond lying next to the source. This pond was once a breeding pond now I do not know whether it still has such a function or has already been left wild. The river is not deep, it can reach 1m, its river bed is also not wide, from 1 to 3 meters, unfortunately I did not find any book information about the length of the river and the inhabitants living there, what I say I know only from my observations and guesses. The river was once inhabited by cancer, moreover, hence its name, and a number of small aquatic creatures, unfortunately I do not know what fish live in it, I did not manage to look at it several times only saw a few centimeters shadow flitting across the bottom.

Description of the underwater landscape of the biotope: The river most of the time flows through forests, its substrate consist of yellow sand, there aren too many stones in it, there are many branches and driftwood.

Description of the parameters of the habitat: The river is clear, feeds the pond located next to it, and an open public pool.

List of fishes and invertebrates occurring in the nature biotope: Trichoptera, Chironomidae, Gammarus pulex and other unknown by me.

List of plants found in the nature biotope: Fomtinalis antipyretica, lemna minor, and other unknown by me.

Threats to the ecology: The river I’m showing is small, there is not even a name on the google map. Presenting this tank was to show the beauty of the nature that surrounds us, even in such a tiny stream there is a lot of charm.

Sources of information: N/A

Comments of the members of the jury of Biotope Aquarium Design Contest 2018