Amazon Biotope

[djbrandon123]

i am getting a new 55 gallon tank and it is going to be a blackwater root biotope from the amazon

i need to know if 2 and a half inches of sand and a peat filter, im only using 1 fluoresent tube for lighting the temp will stay at 82 degrees f

i was wondering what amzonian plants i could plant in these conditions my tank will be lightly planted

 

[fishguy2727]

Most plants won't do well with that light. I have had many plants do much better than what guides would have suggested. I would say to get a glass canopy so you cna upgrade lighting as you and the tank are ready for it, and try a lot of different plants. Worst case you find out that plant didn't work for you.

What fish are you planning on?

 

[djbrandon123]

thanks my stock is going to be 6 hatchetfish 1 angel 2 bolivian rams and 4 groups of 6 tetras

would plastic plants be good i might get some that look like the real thing and would 2 and a halph cm of of sand be a good amount

 

[djbrandon123]

and if i get a brighter light could scattering plants on the surface also work for both cases to provide enough light for the plants and keep it dim enough for the fish to make them feel more at home

 

[fishguy2727]

The fish won't mind the light.

I will tell you now the yellow/brown water may bother you pretty quickly. Most people keep Amazonian fish thriving in bright tanks with clear water.

I would have at least an inch of sand, 1.5-2" being better.

What tetras were you thinking of? If you don't have four different species in mind then you may want to do one or two larger schools instead of four small ones.

 

[djbrandon123]

i was thinking of rumynose glolight lemon and another tetra i need to know if i can keep 2 female rams because i dont want a male and female to breed and i dont want the 2 males to kill eachother which is what i heard

 

[fishguy2727]

The tank is big enough for a pair of rams to pair off and not cause any major problems in the tank. But yes, two females will be fine together.

My favorite tetra is the cardinal. They are a good size, amazing colors, and do well once settled in.

Are you set on the angel? If so make sure it goes in last and is small so it grows up with the smaller tetras, it will be much less likely to eat them.

 

[djbrandon123]

i know its big enough i just dont know if my lfs will except the babies cuz thats the last thing ill need i also forgot to mention i have a common pleco which im weary about because they grow to be above foot on average
i already have my angel in my ten gallon my lfs said i can keep the angel in my ten gallon until i realized they get larger than i expected

 

[StandbySetting]

You should be fine to grow most Echinodorus species, I'm not familiar with any others as most of the plants I use are either from Africa or Asia, but from experience most South American plants are quite demanding on lighting, CO[sub]2[/sub] and nutrients.

 

[djbrandon123]

k thanks does that apply for amazon swords cause those were the first on my list

 

[StandbySetting]

Yes Amazon Swords are Echinodorus amazonicus so will be fine.

 

[djbrandon123]

so as long as the plants are similar in shape to the ones the fish should prefer there a good choice

im also looking for plants that grow in water temp around 82f

 

[jacko32]

hi theres really loads of plants to choose from take a look at the tropica plant guide you can get some ideas on temp and lighting requirments

http/www.tropica.com/plants.aspx

 

[fishguy2727]

Ditch the common pleco. It will get way too big, eat plants, and be a pooping machine.

Almost any shop should be happy to have locally bred rams.

 

[djbrandon123]

thanks for the info ill see if my lfs will take the pleco back they dont have refunds i was considering a group of corys iv read they do good in groups of 5 or more and they dont grow very large are there any specific plats that are easy to take care of because ive kept aquariums before but iv never gone planted