Orinoco Basin Biotope

[james_fish]

I want to go planted Stu, I don't think I could get away with having a nice looking tank just because of the hard scape.

Plus I am a big fan of planted aquariums

James.

 

[minnnt]

Why don't you go for a "shove all your plants in and let it grow and then Minnnt comments on the gravel" biotape like Stu?

 

[james_fish]

I think it will have to be a but messy looking to be natural, just wonder what substrate to use?

James.

 

[minnnt]

I like limpopo by unipac for planted tanks, looks great, but it depends what your thing is.

 

[james_fish]

Thats exactly what my thing is! I really like dark sands, makes everything else stand out.

James.

 

[Wills]

These should help

http/www.seriouslyfish.com/kb.php?t=ps&s=orinoco&p=1
http/www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/search_result.php?family_id=0&genus_id=0&distr_id=6

Two great sites that have search by area filters I reckon your pretty spoilt for choice the ones that stand out for me on those lists are the Mouse Catfish (various types), Marbled Headstanders, One Line Pencil Fish, Checkerboard Cichlids, Black Darter Tetras, centromochlus heckelii look cool if you can find them, Brachyrhamida imitator are nice as well if you can find them and there are a few nice Cories in there as well. Few nice Apistos in the list as well Interesting that Blue Rams are in there which kind of shows that part of the Orinoco must have quite high temperatures at some points.

Wills

 

[james_fish]

Thanks wills, just what I needed! Some nice species listed, I have a lot to think about! I like those pencil fish, they will make a good dither for the tank. Thanks!

Bump

James.

 

[ian]

i have just bought some Pencils, James. They are ace, they really exibit different behaviours than the 'normal' tetras. These are goldenpencils

these are mine

good luck with the project James, i'll have a dig around with a plant list...but, it might be good to do a Tannin stained twig and bogwood set-up.

This is Smithrc's tank from TOTM, this is the kind of style you could go with

theres always something like this, coutesy of George Farmer...this is Sumatran, but you could work it to the Basin.

 

[coldcazzie]

in terms of substrate, I think the best, and most natural, setups are done with a mixture of rock, gravel and sand. What kinds are obviously up to you, but I could just see some jaggedy pieces of rock in varying sizes with sand/gravel mixed built up in parts, just sand in others...

Also, there was a thread in the planted journals section on an amazon biotope, I know it's not the same but the plant list might give you some ideas?

 

[stu40]

I want to go planted Stu, I don't think I could get away with having a nice looking tank just because of the hard scape.

Plus I am a big fan of planted aquariums

James.

good point, was thinking of setting up small tank with beech wood & leaves, but the messy look is putting me off.

Why don't you go for a "shove all your plants in and let it grow and then Minnnt comments on the gravel" biotape like Stu?

Yes, mine is the first Biotape on here.Gives you something to aim for, how many unknown plants did buy again?

theres always something like this, coutesy of George Farmer...this is Sumatran, but you could work it to the Basin.

That is exactly what i was thinking of in my first post.
Good find Ian

 

[james_fish]

Nice pencils Ian! I'll have to have a drive around one time and find some shops that stock them and see them in the flesh. & thanks for the pictures, I think the smithrc's is something more towards what I'm aiming for. I've always been interested in set-ups with leaves in it, is it just a case of replacing the leaves before they rot and replace with new?

Substrate I'm going to go for a black sand, possibly a specific planting one. I imagine it will bring out the best colours in the fish along with a black background. Hopefully I can find some nice root wood, that's definitely the look I want.

Thanks Ian for looking into the plants for me. I'll have floating plants in this setup hopefully too, which will be a first for me.

Cheers Cazzie

James

 

[minnnt]

40... But i don't have a biotape, i have a well stocked planted tank.

 

[james_fish]

Unipac Limpopo could be a winner for substrate, any other ideas?

James.

 

[minnnt]

The gold coloured one that they do in the same range is very nice too.

 

[james_fish]

Is that the Congo sand minnnt?

James.