S.american Biotope

[ghent_3rd]

Starting new South American Biotope this week!!!
Below is the tank that I am getting, the juwel Rio 180 in all it's splendour!!!

That is quite a big jump from the tank that I currently have but no photos at the minute.

Anyway, I have been out today buying all the bits I need ready for the tank and I got some great decor for the Biotope that I am setting up.

Large piece of bogwood

2 other pieces of bogwood

The large bit of bogwood is going to be used to create a terrace for my gravel and then at the front of the tank I am going to put sand, especially for the little cories. Also going to shove some PVC pipe back under the terrace so just the entrance is showing for the plecs to hide!! Would it be possible to create a labyrinth under the terrace using PVC pipe? As long as I drilled the pipe so I didn't get stagnant water. I could then get some pipe to run past the side of the tank and maybe see the plecs inside. Just an idea, don't know if it's feasible???

And a large amount of slate to make some great caves for the plecs!!

I am pretty set with what I am stocking in the tank but need advice with plants to go in to it?

The fish will consist of several varieties of cory, 2 or 3 4" plecs (not sure which ones yet) some tetras, possibly Glowlights, Dwarf Hoplo if I can get hold of them and some Hatchet fish. (I know they are jumpers but I love them ) I would like some form of Synos but can't find any to suit my tank, any suggestions? That's if there are any good ones form S.America.

The biotope will not be of any specific part of the Amazon or it's tributaries but will represent fish from Brazil, Columbia and Peru.

 

[ghent_3rd]

I am loving that tank!!! Don't think mine will look quite like that but I am trying to make it look as natural as possible. Mine definately won't have the height that that tank has. I will get pics up as soon as I am making a start.

The slate caves are going to just be bits of slate thrown (not literally) on top of each other as if they have been smashed in the bottom of river bed.

the largest bit of driftwood, which is the top 2 photos, cost me £16.00. there was another awesome bit in LFS that was £40.00!!! It would have fitted into my tank, it was 80cm long, but was just a bit too big and the amount of water I would have lost to it would have been horrendous!!!

 

[Alps]

can't see driftwood pics, something wrong on my end?

 

[ghent_3rd]

can't see driftwood pics, something wrong on my end?

I didn't even know there was a difference between driftwood and bogwood!

I am considering starting a journal on this tank if there is enough interest? I have all my equipment sorted out, just waiting for 2 x CO2 units, I am going to get some tabs and I need the Tetra-Flora I think it is called to add to the tank each week as nutrients for the plants. Oh yeah...................need to pick the tank up as well!! )

The Rio 180 only comes with 2 standard 30 watt lights, what would be the best upgrade for them? I will definately be getting reflectors but just need advice on the actual lamps.

Reckon I am going to sell the other lamps on Ebay or maybe put them on here free to a good local home!

 

[ghent_3rd]

Which forum would be the one in which I should post a tank journal? The tank will be as stated above, South American Biotope, fairly heavily planted with bogwood, slate and boulders?

 

[Dorkhedeos]

i cant see the pictures. did you take them off photobucket?

 

[ghent_3rd]

i cant see the pictures. did you take them off photobucket?

yes they are off of photo bucket

I'd say post it in the planted tank forum.

I think that is probably the best place for it aswell.