Suggestions for Amazonian Theme 4ft

[jljx]

Hi Sisters and Brothers of AQ,
I am rescaping my 4ft tank to make it ideal for my 4 Altums. Saw some of the Amano's Pictures of Altums in natural environment... the water is rather dark... brown like tea... so would like to recreate the look.

Thinking of a Black Water Amazonian Themed Thank, heavily loaded with DW.
Lighting available can be anything from Low - High.

So would like to know what would be good Biotopical plants to keep in black water (Most likely Low-Med lights).

All levels form foreground to Background??

Tank Dimensions: 4x2x2
Lights: Up to 6 x 55w PL
CO2: Through diffusor for NA

[valice]

Blackwater biotope's substrate is typically leaf litter over a base of fine clay or sand with lots of decaying wood and plant matter, thus creating that dark coloured water. There are many submerged terrestrial plants, many of which retain most of their leaves. And these plants are commonly found in the biotope:
Vallisneria sp., Echinodurus sp., Ceratophyllum sp., Cabomba sp..

Doubt that any foreground plant is found given that it is usually covered with leave litter... Hence you might want to put ketapang leaves to create that effect...

[budak]

The blackwater habitat is actually very plant deficient, as the water is extremely nutrient poor.

A blackwater 'biotope' would be something like this: http://www.aquadesign.pl/galeria_44SA.htm

But for plants, assuming you have at least medium (say 2WPG or more) lighting, you could probably consider hardy Echinodorus species (bleheri, tenellus, horemanii) and Vallinesrias (let them spread freely a little to get a 'wild' look). I wouldn't use CO2 in such a setup, as this wouldn't be your usual lushly planted tank.

[jljx]

Nice...
I see this person kept Apistos... Double Nice... Used to have a pair...

According to some sources, the PH in such a biotope goes really low right (like 5-6). Prob now would be where can I get huge pieces of DW for my 4ft tank?

Current setup already uses Aquaclay mixed with ADA Amazonia so substarate is no prob. Ketapang leaves no prob too cos my nearby road is planted full of those trees.

No CO2 is a good thing... less trouble.

Lighting: free for me to play with since I have about 300w to use now.

Plants I have in mind would be as you guys mentioned... Thinking of Tenellus and Valls primarily and one or two other nice Echinodorus Species... Will Cabomba really do well under such lighting conditions. Considering the dark water would be killing off some lights.

Last Question, since its a low-current tank, where should my outlet tube be placed?
Top/Med/Low with rain bar on one side of the tank (not the back)?

[valice]

If you don't find the water noisy, maybe above the water level to create the rain effect?

[jljx]

Does that effect help with anything? Other that audio stimulus for my family...?

[valice]

I am not sure, but some people believe that rain effect induces breeding to fishes...

[jljx]

Will Cabomba survive in low light Black Water Biotope?

[doppelbanddwarf]

I would suggest you plant a lot of Vallisneria sp and Echinodurus sp in the background with a lot of dw. Then have a layer of boiled ketapang leaves as the foreground

[jljx]

Thanks for the suggestions guys,
Is there any website where I can find pictures of different Echinodurus so I know what to get when I have the opportunity to go to Teos...??

Regards,
Jason