Modified Amazonian Riverbed setup

[Lam_wn]

Hi,

I was thinking of a set up like this, but have several questions:

If I want to have more plants (ie abit more unnatural but for aesthetic) how can it be modified?

What echinodorous would you recommend for such a setup? bleheri? osiris? I guess these are easier but howabout hormanii, rubin, etc.?
Echinodorous are very nice and sound great, but can they grow long term without creating any problems? I have some about 2-3years old and they are starting to deteriorate now - some other hobbyists said my base fertillizers arent sufficient because I am using lapis and very small proportion of JBL base fert, no CO2. And I think their root systems are too big for the relatively thin layer of gravel I have.

Will the echinodorous deteriorate over time in such a setup too?

What are your views?

Thanks

[michael lai]

Hi Lam,
It is a pleco setup, which means very highly aerated waters. If you want plants, be prepared to change them often. In some due to the parameters and to the plecos. Thick substrate beds are not the norm for pleco setup. In short, the biotope is tuned for the fish and not for anything else. I hope the information helps.

[valice]

If you keep plecos, plants are really like FOOD! They will still make holes even the more meat eating omnivores.

If plecos are not in the consideration, then you can still keep Echinodorus by segregating the tank in fertilised portion and sand portion. Like the usual Amano tanks you see. To prevent the root system of Echinodorus from going astray, you can attempt to put some partition in the substrate.

Then to make it more natural, cover the "soil" portion with the sand. so it gives the illusion that the plants are growing from the sand as well.

Hope you understand what I am trying to say.

[XnSdVd]

I'd suggest using some blackwater extract as well. The Rio Negro isn't called the rio negro because it's crystal clear you know

[RuiEstrelinha]

Hey guys, wake up!!! Rio Negro, Plants?!? Are you insane?!? Maybe near the water clear areas you can find some plants, but in Rio Negro I really don't think so...

Like XnSdVd said "The Rio Negro isn't called the rio negro because it's crystal clear"

The Rio Negro system seems more like this:



And this is my aquarium, at start level!



Best regards,

[valice]

Thanks for the reminder that Rio Negro has no plants.
It might be better to refer it to clear water sandbed.

Rui, the "maple" leaves seems been out of place.

[RuiEstrelinha]

Yup, really they seems out of place

Like I said this is a photo at start level, I'm waiting that "maple" leaves decompose to bring me that unique natural aspect from the Rio Negro, then I will add a few smaller leaves to the final touch.

Best regards,

[Lam_wn]

Hi again,
first of all thank you benny for helping me separate the thread.
sorry for the confusion caused, I was actually just asking some questions regarding echinodorus care in the situation described.
Didnt mean it in a serious rio negro biotope context
anyway, thanks valice for the suggestion. just wanted to ask a bit more, by 'soil', what would be necessary to sustain echinodorus like oriental and rubin - which are harder IMO and from what I heard, on the long run? They are heavy root feeders right? thus I am guessing ADA soil alone wont be enough?
secondly, for a amazonian theme (not biotope) set up, what good mid ground plants would be advisable besides more echinodorus like quadricostatus and the like?
and BTW, great set ups RuiEstrelinha!
thanks

[XnSdVd]

If it helps i've been quite successful in growing E. tennelus with just lapis and weekly liquid fert doses. I wouldn't consider them very demanding plants and their environment doesn't have very rich substrate. Most of the nutrients are in the water. At least i think they are. Though i fully expect Justikanz to come along and correct me

[ahaetulla]

Echinodorus grows well under good lighting. But it needs an iron source, and while initial growth might be good, you might want to add some fert to sustain long-term growth. It tends to turn yellow when iron-deficient.

[Lam_wn]

Echinodorus grows well under good lighting. But it needs an iron source, and while initial growth might be good, you might want to add some fert to sustain long-term growth. It tends to turn yellow when iron-deficient.

Hi ahaetulla,
thanks for the informative reply. Just want tto double check, when you said fert, did you mean in the soil - as in base fert, or in liquid form - i.e. into the water?
if its the former, what base ferts are reputable/recommended?
thanks, and sorry for the very ignorant questions.

[ahaetulla]

Hi Lam_wn, no problem. You can do both. If you have an established tank, you might want to use liquid fert. Otherwise, you would have to uproot everything, add a layer of base fert, and cover it with gravel. But base ferts tend to last longer, maybe up to a year or more. Liquid ferts are an easier option for established tanks, but are added weekly or once a fortnight. Another option comes in the form of pellets or sticks that can be inserted into the gravel near the plant roots.