So I've seen these CA/SA biotope aquariums, and alot of people use sunken leaves, and I think the effect looks awesome, and the fish seem to love it. It's as close to the real Apistrogramma sp. biotope as I think is possible, and so I may be tending it in a test run on a 20g. It'll be home to two A. Cacatuoides. For the leaves, I'll be using berch and oak, because I've read these are aquarium safe. Should I just boil the leaves for 30 minutes like any other aquarium decor? Since it's spring, and there's none of the brownish leaves I'd like to get, would it be safe to pick some from the bottom of a lake near my house, and then boil them, or is there something wrong with this idea? Unlikely most people, I want the water to actually be tannin stained for a while atleast, to make it as authentic as possible, so would the boiling remove the tannins, and is there a way to get the tannin-stain effect without having tannins in the water (ie, an extract or something?) Thanks.
Apisto Biotope
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I've never used it, but I know that there's a product called Blackwater Extract that claims to replicate the waters from that biotope. I'm not sure if it stains the water or not.
It would be removed during water changes though, so it might be cheaper in the long run to use some kind of driftwood that will continuously leech tannins into the water.
It would be removed during water changes though, so it might be cheaper in the long run to use some kind of driftwood that will continuously leech tannins into the water.
What ever you use watch the pH.
If you want to go a different route, get some artificial plant leaves (silk?) and using the Balck Water additive (I used these for years (black water tonic)).
Otherwise boil the leaves from the lake (don't use fresh leaves) to get rid of any critters. Then use the tonic per it's directions, it will stain the water and anything in the tank too. I had to scrub the glass when I changed tanks.
Keep us posted with pix,
Dr Joe
.
If you want to go a different route, get some artificial plant leaves (silk?) and using the Balck Water additive (I used these for years (black water tonic)).
Otherwise boil the leaves from the lake (don't use fresh leaves) to get rid of any critters. Then use the tonic per it's directions, it will stain the water and anything in the tank too. I had to scrub the glass when I changed tanks.
Keep us posted with pix,
Dr Joe
.