I was just wondering if anyone on here has tried to setup a tank that closely mimics the natural habitats of your cichlids. I am interested in trying to do this with my centrals but i could use some info or pics if you have any. Thank you in advance...HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!
Biotope aquaria
- Thread starter cichniss
- Start date
The amazon is SOOOO tannin stained it is not funny. Drift wood, current, tannins (tannic acid that leaches on it's own from the drift wood) heavy filtration, lots and lots of stuff go into a biotope but I gave you a good start/bump for the rest of the guys to chime in....Good luck.....
bigspizz;1240170; said:
he is right, but after a while there will be less tannins because of the water changes so you can use BLACKWATER EXTRACT
i just found this
http://joshday.com/blackwatertank.htm
Watch the documentary "Amazon Abyss". The water is so tannin stained, you can barely see three feet in front of you. I think a 'biotope'ish type setup is a great idea though, minus the ultra stained water. I think nice sand, native plants, and driftwood and rocks that look like they belong makes for a beautiful tank.
For me, a natural look (no fake stuff, no colored gravel), is way better than a painstaking recreation of Lake Managua or something like that. It's not that I don't appreciate and admire the work of those who go to such lengths, I do.
In fact, for cichniss's inspiration, how about some pictures of some CA/SA biotope setups? I love seeing them too.
For me, a natural look (no fake stuff, no colored gravel), is way better than a painstaking recreation of Lake Managua or something like that. It's not that I don't appreciate and admire the work of those who go to such lengths, I do.
In fact, for cichniss's inspiration, how about some pictures of some CA/SA biotope setups? I love seeing them too.
sure it would be great except the tannin but the main proublem is with big sa/ca cichlids 40% of them will rip up and destroy plants for fun 40% will rip them up and eat them and around 20% will lurk in them or use them as hideing spot these arn't real figures just as an idea that most big cichlid will destroy plants or dig them up and eat its hard to find ones that leave them alone other then small cichlids and discus
Tell me about it. My jag hates it when i rearange his tank. By the next morning it is back to his preferences(huge dug out pits, shredded plants, floating heaters, etc.) But i am upgrading him out of his 120 and into a 135-150 shortly and thought that if the aquascaping was done before introducing him then he may be a little bit more tolerant of plants and such. And my convicts should be fine with some hardy plants.