Planted Amazon Biotope

[Itsadeepbluesea]

I'm starting at 36 gallon amazon tank soon and was just looking for suggestions, really of any kind just to get some ideas of what to do. I have a general idea of what I want to do but really like to hear other peoples opinions. In particular at the moment i'm trying to decide on my substrate (i'm thinking of a using a combination of substrates)....but suggestions of any kind are welcome.

 

[Itsadeepbluesea]

oh also if anyone knows any online resources please let me know as I'm having trouble finding information. I can find sites that give vague information but nothing that's really in depth.

 

[t0p_sh0tta]

http://plantgeek.net/plantguide.php

http://cichlid-forum.com/tanks/ Search for "Amazon."

 

[Itsadeepbluesea]

any suggestions? I'm really just fishing for ideas that I may not have thought of

 

[t0p_sh0tta]

Suggestions on what? Substrate? If you're going with an Amazonian biotope, use an appropriate sand.

 

[Itsadeepbluesea]

I'm just looking for suggestions of any kind, substrate, fish, plants anything really. I know what I want to do, but its always nice to have suggestions as you never know what you may have forgotten or not considered

 

[t0p_sh0tta]

You're asking for suggestions, but you haven't posed a question, or given us any info to work with. If you know what you want to do, do it.

 

[birmansandbettas]

This is the guide I use for plants: http://fish.mongabay.com/biotope_amazon_blackwater.htm

I've used ADA Amazonian and black sand Flourite for substrate, and prefer the latter. I could never get the ADA stuff to quit floating around.

 

[Itsadeepbluesea]

I was considering the Black sand flourite. How big are the grains? are they fine, medium or large?

 

[birmansandbettas]

The Flourite is a bit irregular, I'd say fine to medium. It also claims to be pre-washed, but I'd never add it without rinsing. It also has some not-black grains mixed in, probably less than 1% total but they are noticable.

I'm considering Tahitian moon sand for my next tank, perhaps combined with the Flourite. I'd like to see them side by side to compare colors.