20g South American Blackwater Biotope

I don't think I can collect leaves from outside since a lot of the places with oak trees around me just got sprayed with pesticide. I could go to the forest, but I don't know how safe that is either. What about Indian almond leaves? I was recommended those once and I like the shape better. I know it doesn't fit the biotope, but hey neither does oak.
 
IAL shouldn't be an issue, and is commonly used. The big thing you'll want to avoid is carbon in your filters, as that'll try to filter out the tannins.
 
Then I'll use those. I found a place to order some. Anyone have experience with Bettawan? I also found some nice driftwood on Aquabid. All the pieces are long and thin. I hate clunky driftwood.

I don't have any more questions for now but if I think of anything, I'll ask.

Now I have to focus on getting rid of my current fish, which doesn't sound like fun. I've got places figured out for all of them except my harlequin rasboras. I should try to sell them on the classifieds here.
 
indian almond leaves = catappa leaves

i get them from some of the folks here.
you may check with Rachel aka msjinkzd
 
My mom wanted hatchetfish instead of tetras, so the final stock is 6 panda cories, 6 marble hatchetfish, and 2 bolivian rams. Does that work as well as the other?
 
Awwwwwwwww. Rummies are so much prettier swimming around, and will flash more color in blackwater than the hatchets. Plus, the hatchets have a tendency to jump a lot.
 
I know! I'm still trying to convince my mom to change her mind.
 
CinnamonPearl said:
My mom wanted hatchetfish instead of tetras, so the final stock is 6 panda cories, 6 marble hatchetfish, and 2 bolivian rams. Does that work as well as the other?
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That will be fine.

To the couple here who does not seem to know. There are many black water areas that are full of plants. The areas where discus and angels and loads of other fish live, do not have many, if any plants. There areas where lots of tetra and dwarf cichlids can be found that do in fact have plants. Granted, they are spread out over large areas, and you may find tetras and dwarfs in areas with no plants at all. But, they do come from areas where there are lots of plants. This in no way means you need to have plants in order to have your black water bio type.

In a 20 long, if you got 6 marble hatchets, and 6 to 8 rummynose, 6 panda cory, and a single ram, you should be fine.
 
You guys are driving me mad here with the plants! Gah! I think I'll skip them because I'm replacing my planted tank with this and am ready for a break from them. I'll stick with lots of driftwood, leaf litter, some rocks, and caves, and maybe add some plants later on if I want to change things up. What fits the biotope better? Dark sand or light sand?

I think I'll stick with just two schools. I don't want to push my luck. I've still got to try and convince my mom to change her mind about the tetras, but if she's really set on hatchetfish then what can I do? This tank is for her, after all.
 
Well, if it's for her, I say it's her call.

Personally, I go for what I like in a tank, and worry less about biotopes.
 
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