Amazon Tanks

xoticfishguy

xoticfishguy

AC Members
Mar 16, 2005
10
0
0
S.W.
I am thinking of turning my 125 gallon into an Amazonian tank with lots of branches, algae, blackwater and floating plants. I know algae is not good but I want that real murky look going. I was hoping that maybe those of you out there with these styles of tanks would post pics to give me a better idea. Any advise or suggestions would be appreciated. I have posted a few pics of my tank to show what I have to work with.

009.JPG 010.JPG 011.JPG
 
Do you plan on keeping the fish you have there??
The Amazon is a big place and have different waters (black water, white water, ect). Do you want just black-water-fish?? I would use "Black-water-tonic" to tint water and soften and lower PH for the black water species. If "white water---well that is another story. I had a black-water style tank MANY YEARS ago.
 
Lots of driftwood with java fern attached would work great on the bottom. a shoal of Rams and/or dwarf Apistos and two or three large schools of tetras.
All sorts of possibilities!
 
instead of buying black water extract, you could put some dried oak leaves (like last year's fallen leaves) into a mesh bag and stick it in your filter. oak contains the same tannic acids as driftwood, which will give you the nice dark water you are looking for. use the mesh bag so that if they fall apart they won't make a huge mess. make sure you collect them from an area free of chemicals.
 
Well actually I would probably go with some other type of S. or C. American type fish, perhaps a Peru Black Rhom or maybe a Dovii. I like large growing predatorial type fish. Yes I know this thread is probably better suited for Monsterfishkeepers but I just thought I would get some ideas from Aquariacentral also. Anyone have murky tank photos to share?????
 
you should also get a dark substrate, maybe some ecocomplete
 
Here's my blackwater tank. I was thinking black substrate as well, but in retrospect, I am happy I went in the opposite direction and got the white sugar sand. The color in the water is from indian almond leaves and the driftwood.

It's only a 20 long.
DSC01618.jpg
 
Last edited:
At the moment, a clip on lamp with a 3000K spiral cf bulb in it. I'll be upgrading to a coralife fixture with 6400 and 12000K bulbs for the plants after I get back from spring break. Will be adding more anubias and clearing out some of the floaters that have really come in.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom