Opinions Plz: Amazon River-ish setup

Timmain42

Timmain42

Disturbed Quasi-Genius
Jan 4, 2002
662
1
0
D/FW, TEXAS
www.xmenclan.org
I would like your opinions of what type of plants would make for a realistic Amazonian River tank. The tank will receive about 1.8 watts per gallon, peaking at 3.6 WPG for a couple of hours each day around noon. The tank is large (8'x2'x2'), enough to support different areas and types of plants. There will be some minimal landscaping, but the biggest problem is that there will be significant current, on the order of 6-9 MPH (this kinda kills it for CO2 injection, but I'm hoping that the magnitude of lights will help make up for this...).

Your thoughts?
 
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I have a book called "The Complete Aquarium" in which they give examples and ideas for different geographies of tank setups. One of them is called the "Amazon Rain Forest Stream". This one doesn't seem to have as much current as another called "Zaire River Rapids". By comparing the two you can come up with some wonderful ideas and add other research to it.

Between the two they both have some type of long-stemmed, broad leafed plant like Anubias and Amazon Swordplants. I also see Water Milfoil and Fanwort being used alot in these tanks. They look great as they have long stems and sway in the current, really adding to the high current effect. Experienced planters with backgrounds with these species could tell you better how to deal with them, but I think they would all benefit from high lighting, especially with an agitated surface area dispursing the light some. Also I'd get some decent all around fertilizers to add in the absence of heavy CO2. I'm sure there is a way to lower your water outlet to below the waterline and get less surface agitation which should cut down CO2 loss. I'm sure you would benefit from it as well. Add plenty of bogwood and sandy substrate with the occasional River Rock and you should be strait!

I would add some interesting fish that love high current. The Blockhead Cichlid (Steatocranus Casuarius) comes to mind along with several tetra species.
 
That is an Awesome Book

One of the best I've read and the first I got when I got in the hobby. The biotopes are lovely, and just much more attainable than the Shimano books. A definite good read...

Val
 
Seen the Brasil Expedition 2002 slide show on Tropica's website?

One thing I noticed was how dense the plants were in some scenes!

Gumby7
 
I also really liked that book and used it when researching my tank. Not that expensive or hard to find.

One thing I've noticed (and it may not be all that accurate, its a "seems to me"): longer more flowing plants come from faster moving water -- its what they're built for. Bushier plants with smaller and finer leaves are from slower water. I don't know how accurate that speed is for an amazon tank, but it may help with your selection.

Tropica is a great website for plant profiles and usually includes info on where the plant is from. I went through the whole catalog and made a list of plants from my area of interest.

Everything I've read says that lights, ferts, and CO2 limit each other. You cannot make up for deficiencies of one by boosting the other two. Trying to do this leads to an imbalanced tank and that leads to algae. The plants can only grow to the degree that they can assimilate each component. The plants can have level 2 growth with 2 lights, 2 ferts, and 2 CO2. With 2 lights, 2 ferts and 1 CO2 the plants run out of CO2 and stop growing. This leaves 1 light and 1 fert still in the water for the algae to feed on.
 
I'd be careful. Not c02 injecting won't be compensated for by higher light levels, if anything the higher light levels will necessitate the c02 injection. Or was I reading that wrong?

I have also been toying with the idea of a river steup with a strong cross current. But i'm too tied up with all my other projects.
 
Carpguy is right in his correction of my poor wording. I would do as he is saying. I definately promote going CO2 injected and going balanced with all aspects of planting. I simply meant to get a good fertilizer for the roots and water with a good substrate also....I didn't mean to add fertilizer more often to compensate. I did word this poorly though:o

My suggestion would be to put a very strong (current) filter outlet on one side of the tank or put two or more outlets of lesser current on the same side of the tank. This will keep the flow of water really moving around in the same direction, not churning against each other and slowing current. It will look more like a river stream if you can see all the plants waiving in one direction, too!

I don't know how "true" you are trying to be about keeping an "amazon river" tank, but if you are just trying to get the look of a tropical river with a mixture of fish from any biotope, you should have little problems finding candidates. There are several fish compatible in both South American and African environments. Even Asia has a few to add to this style of tank. Just get the water chemistry right for the fish. Either way, the more research you do into getting things right the first time will benefit you and probably make you more proud of your setup. Post pics when you get it done, 'cause I'd love to see it.
 
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