Amazon Biotope

Paddling up the Amazon.

 

        Click here for Amazon facts!
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Amazon River Video!         

Video Excerpt: The Amazon River is enormous. The river discharges one-sixth of the world's flowing fresh water. One day's release is enough to satisfy New York City's needs for 12 years, but something is wrong with the world's largest river system.
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Thank you to PBS for allowing us to use this video!

Aquarium

4ftL x 24 in.W x 22in.H

Light

2, 6700K, 96WATT compact flourescent bulbs on for 12 hrs.

Filter

Eheim Pro 2

CO2-Diffusor

Dupla

CO2- Regulator

pH-Controller and CO2 Regulator, Needle Valve, and Magnetic valve.

Substrate

EcoComplete below, fine gravel on top.

Undergravel Heater

20 Watt

Heating

150 Watt (Eheim integrated)

Temperature

77 degrees F. Regulated with both undergravel heater and regular heater.

Water Requirements

3 degrees dGH; 3 degrees dKH;  pH: 6.6

 

Tropical Fish From the Amazon Regions:  Greenfire Tetra's 9-12; Marbled Hatchet Fish 7-9; Pencil Fish 9-12; or Cardinal Tetras 9-12; Ancistrus Teminiki 5-7; Otocinclus 5-7, Apistogramma cacatuoides, (Double Reds) 3.

 

 

South American Amazon Biotope Layout

 

 

A

04

Alternanthera reinecki "Red"

6

L

17

Lilaeopsis Brazil

2

L

17

Lilaeopsis Brazil

3

E

130

Echinodorus Osirus

1

E

230

Echinodorus tenellus

15-20

M

20

Mayaca fluviatilis

2

M

60

Myriophyllum elatinoides

1

H

10

Heteranthera zosteraefolia

2

H

20

Hydrocotyle leucocephala

4

E

198

Quadricostatus

2

Click here for plant descriptions. Database will open in a new window. Simply enter the number next to the plant name on this web page to view it's description in the Dennerle aquatic plant database. Or view the aquarium plants below!

Decoration: Driftwood and Rocks.

 

 

Quadricostatus E 198 Echinodorus Quadricostatus

Broad-leaved Dwarf Amazon Sword
South America
Characteristics:Rosette plant with lanceolate leaves on petioles. This plant has characteristic light-green leaves which form a good contrast to the darker aquarium plants. It is most beautiful when planted in groups. In good conditions it produces runners which spread over the bottom. Growth is more compact when planted in a pot or between stones or other objects. Very light leaves are a sign of a shortage of micro-nutrients.
Hydrocotyle leucocephala H 20 Hydrocotyle leucocephala

Brasilian Water Ivy
Brasil
Characteristics: Long tendrils with light green, circular leaves with crenate margins.

Sprout length: 60 cm. Growth rate: 10 cm per week.
Propagation: Side sprouts.
Requirements: Undemanding.
Special note: Grows very well as a floating plant too.
Heteranthera zosteraefolia H 10 Heteranthera zosteraefolia

Water Stargrass
South America
Characteristics: Stem plant with bright green, lanceolate leaves.
Sprout length: 50 cm. Growth rate: Weekly approx. 5 cm.
Propagation: Top cuttings at least 10 cm long.
Requirements: Frequent fertilization with E15 and V30. Otherwise undemanding.
Myriophyllum aquaticum M 60 Myriophyllum elatinoides

Water milfoil, Christmas Tree Plant
Assumed South America.
Characteristics: Delicate whorls of rich, green colour. Sprout length: 50 cm and more.
Growth rate: Weekly 10 cm.
Propagation: Top cuttings at least 20 cm long. The old stem will then grow side shoots.
Requirements: Plenty of nourishment.

Mayaca fluviatilis M 20 Mayaca fluviatilis

Former: Mayaca vandelli
South America
Characteristics: Hair-like, tiny leaves, only 5 mm long. Sprout length: 40 cm.
Growth rate: Monthly 5 cm.
Propagation: Top cuttings; branches readily.
Requirements: Regular fertilization with E 15.
Echinodorus tenellus E 230 Echinodorus tenellus

Pygmy Chain Swordplant
Characteristics: Rosette plant with 1-2 mm wide, grasslike leaves.
Height: 5-8 cm.
Growth rate: Weekly 2 runners. Very prolific.
Special note: Ideal groundcover plant. Colour in shaded areas green, in bright light reddish.
Echinodorus osiris E 130 Echinodorus osiris

Red Amazon
Southern part of South America
Characteristics: Loosely growing plant with stemmed lanceolate leaves. Young leaves are red to bronze-red.
Height: Up to 5o cm.
Growth rate: 2 - 3 leaves per month.
Propagation: Adventitious plants on flower stem.
Requirements: Undemanding. Will grow in almost any aquarium. Special note: Can be planted in groups in larger aquaria.
Lilaeopsis novae zelandiae L 17 Lilaeopsis Brazil

Amazon Grass Plant
Characteristics: Short stemmed, ribbon-like leaves.
Height: 5-8 cm. Growth rate: Weekly 1 - 2 leaves per sprout.
Propagation: Runners.
Requirements: Very bright light, not to be shaded by other plants.
Alternanthera reineckii A 04 Alternanthera reineckii

Red copper leafed Alternanthera
South-America
Characteristics: Extremely attractive stem plant with paired, lanceolate leaves of strikingly red colouration.
Sprout length: 25 - 50 cm. Growth rate: 10 - 15 cm per month.
Propagation: Cuttings of approx. 25 cm.
Requirements: The more light the more intensive the colours.
Special note: Plant in groups ascending towards the back of the aquarium.