#93: 1081L Biotope/Natural Aquaria

Lori Shimoda Honolulu, United States

Awards and Comments

First Place
This tank to me is the epitome of what a biotope tank should be. There is no need to ask for an explanation... it is clearly a mangrove swamp with appropriate residents namely a beautiful group of archer fish. It is unfortunate that the tank looks to be very recently set up. The Mangroves are quite young and the water is quite murky. It seems that one photo was taken before the tank was completely filled as in one photo one sand bank extends out of the water where the other photos show both sand banks completely submerged.

I think with some time to settle down and mature this will be a stunning display.
— Karen Randall
The ground conception was a good idea but in this
performance the plantation is too thin. The view
is therefore not so excellent.
— Kaspar Horst

Aquascape Details

Dimensions 244 × 76 × 64 cm
Volume 1081L
Background painted black back
Lighting 2 x 150W metal halide, approx. 5000K, and indirect sunlight
Filtration Fluval 4 internal
Plants Rhizophora mangle (red mangrove)
Animals Toxotes jaculator, T. chatareus, Monodactylus sebae
Materials 550 lbs. #3 Monterey sand
Additional Information The aquascape is modeled after an estuary where mangroves sprout and grow along the shoreline. Brackish water fish like the Archer fish and Monodactylus may be found in these areas.

The tank and lighting were designed to encourage flying insects to enter the tank, since the Archer fish enjoy hunting them. The tank is located in our patio and attracts many bugs, esp. during the summer when the termites swarm.

The mangroves were collected as seedlings along the shore of Kaneohe Bay on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, and were grown out under various conditions at our home.

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