#586: 112L Biotope Aquascape New Guinea

Jakub Kijak Zegrze, Poland

Awards and Comments

Top Ten
I like that you have put research and thought into planning your tank. I know you are trying to represent the edge of the stream but these grasses look like they are dying from being planted so deep. Instead try to build up your "river bank" so the grasses can be planted without them being over-watered. Also even though the literature says that only a few Vallisneria can be found there they would not grow individually like this since they reproduce via runners. You might not find a lot of the plants but when you did find them there would be a good sized patch growing in a clump. Finally I would have liked to SEE more actual water flow in this tank. A good growth of Vals with a powerhead to keep them moving could have helped you put this idea across.
— Karen Randall
Compliments for this tank on the below water part. Also like the effect of the wood coming from the water and dipping back in.

On the downside the emersed part looks to empty and the white paper as a background really does the general impression damage.
— Marco Aukes

Aquascape Details

Dimensions 80 × 35 × 40 cm
Title New Guinea
Volume 112L
Background light blue paper
Lighting 1 x 39W Narva Bio Vital + 1 x 39W Sylvania Aquastar
Filtration Eheim classic 2211
Plants Phragmites australis, Vallisneria nana
Animals Melanotaenia praecox
Materials white sand, black pebbles, contorted wood, driftwood, sticks, dry Phragmites australis
Additional Information Melanotaenia praecox is endemic to the Mamberamo river system in New Guinea. Tends to inhabit swiftly flowing tributaries off the main river. The fish congregate around areas of aqatic vegetation, or submerged roots and logs (www.seriouslyfish.com).

I tryied to imitate one of the small, fast flowing tributary of the Mamberamo river system. The current couses a little plant vegetation in mainstream. Only very few Vallisneria nana can be found there. On the bank, over water level Phragmites australis founds better conditions to grow. Part of the sand was moved by fast water and covered driftwood and stones. To recreate swiftly flowing stream I used dark pebbles and parts of wood contorted by very strong current. I also used white sand according to that biotope, which is in fine contrast to black stones.

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