Dimensions 120 × 50 × 50 cm
Title Backwaters on the King Edward River, Kimberley, Northwest Australia.
Volume 300L
Background Picture of original biotope in size of the back wall of the aquarium.
Lighting LED lights (7500K, 150W, 12000Lm) + 2 х Т5 (54W)
Filtration Atman AT-3338
Plants Eriocaulon cinereum, Eleocharis sp., Nymphoides spongiosa
Animals Melanotaenia australis
Materials Stones and sand are yellowish red in accordance with the nature biotope. In the aquarium there is an above water part, made of stone boulders.
Additional Information About Place.
The King Edward River lies in the far north Kimberley and is recognised as a wild river. It flows northward for approximately 120 kilometres from its source before turning east. It then turns north again for 100 km to flow into Napier Broome Bay, just downstream of Kalumburu.
The length of the river is 221 km, the drainage area is 8,400 km2. The river has several tributaries: Carson River, Drum Creek, Noolawayoo Creek, Coondillah Creek and Hair Creek. The river was named in 1901 by the geodesist Frederick Brockman during an expedition to this area in honor of the King Edward VII, the ruling monarch at the time. Coordinates of the place submitted for the contest are 14°53’40.7″S 126°12’14.4″ E.
The Department of Water Resources of the Government of Western Australia calls it a “wild” river.
The river flows through an open wooded area with low hills and small rocks. On the bottom there is sand with sandy yellowish red boulders. In the water there are many small stones and a few fallen leaves and bark. In the water and in the shallows, the water is slightly reddish, on the current it is greenish blue. In the river there are small areas with a rapid current, waterfalls and large quiet backwaters. On the banks of the river there are Pandanus aquatic, Melaleuca sp. and various herbaceous plants, including sedges. Therefore, at the bottom there are dead leaves of Pandanus and the bark of the tea tree (Melaleuca).
The water is transparent, visibility is about 2 meters. Average water temperature is 25,7°C. pH is less than 5.0. The total hardness is about 10 ppm. Carbonate hardness is about 18 ppm. It should be noted that KH is slightly higher than GH.
Fishes: Mogurnda oligolepis, Melanotaenia australis, Glossogobius giuris, Lerioptherapon unicolor, Neosilurus hyrtlii, Hephaestus jenkensi;
Invertebrates: Macrobrachium bullatum, Caridina sp. (probably WA4),
Reptiles: Emydura australis, Varanus mertensi, Crocodylus johnstonii;
Amphibians: Litoria rubella, Litoria nasuta.
Plants: Vallisneria nana, Eleocharis sp., Eriocaulon setaceum, Eriocaulon sp. (probably lividum), Eriocaulon sp. (probably depressum), Eriocaulon cinereum, Aonogeton euryspermus, Pogostemon stellatus, Nymphaea violacea, Nymphoides spongiosa, Nymphoides sp., Myriophyllum trachycarpum.
Sources of information:
The site research is described in the blog: http://www.aquariumlife.com.au/showthread.php/14251-Kimberley-Kool/page4
Water notes for river management. Department of Water. Government of Western Australia (pages 16-19):
https://www.water.wa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/3364/82108.pdf
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Hi0KJyi6RE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1SPKSsPHaA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u50jlNPMyiM
Photos of the recreated biotope are presented during different parts of the day: at night and in daylight.
