Small native tank aquascaping tutorial: teaching you to create a natural ecological underwater landscape

Rick Chen's small native tank - biotope setup tutorial!

Biotope

What we are going to simulate today is the ecological environment of the South American blackwater basin. Friends with some basic knowledge surely know that the water body of the "blackwater" basin has a PH value of about 1, conductivity approximately equal to 0, and water color of a deep amber shade. This is the primary condition for simulating the environment. How do we make the water show a deep amber color? This time I bought Munster peat soil, which is rich in humic acid, humin and trace elements, and can soften the water quality, lower the pH value, and further increase the fish's resistance. Simply put, it gives the fish a "feeling of being home."

The aquascaping tank prepared this time measures 31 x 18 x 24 cm, which is a small tank size that is not easy to work with. First, pour in an appropriate amount of peat soil

Next up are large Indian almond leaves. This thing is a common tree in parks and outdoors. Its function is roughly similar to peat soil, mainly also to lower the pH value, inhibit bacteria, and stabilize water quality. Because when Indian almond leaves are about to rot, they release a large amount of secondary metabolites, such as tannic acid, oxalic acid, humic acid, etc., all of which are natural organic compounds

Adding an appropriate amount of large Indian almond leaves, besides lowering the acid, is also to simulate the scene of fallen leaves underwater in a natural environment

Next add crushed stone (to press down the large Indian almond leaves and prevent them from floating up), and finally add white sand. The white sand selected this time, whether in color or particle size, has always been something Wuchang loves and treasures. The overall feel is simply natural

Finally adding water - doesn't the half-filled scene already make your heart flutter? Hehe~~

On the first day after adding water, an air pump is used to aerate for 24 hours. At this time, a large amount of peat soil and fallen leaves will float up. After scooping them off the water surface, change half of the water, then continue cycling the water for another 2 to 3 days before adding fish

The fish selected this time are: Tucano tetra. This beautiful tetra was introduced to Taiwan, China about 5 to 6 years ago. At that time, the price was about 800 per fish (NTD). It was one of the highly sought-after beautiful tetras at the time. After prices stabilized over these years, it is finally possible to get them and see them schooling together~

Besides the Tucano tetra, I also added the mouse cory that Wuchang really likes. It looks super cute!

This is the scene after one week. In order to increase the "natural feel," that is, what Japanese people call "the passage of time," there will still be some adjustments and additions of small details. Sharing this Biotope aquascape with everyone