How to Create a Natural Amazon River-Themed Aquarium

The Amazon is the second-largest tiver in the world. It's home to over 2,100 species of fish, with more being discovered each year. It is a very diverse habitat. In this article I will tell you how to bring a tiny part of this river home, and make a proper Amazon-themed tank with Amazonian fish.

When setting up a tank you will need the following must-have items to keep the mechanical part of the aquarium up and running:

• A glass aquarium
• A filter
• Airstone
• Air pump
• Undergravel filter (optional)
• Tank-cleaning materials
• Water conditioner

You will have to set up the aquarium (I will not go into detail) and have a proper fishless cycle to build up healthy nitrates and bacteria in the aquarium. This pretty much means that you just leave the aquarium up and running with everything in place for one or two weeks. You can speed up this process with driftwoods, plants, and even snails.

When you have the proper aquarium, you can give it an Amazon theme. You can use plants, driftwoods, stones, specific gravel, and specific fish.

How to Keep Plants Healthy

Pick out a brown, natural-colored sand or gravel substrate, so the roots of the plants can spread, and the plants can be healthy. Specific store-bought substrates are usually provided to help out plants' growth.

Carbon dioxide for plants is usually added into the water by fish respiration, and plants release the CO2 for fish to breathe. CO2 is very important for plants in aquariums, and to keep them green and healthy. You can artificially add it by using a CO2 system if you want.

Lighting for planted aquariums is important. Most Amazon river plants need moderate to bright light. Use a hood for the tank to provide enough light. Hoods also prevent fish from jumping out.

Plant nutrients include nitrogen and phosphorus from fish food and waste and potassium that we add through the addition of ferts. Some trace elements including calcium, magnesium, and iron are also essential. Fertilizer can be added to the substrate (the Azoo Plant Grower is what I use) to keep the plants healthy.

Where to Put the Plants

Put large aquarium plants near the back and side of the tank to make it look more planted and green. Shorter plants should go in the front of the aquarium. Always leave a swimming space in the middle of the aquarium for the fish to swim.

Good Amazon Plants to Consider

• Broad-leaved Dwarf Amazon Sword
• Brasilian Water Ivy
• Water Stargrass
• Water minfoil, a Christmas tree plant
• Mayaca vandelli
• Pygmy Chain Swoardplant
• Red Amazon
• New Zeland grass plant
• Red copper-leaved Alternanthera

Benefits of Driftwood

Driftwood has many uses and benefits in an aquarium, besides giving it a natural, Amazon look. Driftwood can be used to anchor aquarium plants if the specific plant needs that. Driftwood also lowers pH levels considerably, which will help Amazonian fish will thrive. Driftwood also creates a slightly acidic environment and provides hiding space for fish when they need it.

Tannins

Even though tannins aren't bad for an aquarium, they stain your water yellow. Most people don't want yellow water and seek to get rid of tannins. The first thing you should do to prevent them is boil the driftwood. Secondly, put the driftwood in a bucket, and change out the water once every two days. Thirdly, you can just put it in the aquarium and do water changes more often

Finding Driftwood

Never buy driftwood from a normal, non-pet store because they usually spray their pieces with harmful chemicals. You can find driftwood in the wild but it may be unsafe, as the piece could be rotted or have a harmful growth. The best place to buy driftwood is from local pet stores, as they will always be safe for your water.

Common, easy to care for, and smaller species:

• Most types of tetra. My favorites: rummy nose, neon, white or black skirt tetra, Buenos Aires tetra, bloodfin tetra, harlequin rosabora.
• Corydoras
• Guppies
• Hatchet fish
• Pencil fish

Easy to care for, larger species:

• Angelfish
• German blue rams, dwarf rams
• Bristle-nose plecos
• Silver dollars

Very advanced, specific needs, bigger species:

• Discus
• Piranhas
• Common Pleco
• Pacu

Remember that every fish has its own needs and requirements, so aways research before you buy.