Wanting To Make A Biotope, But Where From?

I'm wanting to make a biotope following a certain place, but i'm not sure where, I like plants that Mr G has used in his 60cm Tank, but I was thinking something different. I'd like it to be something that doesn't need too much maintenance, all advice appreciated.

Neal

Neal said:

I'm wanting to make a biotope following a certain place, but i'm not sure where, I like plants that Mr G has used in his 60cm Tank, but I was thinking something different. I'd like it to be something that doesn't need too much maintenance, all advice appreciated.

Neal

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Will this be your first biotope? If so, I suggest you do a Sri Lanka biotope. The fish are very common and pretty, and you can find a good number of low light plants like java ferns and crypts, and hygrophilla to set up with.

If it is not your first, then why not try a South African swamp biotope? It's not too common, and the fish are very interesting.

I forgot to mention the size of the tank, it may be an important factor when considering fish. It's a 24"x12"x15" (h), i'm a begginer to it, and I just want everything to match and be the same sort of leaf size, so nothing looks out of place. I think I may end up doing just a normal community with maybe a pair of dwarf gouramis and some harlequins. I just liked seeing Mr G's tank, and thought i'd like to go along with something similar, as all the plants and fish would need pretty much the same conditions. I'm not a newbie to plants, I can grow riccia succesfully, it's just following a certain area. I'd probably end up putting in plants I wanted though.
Thanks alot for your input, it's appreciated. I'll go and have a look at them biotopes you told me about and read a bit more about them before I do anything.

Regards,

Neal

Congo river, tank maybe abit small for the fish I like from it but tiger lotus', abunias etc. bogwood, congo tetra, maybe an ABF.

I quite like the sound of that Jay, thanks for the input. I'm not sure on the ABF (African Butterfly Fish right?), as they are jumping fish i've heard, and I wouldn't want it to jump out whilst i'm maintaining the tank or anything, but I like the sound of the other items you have suggestions.

Neal

I wouldn't worry about the ABF jumping out during tank maintenance.

Fish that are supposed to jump aren't as jumpy as that in my experience. I keep hatchetfish, betta, arowana and they're all supposed to be great jumpers but I havn't had any problems with jumping during maintenance or at all except the jardini which jumps when spooked.

I wouldn't mind a nice shoal of hatchestfish actually, I think they are great.

Neal

Neal said:

..... and read a bit more about them before I do anything.

Regards,

Neal

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hey Neal, that's the secret to a succesful biotope. READ, READ, and READ some more! A lot of well-meaning folk will give different ideas. I started mine by saying "what fish would I really like in my end result?" then I went and looked at that region. etc... Then I researched each plant, each fish to ensure region, water specs, fish profiles all m,atched. At the end of the day, even your own mind will play tricks on you and you might become undecisive. That's normal too!! andi t's ok.... B)

and so you know I have done one, here's a photo of my aquarium after 2.5 weeks. size: 1.2mx450x500mm. Plants: Hygrophilla (strata, difformis, aquatica, polysperma, aromatioca), java fern, Rotala, Crypt Nevilli, Crypt Wedndti brown, Valisneria spiralis, and a wee bit of Microsoreum tererum. Fish: glass catfish, rasbora, and a False Siamensis. I am still trying to get some Botia kubotai.

Why did I choose SE-Asia? because I found information on the 'net. and most of our plants and fish come from that region. I found http/fish.mongabay.com/ to be VERY useful.

Good luck. (and don't be in a hurry!!)