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For all you hobbyists
out there that have done everything and bred everything, the biotope aquarium
could be the answer to your boredom. This involves setting up an aquarium
as closely as possible to the actual environment and stocking it with only
the material that is native to a particular area.
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ANDRE'S
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Biotope
Aquarium
It's a tough job to try to reproduce a slice of
nature,
and do it in a pleasing, artful way at the the
same time. |
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Reef
Fish, The Gems of The
Sea
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Andre's Aquarium
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No one can duplicate the natural environment that
is provided in nature, but if we understand the basic physiological requirements
and assume the very serious responsibility of caring and maintaining these
delicate creatures, it is possible to enjoy a very interesting and rewarding
hobby.
*Natural Environment Aquarium
The
Ropefish
UniqueFish
Fresh to Brackish Water Gobioids
Combtooth
Gobies, the Family Gobiidae
*These Pages were written by Members of Andre's
Aquarium Club
ORDER THIS BOOK
TODAY
Most of us are very anxious to get our marine world
started. One of the best reference books available that
I can recommend is,
SIMON & SCHUSTER'S COMPLETE GUIDE
TO..............
FRESHWATER AND MARINE AQUARIUM
FISHES
A guide for beginners and
experts alike, Simon & Schuster's Guide to Freshwater and Marine Aquarium
Fishes is the most useful book an aquarium enthusiast can own. Whether you
are interested in goldfish, guppies, or the most exotic marine species, the
opening section on starting an aquarium covers everything you need to know.
Illustrated in color throughout, the 295 entries cover plants, amphibia,
reptiles, and invertebrates as well as aquarium fishes. Each entry provides
the common name, scientific name, and family; distribution of the species
in the wild; a description of shape, color, and size; information about sexual
differences, feeding habits, reproduction, compatibility with
other species, and much more. Next to each entry are easy-to-read symbols
that indicate the proper water temperature, pH, and illumination.
This comprehensive guide gives you all
the information you need to maintain a beautiful, balanced, and thriving
aquarium.
The Aquarium
Doctor
The Aquarium Doctor is a
Member of Andre's Aquarium Club.
If you have any aquarium
related questions check out
the Aquarium Doctor.
The
Aquarium Doctor
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Members may ask questions on any aquarium
related subject and look for information returned on their own personal email
faster than most can look it up.
If you are really
serious
about this
hobby,
check
out
Andre's Aquarium Club's
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WORLD PETSTORE.COM
For
Supplies
at Discount Prices
Eliminate
algae
Growth
Safe for fish, plants, animals and humans
Degrades
and dissolves organic bottom solids and scum. End result is carbon dioxide
releasing through the top of the water
after BI-
AQUACULTURE consumes the nitrates & phosphates. Other products require
the tank or pond to be vacuumed
creating
excess maintenance
Improves
water clarity and quality; no more green water
Will work in fresh and salt water
Cuts and
eliminates odors
Converts
nitrites to nitrates
Oxidizes
Ammonia to nitrite
BI-AQUACULTURE
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These sites are intended to be informational
in nature and were created with our members in mind.
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Home
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"Sometimes we are lucky enough
to know that our lives have been
changed, to discard
the old, embrace the new, and run headlong
down an immutable course. It happened
to me ...
on that summer’s day, when
my eyes were opened to the sea."
... Jacques Yves
Cousteau
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The Brackish Biotope Aquarium
by Andy Gordon of England, and Michelle Stuart
of Ontario Canada
This type of set-up is not to difficult to achieve
but it is highly recommended that all specialist set-ups are avoided by beginners
until they have more experience when it comes to things like manipulating
the water chemistry etc.
Brackish water is not quite fresh water and not
quite marine water, it is found where the two meet, in lagoons, river mouths,
tidal rivers and salt-marshes. And just as they have everywhere else, some
creatures have adapted to this environment and make it their permanent home.
The fish that live in such places do make the journey into full saltwater
occasionally, and also into full fresh water, but although they can tolerate
those conditions on a temporary basis they cannot live there all the time
or their health will suffer. If you decide to give it a try you will be rewarded
by getting to keep a very unique and interesting group of fish.
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Biotope
From Wikipedia, the free
encyclopedia
A biotope is an area of uniform environmental (physical)
conditions providing habitat(s) for a specific assemblage of plants and animals.
Used in this sense, "biotope" is really synonymous with the term "ecosystem".
However, some ecologists would limit the term to encompassing only physical
environmental factors; essentially meaning: the habitat of a community of
organisms. Thus, a species has a certain habitat, but the group of species
that share an ecosystem with that species, share a biotope. Just as a habitat
is the place where a species is found, so a biotope is the place where a
specific biological community is found.
The Commission of the European Communities of the
European Union has a biotopes project that forms part of the CORINE (CO-oRdinated
of INformation on the Environment) experimental work programme that publishes
the CORINE Biotope Manual (ISBN 9992441577) describing and defining hundreds
of different biotopes. These are described based on both their physical aspects
and the dominant species present.
Discussion of a Biotope
Aquarium
Part 1 and 2
by Phil Edwards
My passion for biotope aquariums began when I was
a young child. At that time Seattle had one of the best aquariums on the
West Coast, and probably still does. Whenever we went I could spend hours
sitting in front of the stream ecosystem watching the bass, perch, and sunfish
swimming around in their habitat. Since then I've loved the idea of keeping
such a system myself even though I had no idea what a biotope was. When I
was in college I came across an image of Perfection. Nanne de Vos had created
the most beautiful rendition of a small stream on a high plateau of Cameroon.
His creation was complete with a custom created background and everything.
If one didn't know better it would be hard to tell the difference between
it and nature. I knew at that moment that biotopes were where I wanted to
go. That was five years ago and it wasn't until recently that I finally had
the chance to create such an aquatic ecosystem of my own. This article is
a discussion of the various steps I took in creating my very own slice of
nature.
Waterscapes
Plants.
Aquarium
Algae
Aquarium
Water
The
Tropical Tank
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We can never fully duplicate
the natural
environment
that is provided
in nature,
but if we understand the basic physiological
requirements and assume the very serious responsibility of caring and maintaining
these delicate creatures, it is possible to enjoy a very interesting and
rewarding hobby.
A biotope aquarium, is set up with the idea of
duplicating a natural habitat, be it lake, river, or stream. The fish, plants,
water and furnishings are the same as the natural area that you are trying
to simulate. Before you consider setting up a biotope aquarium, always check
the compatibility. Some species from the same habitat are not suited for
the same tank. Remember, the tank is much smaller than a river or stream
and there will be fewer hiding places.
Always research before hand what species
you intend to put
together.
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Click here to stop or start
music!
Why Biotope?
There are many good reasons for setting up an aquarium
that tries to simulate the natural habitat of fishes. The foremost is probably
from an ecological viewpoint. With the destruction of the tropical rain-forests
worldwide it is important to preserve the native surroundings of our fish
before they disappear forever.
Tropical fish interacting in their natural waters
are completely different than the community set up we are all use to. This
leads to the second reason, with all the advances in aquatic technology
maintaining such a tank is now easier than ever and obtaining the proper
species whether fish or plants is usually not difficult either.
Another reason is just for the challenge. Most of
us at one time or another get bored and start to look for something new,
why not try a Biotope? There is already a growing following in the "mini
reef" field with some specializing in specific sections of reefs. We can
do the same with fresh water! Please note that the stocking levels suggested
here are on the high side and infer a regular maintenance routine and excellent
management habits, Badman's always encourages you to research your fish and
their needs before purchasing them and list these set up as guidelines only.
BIOTOPE AQUARIA -- Updated
December.7.2004
A biotope aquaria is an aquarium that is set-up
to simulate a natural habitat. The fish, plants, water chemistry, and furnishings
are similar to those that can be found in a specific natural setting. (more)
Always check compatibility! Some species from a
particular habitat are not suitable tankmates. For example, the Peacock Bass
will eat small tetras since they are their natural food in the wild.
The biotope aquarium can be adpated by adding species
from disparate areas that have similar water requirements.
Mongabay.com
is the sole effort of Rhett A. Butler, who has taken the photos and written
all of the content found on the site. If you find
mongabay.com a useful resource I hope that you may consider
making a contribution to help support the site. You can also assist by purchasing
biotope books using links on this page.
DISCLAIMER
These pages are written as a Information pages
and can be copied and redistributed for NON Profitable use.
All the images and information on these pages has
been given and submitted FREE as a free service to all the Fish Keepers,
but remains the property of the owner. No person on these pages, nor the
webmaster, accepts any liability for any losses, damage whatsoever being
done by using advise given. When browsing these pages and/or submitting your
information you agree to the above.
Aquacultured Corals and Marine Fishes for
Aquariums
Robert M. Fenner
Author, Marine Scientist
A principal concern of many aquarists is the state
of the world's environments and the possible impact their demanding hobby
might have. Though no species has been "wiped out" by wild-collection on
the reef, the use of boats, subsequent labor, non-human resources, nets,
and other tools to get wild harvested specimens to consumers isn't without
consequence. As a conscientious alternative, the tank breeding of fishes
and asexual fragmenting of hard and soft corals reduces environmental destruction
and is by definition a more easily controlled resource.
Greetings, and welcome. You've found Andre's Aquarium
Club website—a look inward at our staff, resources and ideas and a look
outward to the diversity of our water planet.
The Aquarium Club pages are much more than a place
to see and learn about aquatic life. Our focus is on raising people's awareness
of the environment through information and Internet links. Our work extends
beyond these pages, to conservation and aquaculture research projects
worldwide-from helping understand environmental changes, to saving the endangered
Reefs, and endangered species with captive bred marine life.
It's an exciting time for us. We've just increased
our membership by offering a lifetime membership. Our website allows us to
share a wonderful future with you.
If you have, or are thinking of starting a Aquarium,
you should join our club to save money and the lives of your fish.
CLICK
HERE
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M
"For in the end we will conserve only
what we love.
We will love only what we
understand.
We will understand only what we are
taught."
--B. Dio
A biotope
aquarium,
is set up with the idea of duplicating a natural
habitat, be it lake, river, or stream. The fish, plants, water and furnishings
are the same as the natural area that you are trying to simulate. Before
you consider setting up a biotope aquarium, always check the compatibility.
Some species from the same habitat are not suited for the same tank. Remember,
the tank is much smaller than a river or stream and there will be fewer hiding
places. Always research before hand what species you intend to put
together.
Amazon Stream Biotope Aquarium
Originally, in April 1999, the 180 gallon All-Glass
tank had been setup to house a variety of Amazonian fish and plants. Careful
research was done to approximate an Amazon stream environment in this paying
attention to plant, fish, substrate and other decorative features.
However, due to months-long uncontrollable green
hair algae growth, the plants, CO2 injection and extra lighting were replaced
with silk plants and lower light levels.
A year later, new homes were found for the numerous
small South American fish that we'd lovingly kept. In their stead, six
long-lived, large-growing fish occupy now this huge aquatic environment.
We look forward to years and years of enjoyment of four of tiger oscars,
Astronotous Ocellatus, and a pair of common plecostomus, Hypostomus
plecostomus.
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The
establishment of a well balanced nitrogen cycle is paramount for the health
and success of any aquarium. Read the article on the
 nitrogen
cycle ,
it is the most important thing you can read and understand
about caring for marine and tropical fish.
The Nitrogen
Cycle
The Technology of the Aquarium
The Paludarium
by Kent Turner
A paludarium encompasses the habitat where water
and air play equal importance. A paludarium may incorporate a gradually sloped
beach, a mangrove flat, a rivers edge, or a flooded forest. There are many
ways to use the biotope theme, but they all include some emerged and some
submerged area within the same tank. In a brackish paludarium, one could
include fiddler crabs, mudskippers, archerfish, and four-eyed anableps to
see how these creatures use the air/water zone naturally. In a freshwater
paludarium, amphibians such as newts and some frogs, as well as lesser known
ceacilians and sirens would work well. In a saltwater paludarium, one could
recreate the littoral zone where waves crash upon rocky shores. An elaborate
system could include tide pools, and could simulate wave action via timed
pumps or a dump-bucket system. With enginuity one could even simulate the
ebbs of the tides using a reservoir tank. Encrusting mollusks, sea urchins,
crabs, starfish and others would be perfect for this type of setup.
BIOTOPE AQUARIA
A biotope aquaria is an aquarium that is set-up to simulate a natural
habitat. The fish, plants, water chemistry, and furnishings are similar to
those that can be found in a specific natural setting.
Always check compatibility! Some species from a particular habitat are
not suitable tankmates. For example, the Peacock Bass will eat small tetras
since they are their natural food in the wild.
The biotope aquarium can be adpated by adding species from disparate areas
that have similar water requirements.
Mongabay.com is the sole effort of Rhett A. Butler, who has taken the
photos and written all of the content found on the site. If you find mongabay.com
a useful resource I hope that you may consider making a contribution to help
support the site. You can also assist by purchasing biotope books using links
on this page.
[Photos from various habitats/biotopes]
Freshwater fish species listed by country and ecosystem -- excellent resources
for constructing biotope aquaria.
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