Flooding your own forest...

[Tannin Aquatics]

We've seen more and more really cool experiments with leaves and botanicals in aquariums, and I correspond with hobbyists daily who are interested in incorporating leaf litter beds- or rather, simulating leaf litter bed biotopes in their aquariums. With all of the interest in keeping aquariums filled with leaves, it's a good time to talk about the wild leaf beds for a little more inspiration, and to help you with your "scheming!"



Some of the more dynamic leaf-litter zones in the Amazon region (my sort of "go-to" biotope for inspiration) are annual features, found in rain forests on low-lying tributaries of major rivers. Under the influence of these larger rivers, you will see various water depths based on the annual cycle of inundation. This influx of water floods surrounding rain forest areas, and the result is a feature called an igapo.



Obviously, a flooded forest floor has a lot of leaves and botanical materials accumulated, which influences the "topography" and water chemistry of this habitat. Often, these areas form channels a few meters wide, and result in "meanders", which are pockets of water that course away from- and back to- the main streams. During the low water season, you'll see the leaf litter accumulating in these "meanders", with the diversity of life they contain. (click to read more)