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Ben's Aquarium Blog » blackwater biotope

Ben's Aquarium blog is a developing resource full of tips and tricks to help build your ecosystem. Every two weeks we upload a new blog post helping to make botanical aquariums easier to keep. If you have a topic you want us to write about please send us a message!

A glass aquarium with brown tinted water and tan twisted branches creating a blackwater aquarium at Betta Botanicals.

Setting Up An Aquarium | Research, Inspiration, Life & Death

Just like in nature, aquariums have a life and death so enjoy your setups and start over if you think it is time for your ecosystem to be reborn. 
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A brown floating macaranga leaf floating in an aquarium with shiny bubbles underneath at Betta Botanicals.

Macaranga Leaves for Indonesian Blackwater Biotope Aquariums

To create a truly captivating Sumatran biotope aquarium you will need to utilize macaranga leaves; both for their tint and pH reducing properties.
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A tan and grey rocky hillslope in a aquarium with leaf litter and text on screen that reads biotope vs. blackwater vs. botanical method.

Key Differences: Biotopes, Blackwater & Botanical Method Aquariums

At first glance, each aquarium type can appear the same – they each have similar elements: botanicals. But upon closer inspection, you'll notice differences in the plant and animal stocking and...
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Ecosystem Profile: Borneo Peat Swamp Forests

Ecosystem Profile: Borneo Peat Swamp Forests

Despite their importance for biodiversity and carbon storage, these forests have been heavily impacted by human activities, leading to the loss of many species. Learn about the threatened and endangered...
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A pile of brown willow oak leaves for aquariums and vivariums at Betta Botanicals.

Willow Live Oak Leaves
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An avocado leaf laid flat for use in blackwater aquariums and vivariums at Betta Botanicals.

Palta Leaf Litter - Peruvian Blackwater Botanicals
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Biome Builder - Fuel Your Ecosystem

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A pile of green malaysian mulberry leaf litter for use in shrimp, snail, and pleco aquariums at Betta Botanicals.

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A pile of brown rhapis excelsa palm fronds for bioactive enclosures and blackwater aquariums at Betta Botanicals.

Excelsa Palm Fronds
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Brown and tan leaves in a pile for South American dart frog enclosures and blackwater aquariums at Betta Botanicals.

Marupa Leaf Litter - Peruvian Blackwater Botanicals
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A pile of brown leaf litter for aquariums and bioactive enclosures replicating South American Habitats at Betta Botanicals.

Cows Ears Leaf Litter - Peruvian Blackwater Botanicals
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North American Botanical Variety Pack

North American Botanical Variety Pack
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Areca Palm Fronds are brown with thin leaf blades, perfect for blackwater botanical method aquariums by Betta Botanicals, Aquarium Botanicals.

Areca Palm Fronds
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Pile of long yellow/brown longan leaves for aquariums and terrariums by Betta Botanicals.

Dimocarpus Longan Leaf Litter
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