Before i fall asleep....

[Fish_Mike]

I'll put this thread up so that people can tell me about Blackwater Extract, and i'll check it tomorrow.

I basically want to know the pros and cons of such a thing, and if it lowers your PH and/or GH 'more naturally'. Thanks

 

[rdd1952]

I have never used it before so I can't be of much help. From what I do know about it though, I think it is used to create a more natural Amazon River look. You may want to PM a mod and have them move this to the New World Section. You would probably get more response there.

 

[jimbooo]

i've never used it but i think it has a simmilar effect to using bogwood or peat in a tank ie natural tannins etc... may stain the water slightly but not sure

 

[George Farmer]

I know The-Wolf swears by it.

It can lower pH and KH (which are permanently linked). I'm sure it doesn't lower GH though as this basically is a measurement of the water's totally dissloved solids (TDS). The only way to effectively reduce GH is by diluting with softer water i.e. RO or rainwater.

I personally question its usefulness in the aquarium and believe it more a marketing ploy than an effective tool at creating "Amazonian" environments. Its light filtering effect, however, may be useful for increasing security in certain fish. I wouldn't recommend it in a planted tank though for this light blocking reason.

I'm sure The-Wolf can give you a well-informed reply.

 

[The-Wolf]

ok
I use Sera Morena(tm). This contains peat extracts, trace elements, vitamins and humic acids, whatever the heck that all means
All I know is my ph runs at 6.5; however I use the black water extract in conjunction with peat filtration.
Morena(tm) does give a slight hue to the water but not as much as Tetras' blackwater extract, which gives the water a very dark appearance.

Before using this I couldn't keep neons alive and now they thrive, as do all the fish I have in the tank with this. (see profile, 62gal)

HTH