Blackwater extract

[Fiori]

I've been searching the web for info on blackwater extract, as I'm thinking of using it in my angel tank. I can't seem to get much info beyond sales patter from the companies that sell it. Apart from staining the water and adding useful minerals and vitamins for spawning , does it do anything else? Does it affect pH directly i.e. cause it to drop?

 

[The-Wolf]

yes it will lower the pH slightly.when used in conjunction with peat in the filter the pH should drop to around 6.5

 

[abstract]

the idea is to mimic our fishes native environments..many come from varying degrees of "blackwater" and this helps to recreate it....as the-wolf said, the addition of peat will also help to lower pH...driftwood can also be used for the positive effects of "tannin" that it leeches into the water and indian almond leaves supposedly has natural antibiotic characteristics, not to mention stain the water brownish/yellow also

 

[Fiori]

I may have to avoid this product then, as I have to add some crushed coral to my filter to stabilise my pH as it is - my KH is 1, GH 2 so I have low pH anyways. My bogwood does'nt stain the water Oh well, the fish seem happy enough without it anyway.

Thanks for the info.

 

[OohFeeshy]

Indian almond leaves are a good source of tannins.

 

[Fiori]

I've seen some discussions about these on the forum, particularly the betta section. Are'nt they sort of antiseptic as well?

 

[abstract]

...and indian almond leaves supposedly has natural antibiotic characteristics, not to mention stain the water brownish/yellow also

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[Fiori]

I checked out the pinned thread on IAL on the betta section - looks like it will also lower pH. So thats a no no as well.Thanks for the time you've all taken to respond.

 

[abstract]

what is your pH at exactly? it's not like adding driftwood and IAL, etc causes it to go lower and lower and lower...it stabilizes at a certain pH no matter how much you add...usually in the mid 6's...your pH must be REALLY low if you have to add crushed coral

 

[Fiori]

Sorry about the delay in replying - been away for a few days. After 2 weeks from being set up, the tank had dropped from 7 (out the tap) to 6, which is as low as my test kit goes. My KH is 1, GH 2 so I have almost no buffering in the water. A tablespoon of coral sand in a stocking in the filter keeps it stable at 6.4. All my tanks are the same and all have a little bit of coral sand.