Changing to blackwater

[The-Wolf]

I have decided to go for it but just want to check somethings out.

this is the list of fish in the tank(62 gal) I'm going to go blackwater on
angelfish
tiger barb
firehead tetra
neon tetra (lutino)
glowlight tetra
black neon tetra
buenos aries tetra
corydora aeneus (albino)
corydora mellini
corydora adolfoi
brochis splendens

I'm certain the angels and tetras are well suited to blackwater
but have doubts on the others, so the question is;
are they ok to go in blackwater?

now how do I go about changing to blackwater from fresh,
do I add the blackwater extract at a reduced dose and gradually build up to full dose?
at what point sould peat be added to the filter, if at all?

 

[OoHeatheroO]

What is blackwater?

 

[Big Rob]

When I used to keep discus, I went from fresh to blackwater cold turkey by just adding the extract as the directions indicate. I didn't have any problem. I was actually trying to do it to initiate a spawn with a pair I had been having no success with. Otherwise, I wouldn't use. IMO, I think clear water just looks nicer. Whenever people saw the stained water, they'd be like "Ewww. Why's this tank so dirty compared to your other ones?"

 

[The-Wolf]

What is blackwater?

black water (n.; adj. blackwater)
A non-scientific term applied to water that is lightly to strongly tea-colored as a result of tannins and other organic materials leached from decaying vegetation. Such water is typically very low in pH and total dissolved solids, and thusly support a characteristic fauna, piscine and otherwise, specifically suited to such conditions.


so there you go, clear as mud

 

[George Farmer]

Most, if not all those species will benefit from soft, acidic water. If the blackwater extract you use replicates these conditions then I guess you'll experience some benefit. What is your pH, KH, GH currently?

 

[The-Wolf]

pH is 7.5, I don't have a test kit for gH and kH, but could always get it done at work.

 

[Undawada]

I'm setting up a blackwater tank myself, Wolf.

The corys and brochis are blackwater natives, no problem there

 

[smithrc]

our new tank is black water...

Its something to do with the £75 worth of new bog wood in there

 

[George Farmer]

One other consideration to blackwater is its light filtering qualities. If you grow live plants then the light levels will be considerably lower and your plants may suffer. Low-light plants should be fine though.

 

[The-Wolf]

ok thanks for the replys.
I have decided just to go "cold turkey" and keep my eye on the pH etc.
I do have the tank planted and to be honest I keep having to cut them back, so a reduced light level maybe just the ticket.

 

[RYO]

My 60l is a blackwater, i use kent balck water expert plus big slab of bog wood
My rams and tetras colours stand out a mile compared to the old clear water look.
Mind i still get the odd " why's that tank got manky water ?"
I have around 3w per gallon and dont have any probs with my plants but none are real fussy plants either.

 

[CathyG]

I doubt your local water is much different to mine, Wolf, and I went cold turkey on blackwater with no problems at all. I love the look of it, it is much more natural IMO.