Is This Product Any Good?

[GreenA]

Hi everyone,

I have a quick question:

Is the product "Interpet - Filter Aid" any good? The reason why I'm asking is, that I've had Bogwood in my tank for a couple of months now and the tannins have made my water really brackish. I know some people and fish prefer brackish water, however, I'd like mine clear. So would that product be any good for clearing that up? Any tips and tricks are highly appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[Davo86]

The tannins wouldn't make your tank brackish, brackish is a slight saltwater mixture, Tannins give a blackwater effect.

Filter aid is similarish i suppose to the like of stress zyme and Nutrifin cycle, it will do nothing for discoloured water,
Try adding new carbon to the filter which should help absorb the colouration and then do a few water changes once it starts looking clearer

 

[soybean]

It hasn't made it brackish - you mean it has a blackwater effect. Brackish is slightly salty.

The tannins from the wood stain the water like tea. It will gradually stop leaking these and in the meantime water changes will remove it. But it is harmless.

Filter aid won't do it.

 

[GreenA]

Thanks for that. I've got a sponge filter, so where would I put the carbon in? Sorry might sound like a stupid question but I've never touched the filter apart from squishing the gunk out of the sponge...

ok, sorry for the mistake. yeah, it kinda looks like I dropped a tea bag

 

[Davo86]

you can get carbon in sponge form so any brand that can be fitted inside the filter will do the job

 

[soybean]

Honestly, a few overly generous water changes will take care of it, no need to bother with carbon!

Save the carbon for when you really need it, eg removing meds from the water etc. Tannins are good!

 

[GreenA]

Ok. Thanks for your help guys. I'll leave it as it is and wait until my water changes will have cleared it up. Won't add any stuff in the water or the filter. Thanks again.

 

[Juggler75]

Agreed tanins are beneficial to a lot of species. If you want to add carbon you can cut your sponge cut off a little bit and replace with some activated carbon in a net bag. Make sure you don't cut off too much sponge or you risk a mini cycle, less than a quarter should be safe.

 

[mike455555]

tanins are good + i like a slight bit of colour in my water, it dull's the tank a little and makes it look more natural IMO