I have access to loads of oak leaves. Would that help moderate the water? Or even water softener salt in a controlled dosage?
Are some species more prone to gas bubble problems?
- Thread starter FINWIN
- Start date
Water softener salt just exchange's the sodium ion for the calcium ion.
This is good for softening water to help make detergents suds up better, but doesn't really provide the mineral free water that is the same as the water in Amazon basin.
Oak leaves, or peat moss will provide tannins that are helpful (antibacterial), but do not really soften water, os lower pH significantly.
Mixing tap water with RO, or rain water can sometimes do the job.
Many aquarists that want to keep, and (especially breed) these Amazonian species wili set up RO, and/or elaborate rain catchment systems.
I collected rain water for soft water species I kept.
I must admit this is difficult when getting enough water for the kind of water changes large cichlids need, and I also soaked leaf littler to get tannins..
So because of my limited supply of soft water, the only soft water species I kept were small species, such as killifish.
So once I realized the limitations of my local water conditions, I tailored the species I kept, to match the water I was provided.
I have always "wanted" keep Uaru fernandenyepizi, but because of my tap water situation, it was not reasonable, so I always passed.
I know this sounds drastic, but the large percentage of successfully keeping fish, is water management, and providing correct conditions for their health.
This is good for softening water to help make detergents suds up better, but doesn't really provide the mineral free water that is the same as the water in Amazon basin.
Oak leaves, or peat moss will provide tannins that are helpful (antibacterial), but do not really soften water, os lower pH significantly.
Mixing tap water with RO, or rain water can sometimes do the job.
Many aquarists that want to keep, and (especially breed) these Amazonian species wili set up RO, and/or elaborate rain catchment systems.
I collected rain water for soft water species I kept.
I must admit this is difficult when getting enough water for the kind of water changes large cichlids need, and I also soaked leaf littler to get tannins..
So because of my limited supply of soft water, the only soft water species I kept were small species, such as killifish.
So once I realized the limitations of my local water conditions, I tailored the species I kept, to match the water I was provided.
I have always "wanted" keep Uaru fernandenyepizi, but because of my tap water situation, it was not reasonable, so I always passed.
I know this sounds drastic, but the large percentage of successfully keeping fish, is water management, and providing correct conditions for their health.
I'll just do what I can for Bobo. After seeing some recent activity I can tell its around 80% caused by tankmates. Is peat moss more effective than leaves at buffering? I'm doing some research to see what the alternatives are.
Example would it take "x" amount to reduce ph to a certain level in a set volume of water?
Example would it take "x" amount to reduce ph to a certain level in a set volume of water?
Some people like sphagnum peat moss because it can be easily found at garden centers, its easier than raking, scooping up, storing and soaking leaves.
I had to rake them anyway, and my trees were insecticide and pesticide free, I would also soak them outside in rain barrels, along with wood soaked for tanks.
Because hardness can represent a number of different ions, trying to determine how much peat to use tobind those ions requires individual experiments with your situation, and testing toes how much lowers what pH.
I find enough tannins to lower pH can color water significantly.
The color in the tank above indicated a reduction in pH from 8 down to 7.2.
I had to rake them anyway, and my trees were insecticide and pesticide free, I would also soak them outside in rain barrels, along with wood soaked for tanks.
Because hardness can represent a number of different ions, trying to determine how much peat to use tobind those ions requires individual experiments with your situation, and testing toes how much lowers what pH.
I find enough tannins to lower pH can color water significantly.
The color in the tank above indicated a reduction in pH from 8 down to 7.2.
I've heard Canadian peat moss is especially superior at buffering and holding nutrients. I'll give the moss a try and run some tests.
While I'm doing all this prep work Bobo is doing nicely. Go figure.
While I'm doing all this prep work Bobo is doing nicely. Go figure.
