Blackwater conditions and Cichla....

[High City Rida]

I say try it with the colors your cichla already show man you may just take them to the next level. I have tried Peat moss also and I have no real info to add there meaning I seen no real difference other then stabilty of low ph. As for Black water extract or leaves I highly reccomend it but as Pete has said do your home work and be consistant. JC I would DEFF do it. You seem to have a good thing going and it can only get better. I also have used Vita Chem for my younger Cichla. I am in no way saying I have the secret but I am so far out of the box i will never turn back I personally do what is good for me and my investment.

 

[gacericardo]

Im confused. What does the term blackwater mean. Does it actually change the color of your water or is that just a term for it? And how do you not use chems? I dont get that either. I have kept p bass for a few years but would like to start doing everything that i can to benefit their health and growth (and color).

 

[gacericardo]

and what if you have other fish besides peacocks in your tank? Does that effect them in any way?

 

[jcardona1]

nice, thanks for the info guys! im definitely gonna try this, gonna order some on ebay tonight, unless you guys have a cheaper source for them, let me know! i think the 100lbs of driftwood and leaves should give some nice results.

cant wait to see the change in behavior. and yeah id rather go the natural route, not too fond of chemicals. the only chemical ive ever added to my tank is Prime for chlorine and thats it

anybody else got stories to share??

 

[High City Rida]

PM me and I will share but I dont want to jack JCardona's thread. This topic has always been a great discussion. Black water is know as tannis. The leaching of minerals and other trace element's found in there natural habbitat as I see it specifcly during the flood month's.

@JC great to hear man I can't wait to see your results and I surley hope you get some great success from it. Hopefull breeding that would be PIMP.

 

[jcardona1]

PM me and I will share but I dont want to jack JCardona's thread. This topic has always been a great discussion. Black water is know as tannis. The leaching of minerals and other trace element's found in there natural habbitat as I see it specifcly during the flood month's.

@JC great to hear man I can't wait to see your results and I surley hope you get some great success from it. Hopefull breeding that would be PIMP.

no worries, post away bro! btw, did you find that it changed the color of your water a lot? id like to get the benefit of blackwater w/o actually having blackwater, if that makes any sense lol. either way, i dont see a few leaves making my water look like pepsi back when i added my driftwood lol

 

[High City Rida]

It will only be temporary as for the color change but the trace elements will be there long after your water clears up. The element's will deplete over time when you change the water at which time you should be changing the leaves or even sooner depending on your schedule. I would imagine that if you continued to use it consintantly those elements will be there as long as you continue use. But as with anything you use changing the water will deplete what ever your using. I personally wish my tank would always be black in appearance. LOL But I aggressivly change water in all my tanks which keeps all my fish conditiond to my needs and preference. Truhfully JC you are doing it for the element's. For me it very comforting and soothing to them almost like a euphoria for them and keep doing it nothing is instant it takes time.

 

[bOOsteN aUdI]

Im confused. What does the term blackwater mean. Does it actually change the color of your water or is that just a term for it? And how do you not use chems? I dont get that either. I have kept p bass for a few years but would like to start doing everything that i can to benefit their health and growth (and color).

and what if you have other fish besides peacocks in your tank? Does that effect them in any way?

Black water occurs from tannins from organic matter such as cattapa leaves ect that leaches nutrients out into your tank water. They often tan your water in the process. This occurs in the wild but more in depth. It usually occurs during the rainy season while the water collects and runs through the forest collecting leaves, trace, sediment and organic nutrients which then drains in the amazon ect. you try to replicate the same thing in your tank but in a different, cleaner way.

I have no need for any chemicals since nyc water is superb. we don't have chlorine, chloramines, or metals in our water. If you are going to use any chemicals the only one I recommend is Prime.. It will rid any of these plus f yo have nitrates.. To tell you the truth one day I ran out and didn't have a chance to go to m lfs for a while.. I did a bunch of water chances and never saw a difference so stopped using the stuff.

As for doing everything right, this is just a start.. This so many thing an aquarist can do and take into consideration.. think like a fish using all the facts that you know certain fish live in certain steady ph and conditions, water quality and diet is key, fluctuation of any kind is bad..ect

As to answer your question about your other fish.. it depends on what they are. Not all fish live in and like the same water quality as cichla, they may come from a different environment that may be hard for them to adapt too. I keep cichla with basically just cichla.. it's easier that way. **** all I keep is cichla besides my old marine tanks which I no long have.. Cichla have been keeping me occupied for years now.

 

[gacericardo]

nice. i have an oscar and rtc hybrid in there with them. as well as a gar. Im not sure im going to try the blackwater route. Any other nutrients i can put in there to help with their color. I want them to be vibrant

 

[High City Rida]

nice. i have an oscar and rtc hybrid in there with them. as well as a gar. Im not sure im going to try the blackwater route. Any other nutrients i can put in there to help with their color. I want them to be vibrant

Look into trying Boyds Fresh Water Vita Chem.