Blackwater Question

[bassinmike85]

I am converting my 225g Cichla tank into a blackwater tank next week.

My question maybe dumb but i wanted to know if polyfil will have a negative impact on keeping the water stained?

Any tips and advice would be much appreciated.

Thank You

 

[FJB]

Should make no difference. Tannins and particles release by wood or leaves and which stain the water are smaller than what polyfill will retain. It is like retaining tea stain in a paper coffee filter- very little. You might lose a little but not much.

 

[duanes]

Agree with FJB, tannins are in solution, and will not be removed by normal filer media..

I use Porret Foam, as mechanical filter media, and the tannins are unaffected.
They will need to be constantly infused with leaf litter, Rooibos Tea, or Peat in the tank though, because water changes will removed them.

 

[Robreneee]

Agree with FJB, tannins are in solution, and will not be removed by normal filer media..
View attachment 1516922
I use Porret Foam, as mechanical filter media, and the tannins are unaffected.
They will need to be constantly infused with leaf litter, Rooibos Tea, or Peat in the tank though, because water changes will removed them.
View attachment 1516923

 

[Robreneee]

Rooibos tea…someone told me that is was just cosmetic and has no beneficial tannins. I assume that’s wrong?

 

[duanes]

It is true that rooibos tea has only about 4% tannins, compared to say black tea with 10-15%.
Almond leaves @20%
Or peat moss with about 40%.
I did an experiment using almond leaves in my 180 gal because they seem to be touted a lot in aquarium circles, and found them a bit wimpy.

Experiment w Almond Leaves