Coffee, anyone?

[benzjamin13]

Just curious if anyone has ever used, researched, or experimented with coffee grounds with their aquarium. Seems like it would be help soften water as well as add a bit of tannins. I heard that it might be rich in plant nutrients. Anyone think it's safe?

 

[tlindsey]

Just curious if anyone has ever used, researched, or experimented with coffee grounds with their aquarium. Seems like it would be help soften water as well as add a bit of tannins. I heard that it might be rich in plant nutrients. Anyone think it's safe?

I personally would use Coffee if it was safe. Instant Blackwater for sure.

 

[tlindsey]

I personally would use Coffee if it was safe. Instant Blackwater for sure.

I'm going to do a PH test with Coffee tomorrow.

 

[kno4te]

Seen a few use it and does have the same effect as peat moss. Not sure about long term use though.

 

[twentyleagues]

Wonder if caffeine is an issue. I've heard of rooibos tea being used. Rooibos is caffeine free.

 

[fishhead0103666]

RD. Any experience?

 

[TwoHedWlf]

I tried it once, but my fish stayed up all night and were constantly twitchy.

 

[Backfromthedead]

The caffeine issue was my immediate concern...not sure how fish physiology works with caffeine but im sure theres some effect. Maybe they'd be more gregarious and productive.

 

[neutrino]

I've heard of people trying coffee, without much reporting on results, especially not long term. I very briefly tried tea bags many years ago, the experiment didn't last long, they didn't do much to stain a tankful of water at the low input levels I was willing to risk trying. More traditional methods worked a lot better.

That said, I've since seen suggestions in science literature of caffeine causing problems including defects in fry and stress responses in the general fish population, and evidence caffeine creates water quality problems and encourages growth of certain pathogenic or ammonia producing bacteria in a tank. ( article ) Contrast this with more traditional aquatic tannin sources which are often mildly antiseptic.

My understanding (or reading) is this hasn't been extensively studied, so I don't know how conclusive some of this is, but what I've seen is enough for me. At this point, without some strong and authoritative evidence to the contrary, I wouldn't do it.

 

[twentyleagues]

Ok so no coffee and no tea bagging .....got it