Darkening Tank Water with tea

[jumpin joe fish]

I was thinking of darkening the water of my 40g angel and dwarf cichlid tank
with some tea. I like the black water look but really wasn't interested in lowering my PH. Would some strong black tea, about 1 cup in a 90g lower my ph? Would some colors look better with the darker water? Any info would help. I hope I am not too far off base here.

 

[bigspizz]

Tea? I have no clue. Doesn't tea have caffeine? Is caffeine bad for fish? I use drift wood (tannins) for "dark" water....

 

[Ianab]

Never tried it ... but tea is just chopped up leaves.. from a tea bush.
People use Oak or Almond leaves to greate blackwater? Maybe try making some tea with some of those?

But I would experiment with just a small amount first and gradually build up the amount over a few days while watching for any effects on the fish.

Cheers

Ian

 

[oshp132]

I wouldn't add tea to any of my discus tanks.....Why don't you buy a piece of brand new drift wood....I think they call it the malasian drift wood....It seem sto leach out into the water for several months.....

MIKE

 

[dragonfish]

Isn't there a product called blackwater extract just for that purpose?

 

[erikmasher]

Yeah just get the extract or the driftwood. I wouldn't take any chances with the tea.

 

[Lupin]

People use Oak or Almond leaves to greate blackwater? Maybe try making some tea with some of those?

They are okay for use. I don't see a problem using the leaves.

Isn't there a product called blackwater extract just for that purpose?

That is expensive IMO compared to peat, driftwoods and almond leaves. I used almond leaves but I do not have to spend a single cent considering I collect them from trees around.

 

[fISHyPriorities]

yes i say just go with some new drift wood