HELP

[eatyoualive]

i have three juvi reds and i watched a movie on red bellies the other day and they live in murky water how would i make my water murky do they make anything to do that i also changed from rocks to branches and drift wood and they really like i think if they had murky water and less lighting they would be more active i need ideas

 

[jp80911]

you can add some drift wood, just clean it really well without boiling it.
the drift would should leach your water with tannins which will make your water color turn into tea color. you can also use black water extract or peat moss or Indian almond leaves.
make sure you don't have carbon in the filter other wise it'll remove the tannins.
you can find more information online, just search for it.

 

[eatyoualive]

thank you

 

[Armand]

i have three juvi reds and i watched a movie on red bellies the other day and they live in murky water how would i make my water murky do they make anything to do that i also changed from rocks to branches and drift wood and they really like i think if they had murky water and less lighting they would be more active i need ideas

I wouldn't bother myself to get the tank water murky if I were you, unless you don't wish to fully see your fish.

I know their natural environment are murky waters, but they can do well in cristal clear waters, and believe me mate, you don't want a murky water tank in the middle of your living room, bedroom or wherever you're installing that setup.....


Cheers.

 

[mfgl]

They do make tannic acid additives , it also contains Iodine which most tap water doesnt have and helps growth in fish. I forget who makes it, it comes in yellow bottles, I think thats tetra brand...It looks flourecent green/yellow when you add it but as it mixes in it gives the water a slightly yellow/brownn tint without making it cloudy. Nice for tanks with lots of wood and dim light.

 

[eatyoualive]

i took the lid and light off the top and put a clmap on desk top light and they seem to move around more soo i think im going to leave it i like it alot

 

[sostoudt]

drift wood will add tanins. tetra also makes some thing called blackwater extract.

the murkyness not brown color is probably from suspended silt in the amazon so you could just add mud

 

[instantthc]

from my experience piranhas like the least amount of light possible. but have enough so it's enjoyable for you to watch them. driftwood is a nice touch. black gravel or sand also absorbs light. and most likely your fish arent wild caught so there already used to our setups
GL

 

[kevbc03]

Dim the light a little bit using black electrical tape. Wrap the desired amount around the bulb itself and that will give it a dim/murky look to it.

 

[hybridtheoryd16]

I use oak leaves for tannic acids when i buy new rare characins to help with fin rot and fungus problems.

OP do a search for oak leaf litter substrate. In your area that would be a free alternative. i use about 50-60 leaves in a 75g hospital tank.