Here it is... New 125 set up

[Tpriem21]

Here is my new blackwater 125 gallon tank i set up. I bought this for my p's. I currently have 3 natteri and a choc albino pleco. I have 2 that are about 3" and 1 that was free that is the size of a quarter. I am ordering 5 more natteri that are around 5" each to put in the tank. Maybe another bigger pleco as well.
I am running 130 gallons of heater at 79-80 and 165 gallons of filtration. Along with the 10" bubbler. I have used blackwater extract to give it the tea look. I personally love the look of the tank. I am adding floating green plants when i can find them. Any input is welcome. Thanks
Tyler Priem

 

[Tpriem21]

I just realized you cant see the blackwater as much as you can in person. Open to any suggestions as i am just beginning to keep Pygos. THanks

 

[ballinouttacntrol]

Have you considered adding a powerhead for a current instead of the bubbler?

 

[Tpriem21]

No i havent... What are the benefits?

 

[ballinouttacntrol]

No i havent... What are the benefits?

Better aeration, helps move the water for even better filtration but lots of piranhas like the current. I didn't put one in originally when i bought this shoal of reds but after like 6 weeks they became fairly inactive and kind of sat at the bottom of the tank. Put in an airhead the next day and they've been swimming in the current ever since. Right now 3 of the 7 (i recently lost one) are facing the airhead and swimming in place toward it.

 

[fishloaf666]

if you want the blackwater look remove all carbon from filters and add driftwood, the tannins leech into the water resulting in natural blackwater.

 

[Tpriem21]

Ok ill look into a powerhead now and before i add more p's

How do i remove the carbon from the filters? And i have been looking for driftwood but havent found the right one yet. I want this aquarium to be NATURAL.. well as natural as can be.... I really dont like the look of fake and yeah lol

 

[fishloaf666]

Ok ill look into a powerhead now and before i add more p's

How do i remove the carbon from the filters? And i have been looking for driftwood but havent found the right one yet. I want this aquarium to be NATURAL.. well as natural as can be.... I really dont like the look of fake and yeah lol

i see you are using HOB filters for your tank. do you buy the premade filters with the black stuff inside them? thats the carbon, and all you have to do is cut the top/side wherever and dump it out. check this site and craigslist ect for large pieces of driftwood at a better price, if you go to a LFS they can get very pricey.

i would also possibly dim the lights down with some tin foil or by wrapping electrical tape around the bulbs, the piranhas don't like bright lights and a dimmer light would also make the water seem (blacker) i would assume.

 

[Tpriem21]

Yeah i figured thats what the carbon was. Ill look into doing that. But the light that is on there is actually a darker one than i was using.

 

[ballinouttacntrol]

Funny seeing you say you want a natural look when there's fruity pebble color substrate in there. I'm just giving you a hard time though. I got my driftwood from a store i found on craigslist that was advertising for a going out of business sale. Didn't want to go through the hassle of soaking so i just selected a few piece directly out of their tanks.