Newbie Setup Blackwater Pros Welcome

[cmoazz]

Ok all I think I'm ready!!! I've been reading and these are the things I plan on using for my setup. I plan on having Peacock bass. They prefer very soft and very low alkaline (acidic range) water, so basically I'm attempting to recreate whats known as "blackwater".

These are my tap water levels which I will use to fill my tank on setup and with water changes;

Nitrate 20ppm
Nitrite 0
Hardness(gh) 300ppm
Alkalinity(kh) 300ppm
pH 8.4

Please let me know if there is something better or more recommended than what I have picked out.

Water conditioners;
Seachem Prime
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=4057

Blackwater Extract
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=4085


Below is the way my Filstar Rena XP3 will be set up, from bottom to top just how it filters in each 3 canisters. You have to start at the bottom.

Water returns to tank
----------------------------
Gamma UV Sterilizer
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=11472
----------------------------
Hose leading to tank
----------------------------
CHEMICAL FILTRATION

FilStar Progressive Micro-Filtration Pads
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4136+3622&pcatid=3622

FilStar Water Softener Pillow
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4136+5070&pcatid=5070

:::CANISTER DIVIDER:::

Ehfisubstrat Pro
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4136+8983&pcatid=8983

CHEMICAL FILTRATION
----------------------------
----------------------------
BIOLOGICAL FILTRATION

Ehfisubstrat Pro
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4136+8983&pcatid=8983

BIOLOGICAL FILTRATION
----------------------------
----------------------------
MECHANICAL FILTRATION

20ppi filter pad
20ppi filter pad
30ppi filter pad
30ppi filter pad

FilStar Filtration Pads
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4136+3622&pcatid=3622

MECHANICAL FILTRATION
----------------------------
Aquarium water enters filter

I saw this quote from a Google search of "blackwater".
"Needless to say, you must remove the carbon from your filter in order to make a true blackwater tank. (Sidenote: if you only want to lower your pH, add peat moss to your filter without removing the carbon and your water will not tan.)"
http://joshday.com/blackwatertank.htm

Which leads me to my next question, I'm using an Emperor 280 bio filter. It uses carbon in its filter replacements. I found this SuperCartridge that can be used in my Emperor, I believe it has no carbon;
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=13375
or I can make my own filter by adding whatever products you all recommend into the media container which fits in filter slots.

I would also like to use this product, but I am unsure of where to put it.

Seachem Purigen
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=4190

And I also plan on having live plants with my black gravel and
Seachem Substrate Black Sand
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=4870

I hope that is all the information thats needed, but probably not since I'm new to this. Let me know guys, thanks a lot!

 

[Neervana]

sounds good so far! though i prefer to use the tetra dechlorinator, its never let me down. i've also got a uv unit, but i still have to set it up. also, what test kits you got?

 

[Neervana]

by the way even if you did get a pump with carbon, you could just take it out and replace it with another pad which you would get advised about from your lfs!

 

[cmoazz]

where would the tetra dechlorinator go?
I can fill the media container for the emperor with whatever
I have the quick dip test kit

 

[Neervana]

quick dip test is not a good idea. I started out with the dip test, and then now i have an api liquid master test kit (about £20), they are more accurate.

 

[catfish hippy man (dylan)]

ph of 8.4 is very alkaline for a blackwater seup maybe 5.5-6.5 is a better ph.
btw sounds like a good aquarium you have planned.

 

[cmoazz]

Yes I know, but that's only my untreated tap water levels. Anyone know where in my filter I put the purigen?

 

[FSM]

Anywhere, I think. its like ultra-carbon. How big is the tank?

 

[cmoazz]

its a 120 gallon

 

[catfish hippy man (dylan)]

what fish are going in there?