To tannin or not to tannin.

[evojoey]

I filter my Discus tanks through Peat and use alot of drift wood. I do not use Peat in my CA tanks but I do have drift wood in them. The Discus like the stained water and they seem more active with better appatites. I like the look too. I don't have experiance with Geos. but considering where they are from they might like it, however tank bred fish IMO really don't need it as long as the Ph in your tap water isn't approching 8.0.

The geo's are all F0 or F1. The rays are F0. As are the Lemon tetrs's and cory cats that are in there. So basically the only fish that are captive bred are a few of the geo's, everything else is wild caught.

 

[JK47]

Tannins are neither beneficial nor harmful. I like the look of a crispy tank though

This statment is wrong. Tannins help in softening the water and any blackwater spieces will/does appreciate soft water.

Crispy water is for people and bragging rights, lame and over rated IMO... I have yet to see a "crispy" river or stream. My fish display much more vivid colors in my tanks loaded with tannin acid that mimics natural habitat.

 

[evojoey]

Thanks Justin.

 

[JK47]

Thanks Justin.

No worries Joey. Do it bro, you will be happier and so will your fish. Even if I had very soft water out of the tap I still would, I like really big real wood and love the stained look. You should see the color of thetank my rays and geos are in, very stained and all are F0.

 

[Aquanero]

If that's the case try it. Put some Peat Moss in a mesh bag place it in your filter and your done. Just monitor the Ph and don't do massive water changes if your tap Ph is much above 7. Do like two 25% changes as apposed to one @ 50%. I do 25% Monday and Thursday on my Discus tanks and that works for me my Ph is around 6.2-6.5. See if you like it or more importantly if they like it.

 

[evojoey]

No worries Joey. Do it bro, you will be happier and so will your fish. Even if I had very soft water out of the tap I still would, I like really big real wood and love the stained look. You should see the color of thetank my rays and geos are in, very stained and all are F0.

Don't be afraid to hijack. I'd like to see pics to persuade me.

 

[evojoey]

If that's the case try it. Put some Peat Moss in a mesh bag place it in your filter and your done. Just monitor the Ph and don't do massive water changes if your tap Ph is much above 7. Do like two 25% changes as apposed to one @ 50%. I do 25% Monday and Thursday on my Discus tanks and that works for me my Ph is around 6.2-6.5. See if you like it or more importantly if they like it.

My water is 7.0 out of the tap so I don't have a bad ph problem. I do 50% w/c's every week and seems to do well for everyone. That's what I'm going for. I want the fish to be happy. They seem a little stressed and I want them to feel like they're at home. Thanks for the input.

 

[dr_sudz]

I know that with jumpy arowana's if you add almond leaves to the water then they tend to settle down more but this will also add the tanins to the water.

 

[JK47]

Don't be afraid to hijack. I'd like to see pics to persuade me.

I don't have any pics here at the office but can add some when I get home. You can see a little bit in the thread I started in the ray media lounge. For reference, my sand looks orange in those pics and it is the same brand and color you are using.

 

[darth pike]

The tanins also help many south american cichlids feel randy and help with breeding.