dangers of blackwater tank - Aquarium Advice

Phoenixphire55 · 05-13-2008, 09:35 AM

For some time now I've been wanting to set up a south american tank for my corys, mollys, pleco and then add an angel maybe and some of the dwarf cichlids. However, as cool as blackwater probably looks and as cool as it would be to have decaying leaves at the bottom and the acidic pH, I'm concerned about the potential dangers of that situation with such low kH and such an acidic environment. The goal for me is to make a very natural looking tank with plants so I don't know that I want to risk having actual blackwater conditions. Any thoughts?

**Purrbox** · 05-13-2008, 10:16 AM

I know that many people have naturally extremely low KH out of the tap and they are able to inject CO2 with no issues. I would have minimal concerns about it in a blackwater setup.

Skyrmir · 05-13-2008, 11:12 AM

My 75 isn't exactly blackwater...anymore. The tannins got annoying. However I do inject co2 with a kH of only 3. Water quality is stable as a rock so I really only test things when I make changes to the set up.

My best suggestions would be dwarf lily pads and some mopani wood. The wood will leach tannins and the lilys provide a shaded overcast look. It's beautiful in it's own way and the angels are in hog heaven. You just have to really really like the color of tea. Just realize that it's going to always look dim in there, so if the tank is in a bright room it's going to look dirty.

HiJaC · 05-15-2008, 07:05 AM

hi,

just to back up what peeps say here, i run pressurised co2 on my planted corner tank to 30 ppm with a kh of around 3 and no issues. ph is currently 6.3.

but i do have a ph probe to help me out.

jac

rich311k · 05-15-2008, 07:55 AM

I will add one more. I have almost no KH and I have no problems injecting CO2. A drop checker is an easy way to keep an eye on the levels.

By the way a molly seems pretty out of place on your stock list.

05-13-2008, 09:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
Phoenixphire55 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 237	dangers of blackwater tank For some time now I've been wanting to set up a south american tank for my corys, mollys, pleco and then add an angel maybe and some of the dwarf cichlids. However, as cool as blackwater probably looks and as cool as it would be to have decaying leaves at the bottom and the acidic pH, I'm concerned about the potential dangers of that situation with such low kH and such an acidic environment. The goal for me is to make a very natural looking tank with plants so I don't know that I want to risk having actual blackwater conditions. Any thoughts? __________________ 15 gallon: 5 African clawed frogs 10 gallon: fb toads and fb newts 20 gallon: 8 Mollies, 4 Bronze Corys, pleco 35 gallon: 5 goldfish (3 fantails, 2 pearlscales)

05-13-2008, 10:16 AM	#2 (permalink)
Purrbox Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Iowa USA Posts: 4,458	I know that many people have naturally extremely low KH out of the tap and they are able to inject CO2 with no issues. I would have minimal concerns about it in a blackwater setup. __________________ ~Joy 10 Gallon Planted Photo Log - 5.5 Gallon Planted Photo Log - 2.5 Gallon Planted Photo Log - Pico Planted Photo Log

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

05-13-2008, 11:12 AM	#3 (permalink)
Skyrmir Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Posts: 508 Images: 9	My 75 isn't exactly blackwater...anymore. The tannins got annoying. However I do inject co2 with a kH of only 3. Water quality is stable as a rock so I really only test things when I make changes to the set up. My best suggestions would be dwarf lily pads and some mopani wood. The wood will leach tannins and the lilys provide a shaded overcast look. It's beautiful in it's own way and the angels are in hog heaven. You just have to really really like the color of tea. Just realize that it's going to always look dim in there, so if the tank is in a bright room it's going to look dirty.

05-15-2008, 07:05 AM	#4 (permalink)
HiJaC Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 150	hi, just to back up what peeps say here, i run pressurised co2 on my planted corner tank to 30 ppm with a kh of around 3 and no issues. ph is currently 6.3. but i do have a ph probe to help me out. jac

05-15-2008, 07:55 AM	#5 (permalink)
rich311k Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 8,744 Images: 35	I will add one more. I have almost no KH and I have no problems injecting CO2. A drop checker is an easy way to keep an eye on the levels. By the way a molly seems pretty out of place on your stock list.