need help with blackwater - Aquarium Advice

gabe · 05-13-2008, 01:14 AM

I am trying to figure out how much salt goes in to a blackwater tank

gabe · 05-13-2008, 01:16 AM

how much salt goes into a black water tank

CatatonicBug · 05-13-2008, 01:38 AM

I'm no expert, and like I said in your other post, I know nothing about Blackwater, but I did find this page on another site that talks about setting up a blackwater tank. It does not mention adding salt at all. The "Black" part of the tank comes from the natural tannins leached into the water from wood and other vegetable matter. I don't know if that helps, but maybe someone else will have more info.

rich311k · 05-13-2008, 07:06 AM

No salt in blackwater. The water is supposed to very soft. Driftwood, oak leaves and peat moss can help get the soft brown water you want for a black water tank. Various peat extracts are also available which do a decent job as well.

Salt is added to water to make it brackish. Cichlid salts are also available to make water hard, like the African great lakes.

CatatonicBug · 05-13-2008, 09:39 AM

I have a huge pile of decaying oak leaves if anyone needs them

Skyrmir · 05-13-2008, 11:27 AM

Black water tanks don't need salt. The easiest way to get the tannins going is with some Mopani wood. That way you don't even need the leaves. If you use RO/DI water or just have soft water to begin with, then you won't even need the peat moss.

pitt420dude · 05-13-2008, 12:09 PM

I'd think the trickiest thing is getting the tea color that you'd want.

05-13-2008, 01:14 AM	#1 (permalink)
gabe Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 4	need help with blackwater I am trying to figure out how much salt goes in to a blackwater tank

05-13-2008, 01:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
CatatonicBug Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Saint Louis, MO Posts: 456 Images: 6	I'm no expert, and like I said in your other post, I know nothing about Blackwater, but I did find this page on another site that talks about setting up a blackwater tank. It does not mention adding salt at all. The "Black" part of the tank comes from the natural tannins leached into the water from wood and other vegetable matter. I don't know if that helps, but maybe someone else will have more info. __________________ Remember - in Aquaria, nothing good happens fast. Starting a new tank? Click here for instructions. 47g tall FW, 10g planted, 2.5g planted office tank

05-13-2008, 09:39 AM	#5 (permalink)
CatatonicBug Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Saint Louis, MO Posts: 456 Images: 6	I have a huge pile of decaying oak leaves if anyone needs them __________________ Remember - in Aquaria, nothing good happens fast. Starting a new tank? Click here for instructions. 47g tall FW, 10g planted, 2.5g planted office tank

05-13-2008, 12:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
pitt420dude Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pittsburgh! Home of the 5 Time Superbowl Champs! Posts: 949 Images: 11	I'd think the trickiest thing is getting the tea color that you'd want. __________________ Thank you so much for all your help. I'm now going green. LOOK! A NEW LEAF!!!!!

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05-13-2008, 01:16 AM	#2 (permalink)
gabe Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 4	how much salt goes into a black water tank

05-13-2008, 07:06 AM	#4 (permalink)
rich311k Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 8,744 Images: 35	No salt in blackwater. The water is supposed to very soft. Driftwood, oak leaves and peat moss can help get the soft brown water you want for a black water tank. Various peat extracts are also available which do a decent job as well. Salt is added to water to make it brackish. Cichlid salts are also available to make water hard, like the African great lakes.

05-13-2008, 11:27 AM	#6 (permalink)
Skyrmir Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Posts: 508 Images: 9	Black water tanks don't need salt. The easiest way to get the tannins going is with some Mopani wood. That way you don't even need the leaves. If you use RO/DI water or just have soft water to begin with, then you won't even need the peat moss.