How to keep my water black...

[satanpie]

Hey guys, I have a 75 gallon tank and i am trying to keep the water dark, I've been unable to find peatmoss anywhere, so ive been using tetra's blackwater extract, it stays dark for about 2 days then it gets filtered out, would it last longer if i removed the carbon from my filters? i have 2 canister filters, one rasted for 100 gallons and one rated for 20 gallon, what would be the consequences of removing the carbon? do you have any other suggestions for keeping the water dark? thanks!

 

[chinnp]

The carbon is filtering it out. I wouldn't add any chemicals to get this effect though. Get a filter back and fill it with peat moss (like the kind you can find at a gardening store). Put this in the filter and it will turn your water a nice tea color. When the color starts to fade, replace the moss.

 

[chefjamesscott]

ive never heard of this why do you want black water

 

[chinnp]

For one thing it makes the tank look cooler if you're keeping blackwater fish (i.e. some tetras, rams, etc.....) and it makes your water softer. I like it for the looks more than anything when I had my blackwater tank at one time.

 

[Notophthalmus]

Yep, take that carbon out. You can use dry oak leaves as as alternative/ addition to peat moss. If you find a nice juicy piece of driftwood it'll stain your water in no time.

 

[JL15219]

:iagree:

 

[chinnp]

I have heard this about driftwood as well, but I've never had it happen to me unfortunately. Driftwood seems to have no effect on my water at all.

 

[Notophthalmus]

Just depends on the piece. I have a chunk of driftwood in my 65 that turns the water to the color of weak coffee; I have to run carbon in the filter just so I can see my fish.

 

[msjinkzd]

Have you checked local garden stores for peat? Its labeled as sphagnum moss, just be sure to get the kind with no additives.

 

[Rbishop]

Large chunks of Mopani will help also.