My tap water is quite hard... probably better described as concrete 😂 I've got into Blackwater aquariums now: I've created a new one and converted another one... They both look lovely (as do the fish - X-ray tetra and Snakeskin barbs definitely look better in that tinted water) and I have not seen any real measurable difference in my pH values yet. I will be interested to see if there are any larger changes, should the water actually soften because of the large amounts of botanicals and wood..?
In theory yes more botanicals/wood the more the PH will reduce but the harder the water in my experience slows down the drop in PH so you might noticed dramatic drops in the levels quickly it will take a lot longer but best to monitor and go slow just to be safe. Hope you are enjoying setting up these types of aquariums!
I like a lot the black water tanks.. but, I found that my discus.. despite are wild discus don't like black water. With black water start to hide and avoid food while with cristal water are more friendly
Terrific overview! Especially the bit about family members making negative comments because the tank looks "dirty." I'm glad I subscribed to your channel. And thank you for visiting my fish room and channel, where I currently do not feature blackwater tanks :)
good overview, But it's different from the way I use botanical for aquarium I use dry compost whose decay process has been completed on the compost media, not directly throwing it into the tank but I put it into the bottom of the tank then I cover it with volcanic sand, odorless water because the decomposition process has been completed when processed in the composter bin. you can see my mini pond aquascape video short, In my pond there is a lot of compost that I use from food waste and botanicals th-cam.com/users/shorts_6hNtZKZSbA Sometimes I use a plastic cup to put compost and I cover it with volcanic sand, then I put the compost plastic cup in the filter media in my pond and someday I can replace the new compost media by taking several cups of compost plastic and replacing it with new compost.
Really enjoy your videos wish more people would do blackwater all my fish do great in it and I think thay look better than the very clear brightly lit planted ones
Thanks mate. Really appreciate the kind words and yes completely agree. It's such a shock the majority of people don't setup their aquariums to the habitats they are found in.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Black Water Aquariums. I have a Betta and want to give him a much more of a natural experience. You did a wonderful video answering some of my questions. As newbie, I was alarmed of the Biofilm and since learned like you said not to worry. Regarding Bettas. I recently learned that Bigger is not better regarding tank size. Having a tall tank is too stressful for them, especially since they are air-breathers, as are Cory Cats... and a few other fish. So, can see me eventually getting a longer low tank for my Betta. So, he will not be moving into this 55G 21" H tank. I will keep it a Community Tank. I will be freeing up a standard 10G tank that I do not have to fill completely and create a Biotope for the Betta.
My tap water is quite hard... probably better described as concrete 😂
I've got into Blackwater aquariums now: I've created a new one and converted another one... They both look lovely (as do the fish - X-ray tetra and Snakeskin barbs definitely look better in that tinted water) and I have not seen any real measurable difference in my pH values yet. I will be interested to see if there are any larger changes, should the water actually soften because of the large amounts of botanicals and wood..?
In theory yes more botanicals/wood the more the PH will reduce but the harder the water in my experience slows down the drop in PH so you might noticed dramatic drops in the levels quickly it will take a lot longer but best to monitor and go slow just to be safe. Hope you are enjoying setting up these types of aquariums!
I like a lot the black water tanks.. but, I found that my discus.. despite are wild discus don't like black water. With black water start to hide and avoid food while with cristal water are more friendly
Terrific overview! Especially the bit about family members making negative comments because the tank looks "dirty." I'm glad I subscribed to your channel. And thank you for visiting my fish room and channel, where I currently do not feature blackwater tanks :)
good overview, But it's different from the way I use botanical for aquarium I use dry compost whose decay process has been completed on the compost media, not directly throwing it into the tank but I put it into the bottom of the tank then I cover it with volcanic sand, odorless water because the decomposition process has been completed when processed in the composter bin. you can see my mini pond aquascape video short, In my pond there is a lot of compost that I use from food waste and botanicals th-cam.com/users/shorts_6hNtZKZSbA
Sometimes I use a plastic cup to put compost and I cover it with volcanic sand, then I put the compost plastic cup in the filter media in my pond and someday I can replace the new compost media by taking several cups of compost plastic and replacing it with new compost.
I would add increasing phosphates due organic stuff decay, that can change Redfield ratio, creating enviroment for cyanobacteria bloom
the only neqative Ive found is botanicals provide an all you can eat for snails , and make it more difficult to control numbers
If you can get your hands on japanese trapdoor snails they eat algae and detritus without harming living plants
Really enjoy your videos wish more people would do blackwater all my fish do great in it and I think thay look better than the very clear brightly lit planted ones
Thanks mate. Really appreciate the kind words and yes completely agree. It's such a shock the majority of people don't setup their aquariums to the habitats they are found in.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Black Water Aquariums. I have a Betta and want to give him a much more of a natural experience. You did a wonderful video answering some of my questions. As newbie, I was alarmed of the Biofilm and since learned like you said not to worry.
Regarding Bettas. I recently learned that Bigger is not better regarding tank size. Having a tall tank is too stressful for them, especially since they are air-breathers, as are Cory Cats... and a few other fish. So, can see me eventually getting a longer low tank for my Betta. So, he will not be moving into this 55G 21" H tank. I will keep it a Community Tank. I will be freeing up a standard 10G tank that I do not have to fill completely and create a Biotope for the Betta.
Hi this was so usefull pls make more videos about things like this😁
Thanks, really appreciate it. Will do. If you have any suggestions in the meantime let me know 😉