HotTunaCartel

Just took some pics for another thread this morning but they are relevant to this. I use Indian almond leaves, oak leaves and alder cones. Also, I've noticed that most of my "drift wood" tends to be tree roots from fallen trees. I dig them up get all the rot off and dry them over several weeks. They tend to really add lots of tannins to the water. I've used peat moss pellets in my hobs in the past but I didn't like how it made the water a bit hazy.

I'm so jealous of the wild alder cones by you. Really tints the water beautifully.

Oak leaves are awesome for blackwater. I'm still waiting a few weeks until the leaves really get crispy here. They do tend to come apart easier than the thicker indian almond leaves but I like the look as they decompose in the tank. I think these are from the spring before we got heavy rains. Living in the woods is great for me as I love natural looking aquariums.

Totally forgot I had a photo of when I had to remove tannins from a tank. you can pretty much clear up a blackwater tank in about 24 hours with purigen The bag on the left was one of two bags I had used and was the second bag after 24hrs, the bag on the right was recharging and almost recharged.

Thanks! I did a water change today so its looking a bit weak but the tree root i'm using really helps with the stain.

I'm sure you're a fine fish keeper :) I just love my tidals

Thanks so much. They have been doing it since I got them but tonight they were going wild, they took a break for 20 mins and have been back at it for the last hour.

Anyone else have harleyquin rasporas that go nuts playing in the flow of a filter for hours per day? Would love to get some video but when I come up to the tank they go back to schooling. Might put a gopro in there tomorrow and just let it run for some video. Edit: was able to get a video from a distance

excellent thank you!

Got a question for you. I have one blackwater and one whitewater. Is it possible to have a lush planted blackwater tank with a low (12") tank? Using fluval 3.0 in both tanks.

excellent choice :) even the nano in my 20 long provides good circulation on the other side of my hob also, if you don't have an air pump, the mini silicone air pumps are great and provide plenty of flow for any of their sponge filters and are absolutely quiet.

It should, if the power goes it will loose the time and I think it reverts back to moonlight mode

I've had the usb air pump for a few months I think. Running it 24/7 and it is quieter than anything I've had and its just sitting on the side of the tank on the tables. Not sure on longevity of it but I can say it definitely puts out a good amount of air. I'm only comparing it to an active aqua single gang air pump with adjustable air flow. They both seem to put out the same amount (visually at least) As for the powerhead, I just got that earlier this week and yes it is a bit strong for my 44g lowboy but I have now put it on a timer and drilled a 1/4" hole in the side of the uplift tube and ran the airline down into the sponge filter. So times when the powerhead is off the sponge filter still works fine. I only put the powerhead on a timer to stir the tank up a few times a day.

They def make maintenance easier for me

Thanks! I was thinking that at one point but decided to just go standard. But.... considering how easy it was to build it certainly wont be my last lowboy :)

sorry forgot to add that, no carbon in either hob just filter foam and bio rings. It's really really weird. Edit: I'm wondering if its the eco complete that I have mixed with the stratum, I do see that eco complete is volcanic based.

Thank you. Funny thing, for the life of me I can't tint the lowboy. Added all the goodies and it stays clean lol. Might use some oolong tea to stain it for the time being. Honestly I have fell in love with Harlequin rasboras so I would really like to just do a tank full of them. Its really cool seeing them play in the flow from the filter in the 20 long

I've been out of the hobby about 7 years after we lost our elderly Oscars. Down into the basement went the tanks. About 8 months ago we decided to bring up one of the tanks and got a 20 long and started our first blackwater tank which I am in love with. In the meantime I did a lot of research on building tanks and finished a custom 44g lowboy last month and has been running for about three weeks. I think the blackwater has really got us back into the hobby as for me, the look is very natural and I'm loving it!