Taco Playz Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 A while ago I made a post about breeding fish in a ten gallon. I wanted to do rams or kribs. I set up the tank and it's been running for about 2 weeks now. I got some oak leaves, boiled them, and put them at the bottom of my tank. The tank already is brown and from what I have heard normally tannins lower ph but my ph is 7.6- 8.0. The leaves have been in for about 5 days now. I wanted to breed golden rams but from what I have heard the like really low ph. Will the tannins bring down the ph or should I just pick a fish that likes high ph to breed. Thanks, sorry if this is a bit confusing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guppysnail Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 (edited) I can stuff my tank with almond leaves. Because I have hard water high kh there is no discernible able affect on my ph. It stays 7.4-7.6 which matches my tap. It is easier especially when it comes to water changes to breed what likes your water. I’m too lazy to try to accommodate fish that won’t thrive in my water to be honest. There are a lot of folks on here that are successful doing it though. Edited December 17, 2021 by Guppysnail Typo as always 🤣 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taco Playz Posted December 17, 2021 Author Share Posted December 17, 2021 My ph in different tanks differs. For an example in my White Cloud tank the ph is 5.6. Then it goes to this tank which it is 8.0. Also I tested the Ammonia in the 10 gallon and the water turned out brown. I was thinking it was because of the tannins but I had no idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 It seems your ammonia is too high this is a problem I have to watch out for in my blackwater tanks. To breed blackwater fish, your best course of action would be to use RODI water, the RODI water I use has a pH of 6.0. Boiling Oak leaves may release the tannins sooner, but is unnecessary, just drop the leaves on top of the water and they will sink after a couple of days and release tannins. Since you know what an Oak tree looks like, go back and pick up some of the limbs that have fallen off of the tree, they don't have to be very thick, but they'll release tannins also and mine look better than any Mopani wood or Driftwood I have. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taco Playz Posted December 17, 2021 Author Share Posted December 17, 2021 On 12/17/2021 at 3:32 PM, Gator said: It seems your ammonia is too high this is a problem I have to watch out for in my blackwater tanks. To breed blackwater fish, your best course of action would be to use RODI water, the RODI water I use has a pH of 6.0. Boiling Oak leaves may release the tannins sooner, but is unnecessary, just drop the leaves on top of the water and they will sink after a couple of days and release tannins. Since you know what an Oak tree looks like, go back and pick up some of the limbs that have fallen off of the tree, they don't have to be very thick, but they'll release tannins also and mine look better than any Mopani wood or Driftwood I have. So brown water on the tester means high ammonia? It was darker earlier I tested about a hour ago. Now that I put it under the light it looks lighter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guppysnail Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 (edited) Mine are brown in tannin tanks unless held to a light then they look yellow. If there is no green you are ok. edit..the brown is the tannin overpowering the yellow Edited December 17, 2021 by Guppysnail 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taco Playz Posted December 18, 2021 Author Share Posted December 18, 2021 Ok thanks so much!! If I don't lower the ph what should I breed that likes high ph? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guppysnail Posted December 18, 2021 Share Posted December 18, 2021 Livebearers, rainbow fish are really cool. I recommend finding ones you are very attracted to. You will enjoy it more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torrey Posted December 18, 2021 Share Posted December 18, 2021 Any fish that is "flashy": has neon like bright colors or reflective silver, looks great in the dark tannin tanks. The endlers I have breeding look phenomenal as they disappear and reappear in the water. Livebearers, and many of the NANF (north American native fish) require harder water and stay a lot healthier with the tannins. TBH, there are more fish that thrive in harder, high/neutral pH than fish that need soft, low pH water. The problem is, the softwater neon tetras and discus are some of the most photographed, and people get hung up on wanting them... missing out on literally hundreds of other options. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torrey Posted December 18, 2021 Share Posted December 18, 2021 Here's a link to Cory's top 10 FAVORITE hard water, high pH, fish. Several are fairly easy to breed, and can help your hobby pay for itself. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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