k9outfit Posted April 8, 2006 Report Share Posted April 8, 2006 Just curious how to clear up water discoloured from using peat & having wood in the tanks. If activated carbon isn't such a good idea, or if it would have to keep being changed every couple of weeks (which could prove prohibitive if using a quality product), what's the best way to keep the water from resembling oversteeped black tea? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted April 8, 2006 Report Share Posted April 8, 2006 Just curious how to clear up water discoloured from using peat & having wood in the tanks. If activated carbon isn't such a good idea, or if it would have to keep being changed every couple of weeks (which could prove prohibitive if using a quality product), what's the best way to keep the water from resembling oversteeped black tea? Quit using peat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatpuffer Posted April 8, 2006 Report Share Posted April 8, 2006 Do a 50 percent water change, use AC until it is clear again. and as kevin said remove the peat. Js Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted April 8, 2006 Report Share Posted April 8, 2006 GAC will remove the color, and the tannins, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAlberta Posted April 9, 2006 Report Share Posted April 9, 2006 What is GAC??? Dave GAC will remove the color, and the tannins, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k9outfit Posted April 9, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2006 (edited) OK, quit using peat.... So, next question is, how do I go about keeping the pH at around 6.5, with regular water changes with very soft water for breeding SA cichlids, without adding tons of buffer, pH down, removing tannins which are crucial, etc., etc., risking a pH crash....? Forgot to add: without breaking the bank buying bottled RO water.... Edited April 9, 2006 by k9outfit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neatfreak Posted April 9, 2006 Report Share Posted April 9, 2006 I have drift wood[soaked first] and peat. the color is an off tea. the fish love it and thrive. I learned to like it,after all the colors in my fish come out,with it in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k9outfit Posted April 9, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2006 Thanks for your answer, neatfreak! So, basically I might as well learn to like it? I have mopani & grapevine in the tank at the moment instead of driftwood; bad choice? Also, what colour spectrum (for lighting) would you suggest would work best in bringing out the colours through the tea water? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windeindoiel Posted April 9, 2006 Report Share Posted April 9, 2006 Lol this is kind of funny, because I tried my best to increase the tanins in one of my tanks, I think it looks more natural and adds to the overall look of the tank. I really like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mighty Prawn Posted April 9, 2006 Report Share Posted April 9, 2006 I like it, too, in some tanks. Depends on the fish, I guess. I think it would increase the security feeling of some shy fish, too, so that could be a benefit. -Hideo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k9outfit Posted April 9, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2006 I don't mind SOME discolouration, but it was so soupy that I could barely make out the fish! That bad, with water changes done every second day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nandopsis Posted April 9, 2006 Report Share Posted April 9, 2006 I use 6500k day light bulbs and if you want a more clear look to the water. Try adding a actinic bulb in with the 6500k. What size of tank are we talking about here? I might have a t5 bulb laying around for you to try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted April 9, 2006 Report Share Posted April 9, 2006 I'm not sure what your tap water is like where you live, but I'd say your best bet is to just remove the deep coloration thru regular WCs. Eventually, the wood in your tank (which is probably the main source of the coloration) will reduce the amount it leaches. The only way I know how to speed up this process is to boil, reboil and boil again, replacing the water each time. Then, once it cools, it should leach way less. BTW, GAC = Granular Activated Carbon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k9outfit Posted April 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2006 to speed up this process is to boil, reboil and boil again Thanks for the suggestion. I had boiled the wood before, just not numerous times. I'll give it another go. Oh; and we have regular city water which we have hauled; same stuff you guys use.... Just mega more $$$$ I use 6500k day light bulbs and if you want a more clear look to the water. Try adding a actinic bulb in with the 6500k. I'll go looking for the 6500k bulb, and I do have a couple of small actinic ones lying around that I could try. Thanks for the input and offer :thumbs: ! It'll ultimately be for a 230 gallon, though the fish are in a 33 long at the moment, to be transfered to a 55 or so by the end of the week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kim Posted April 12, 2006 Report Share Posted April 12, 2006 You can always try Seachem Purigen. It is like carbon but a different product all together. Works 5X faster and better and is rechargable by soaking in bleach (then aquaplus of course). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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