How To Create Blackwater For Your Tank
- Nov 13, 2021
- Rita
- 624 0 0
Do you like the look of tanks with dark, stained water in them? These are referred to as blackwater aquariums. There are some species of fish that prefer this kind of water in their tanks. In this article, we’ll look into how to create your own blackwater tanks and give you an idea of which fish you can safely keep in these conditions.
Let’s get started.
What Is Blackwater And How Is It Created In Nature
Blackwater is water that is stained a yellowish-orange to brown color. If you scoop it up into a clear cup, it will resemble tea. This type of water occurs naturally in environments with a lot of plant life and hummus next to the streams.
The yellowish-orange stain is created by tannins in the water. The tannins come from rotting plant material such as leaf litter, seeds, and wood that fell into the river at some point. This water is usually highly acidic due to the amount of plant material in the water.
How To Create Fish Safe Blackwater For Your Tank
To replicate these conditions in your tank, you will need to create a tank with very few minerals and a lot of driftwood and plant life in it. Make sure the plants you choose can adapt to these darker conditions created by the stained water.
To actually stain the water, you will need to add leaf litter and other plant materials to your tank. Don’t just add anything, however. Some kinds of plants aren’t fish safe and you may introduce dangerous pests and diseases into your tank.
If you’re considering a blackwater tank, make sure to get the proper materials from a pet shop. It’s really quite simple. All you’ll need is some driftwood that didn’t have all the tannins boiled out of it, alder cones, or some dried almond or oak leaves. There are more options out there, so don’t worry if you can’t find the exact ones mentioned here.
The driftwood can be used as part of the decor in your tank. As it rots, it will release tannins into the water creating a natural stain. Keep in mind that this will also affect the pH of your water.
The alder cones and leaves will do the same thing. You can remove them if your water is sufficiently stained making it easier to control how stained the tank becomes. If the water becomes too dark, you can simply do a water change to remove some of the tannins.
By Ewkaa - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7891745
Fish Species For Blackwater Tanks
Due to the acidity of the water, not all fish are happy in blackwater tanks. You will need to find species that naturally occur in blackwater habitats for the best results. Fortunately, this is not difficult. Here are a few fish species you can consider for your blackwater setup:
- Discus
- Angelfish
- Some Tetras
- Bettas
- Some Cichlids
- Loaches
- Hatchetfish
- Corydoras
- Barbs
- Danios
- Gourami
- Rasboras
- Dwarf Puffer Fish
- Other fish species
These are, of course, not the only fish out there that like blackwater aquariums. You can do a little research in your area to find more options like the Red-Tailed Shark for instance.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know a little about creating blackwater for your tank, it’s time to go buy everything you’ll need. Just remember to make sure the tannins come from fish safe sources. Don’t just use any plant material from your back garden.
Once you’re ready, add the fish you like and watch your tank turn into a blackwater paradise.
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