Going to the Darkside...

[Second Hand Pat]

My altums have given me the confidence to try true blackwater conditions with my wild discus. The altums are currently in a 75 with mostly RO water with a dash of tap. The target TDS is about 25. IALs and rooibos tea is added to help soften the water, lower the ph and strain the water. The altums get a 50% WC every other day or third day.

I will use similar techniques with the wild discus but will target a TDS of about 40. I am already lowing the TDS in the 240 and it is currently in the 50s. I hope this is not only helps to induce spawning activity but help show the fish at their best color.

I also plan to add some LEDs from buildmyled to create spotlights in the tank to simulate areas where the sunlight enters the water as well as shadowed areas. Should be a fun adventure.

[discuspaul]

Sounds like a very interesting project, Pat. I'll certainly want to follow the progress and developments.

[YSS]

I'm living vicariously through you, Pat.

[musicmarn1]

I'm living vicariously through you, Pat.

lol me too! lucky wilds Pat

[Second Hand Pat]

Sounds like a very interesting project, Pat. I'll certainly want to follow the progress and developments.

Paul, you can already follow the progress of the altums as that thread gets weekly updates. I will admit the only thing I have measured is the TDS so no clue as to the other parameters.

I'm living vicariously through you, Pat.

Thanks Yun

lol me too! lucky wilds Pat

Thanks Marnie...guessing you will want measurements vs the fish are happy so carry on.

[Ardan]

Pat
I bet that will look really cool! I look forward to pics of that.

Ardan

[Second Hand Pat]

Pat
I bet that will look really cool! I look forward to pics of that.

Ardan

I hope so Ardan, I personally think many people are turned off by black-water effects but with proper lighting it can become rather magical.

[YSS]

I saw some very cool looking black water tanks on Youtube while ago. There are a ton out there.

[Second Hand Pat]

I saw some very cool looking black water tanks on Youtube while ago. There are a ton out there.

I have been checking out YouTube also Yun for ideas.

[Discus-n00b]

Really looking forward to this Pat.

[Altum Nut]

Go for it Pat.
I did it with my Altums back in 2006 with Canadian Sphagnum peat moss and Alder Cones and they could not be happier in those conditions. However never got a chance to check the TDS.
Back then Pat...I was on Finarama every day with Ed and the boys.

...Ralph

[Second Hand Pat]

Go for it Pat.
I did it with my Altums back in 2006 with Canadian Sphagnum peat moss and Alder Cones and they could not be happier in those conditions. However never got a chance to check the TDS.
Back then Pat...I was on Finarama every day with Ed and the boys.

...Ralph

Thanks Ralph, I am over there now, Ed is helping me with my altums.
Pat

[Second Hand Pat]

So I have a cubic yard of Canadian peat in my tack room. It is very fine. I read somewhere on the forum about putting peat in hose (believe John N. suggested that). So, what the heck I decided to try it but expecting it to fail due to the fineness of the peat.

I cut the hose high up on the leg after ensuring there were no holes in the hose and filled the leg loosely with peat. I knotted the open end and decide to take a garden hose to it. Sure enough a fair amount of dark powder washed out. After a few minutes of rinsing I reduced the spray to a gentle setting and hmmm, the water coming out of the panty hose came clear. So I am thinking about trying it on the sump where I clip the two ends of the hose to the walls of the sump and allow the water to flow through the hose.

[Altum Nut]

I think water needs to be absorbed into the peat which will let off the tannins just like Malaysian driftwood if kept a tank for a period of time.
All I did is fill/packed a fair sized pantyhose portion tied off with peat and placed in the bottom of a 65 gallon tote and placed a piece of slate rock to hold it down because it will float. Fill with water and placed a air stone. Within a 3 day period...I had some nice dark tea tannin water I would mix in during my w/c. I would only change sock with peat when tannins become lighter in color.
I think Pat it will work in you sump with given time.

...Ralph

[Second Hand Pat]

Yes Ralph, like IALs and will allow the ph to drift down over time. I will use Rooibos tea for the blackwater effect which will be almost immediate. The tea also makes the tank smell good.
Pat