Tannins?

[slicksta]

@ Pat.
Interesting thread. But from what I gathered the tea doesn't have the same tannin /pH affect as driftwood or peat.

@Tony
You may want to consider a sperate small canister if you don't want to put whatever you choose directly in the tank.
It needs to be replaced/maintained more often than the other media in your fx6's. Plus I wouldn't want to give up valuable media real estate in the fx6 that would better serve you as biological.

[LizStreithorst]

I have used driftwood and peat. I have used the tea. I have used the fluvic acid. All I know is that they all have the same affect on the fish and that's what matters.

[slicksta]

Yes momma, in that respect you are correct... But Tony's initial question brought up two concerns, tannins and cost.
With the amount of water changes we do I think it is hard to beat peat taking both into consideration.
But I'm glad to learn about the tea and fulvic myself as all knowledge is good and I like to have options ;-)

[Second Hand Pat]

@ Pat.
Interesting thread. But from what I gathered the tea doesn't have the same tannin /pH affect as driftwood or peat.

The tea will not affect the ph slicksta but it does strain the water nicely. I prefer to handle ph thru other means.
Pat

[slicksta]

Yes water chemistry is complicated and there is no one solution for all trying to achieve a desired outcome.
Not sure what affect the driftwood had with Tony's fish that he would like to duplicate at a lower cost but now he has 3 things he can start with.
I say our work is done ;-)

[gators111]

Since you are running canister filters, you could use peat put between 2 sponges in the center of one of the trays of the FX6. I did this for years in a Rena XP3 on a 55 gallon and it worked great. It lasted for a couple of months and then you just dump it out and rinse the sponges and put in some more. I would get a big bag of it at Lowes for about 10-12 bucks and it would last for a few years. Just keep an eye on your ph at first to see how much it goes down.

[LizStreithorst]

And if you are one who has to age their water, but some in a media bag in your water storage container as well.