Tannins

[brewmaster15]

Hi all,
Tannins are one of the materials that makes "blackwater" that blackish tea color. Its been hyped in commercial products like Tetra blackwater extract as beneficial to fish Like Discus. Its also what naturally leaches out of driftwood.

Tannins have been scientifically shown to inhibit pathogenic bacteria.

I know many use Peat moss to soften their water and it imparts Tannins to the water. Some swear by using Tea (it also reportedly aids in spawning). I have used peat moss, Oak leaves ... and I am trying a few other things that are high in tannins.

If you use something to add tannins to your water, what do you use. I am also particularly interested in the use of Tea with Discus...what kind of tea..how much etc?

Thanks,
al

[Marian]

LIPTON tea infusion

[brewmaster15]

Hi Marian,
DEcaf? :) seriously how much tea per how much water? and do you use it on the fish or just pairs?

thanks,
al

[Marian]

one spigot (250)g with hot water and one small bag of tea.I put every 1 week

[Larry Grenier]

Marian,

Do you do this specifically to prepare fis for or to induce spawning? Does is seem to make a real impact?

Al,

Interested to hear more about using tea. This pic shows how I prepare my water.

[Marian]

Well , tea is an suppliant for turba(I do not know how you sayng) And in the same time it is very good for fishes whom like it ''black'' water.Before spawing I put one and a half spigot at 20l (5,5g)water.Any questions?BDW I have to go home here is 18:00

[brewmaster15]

Hi Marian,
I'm sorry here, but having a little trouble with the term "spigot" can you explain it more?

Thanks,


larry, email me the pic and I'll see whats up...should be no problem with the post.

-al

[Marian]

''Spigot '' I find in dictionary it is a cup of tea but a litle bit biger about 250g

[Jason]

I've tried a few "tea" concoctions and the results I got we're not the same as plain peat.

I've tried oak leaves and a few others, havent tried ketapang yet, but will someday.

For re-mixing ro water I feel peat or even rainwater is a must, IME ro strips too much away from the water, re-constituting it with plain tap or minerals is not the same, it seems to leave the water very stale and sterile.

I feel using peat adds "life" back to the water, I use canadian peat in my holding barrels and euro "black" peat in the sump of my breeder central.

If I use just straight tap or recon ro I have alot of problems with fry not attaching and die-off, there is alot more to a drop of water than just h20 and minerals.

[CliffsDiscus]

Hi Al,
You might want to check out some of those Chinese
Herb stores. In fact the Melafix smells similar to a
Chinese herb that has been in use for many years.

Cliff

[lesley]

Hello Jason,

was interested to hear to your reference to Euro black peat.
Here in Oz I can't get the Canadian peat that appears to be "magic" (been reading Smokey's posts). I am wondering if the Euro peat is similar to what I get here - powdery? I tried using it and found that it went everywhere. How do you have it in your filter without washing through and coating everything?

Thanks,
Lesley

Hi, Folks:


Peat granules in a stocking bag and into the filter bed of the AC500. Use it for a few hours and then remove it. It has a lasting effect until you see the tea color water become clear. In regards to inhibiting micro-pests, yep! It's a repellant. Try it on mosquitos. Make a cup of it and leave the granules in the cup of water.

Another option is the 100% Tea Tree Oil (natural antiseptic). Same repellent effect and more. ;)

**Angie**

[Steve_Warner]

Hi all,
Al, I used to have a link to a good article about tannins, but it doesn't work anymore. It basically went over the chemical structure of the molecules and what effects they had on water quality, organisms, etc. Here's another good site link with some articles that you might find some info. I found this site while doing some research about the Rio Negro recently. This is the site where I contacted Dr. W.J. Junk about his research of the Amazon.

http://www.mpil-ploen.mpg.de/mpiltj.htm#content


Enjoy!

Steve

[jules]

Does anyone use Canadian Peat in a nylon stocking in their AQ?

[DarkDiscus]

I had been keeping canadian peat in an internal filter in my 65 gallon water storage tank. I changed the peat once per week. It seemed to have a very stimulating effect on a wild pair I have - they spawned every week for 5 months. Since I am moving I stopped the peat and since then no more spawning - of course I added another discus pair to their 45 gallon tank also...

But I liked putting the peat in the storage tank - it allowed me to maintain parameters best.

John

[Rod]

Hi Lesley,

Canadian peat is available here in OZ, i use Sunshine brand Canadian peat which i purchaced through a wholesale nursery supplies. Most of the garden centres don't carry it but if you asked a very knowledgeable nurseryman especially an orchid specialist, they should be able to source it for you.

If you still have trouble getting it locally let me know and i can send you a bale of it.

Rod

[lesley]

Thanks Rod,

Will hunt around here a bit and contact you for help if need be, once again, thanks for your help

Lesley