First of all, congratulations on your channel, each video is very informative. A question: I have had a blackwater for about a year, everything is fine but over time (years) could the leaves that decompose be a problem? Should I siphon the bottom and remove the mush that is being created? Thanks
Thank you:) I'm glad that you found the videos useful. I probably would not recommend siphoning the decaying leaf litter as it can upset the balance in your system and will also remove a lot of beneficial bacteria dwelling on that mush. In my case, decaying leaf litter eventually gets sucked in my external filter or settles on sponge filter. I also keep corydoras catfish and they constantly stir the leaf litter, so there is never an actual deep accumulation of mush. The underlay of decomposing leaf litter is a perfect infusoria breeding place that supports corydoras and characins fry. I've raised generations of pencilfish just on what's in leaf litter, so I'm always in favour of keeping it intact.
Hey brother, thanks again for this video. I watch it over and over because I learn something new almost every time. My question is what are ideal plecos, and corydoras for blackwater? Another question is what is ideal biotope style tank for wild discus and altum angelfish when you want to keep some plants in the tank, but still look natural?
Thanks for watching it:) I really appreciate. Most panaqulos (flash plecos) are from blackwater. If you want to go 'monster', panaques/Royal plecos and L600 leopard cactus are also from blackwater. Its more challenging with corydoras, I know that H.adolfoi/duplicareus/concolor are from blackwater. Talking about discus/Altums, to be honest they don't live in habitats with aquatic plants in the wild. People keep them in planted tanks with no problems, but if you want to go biotope route then lots of driftwood roots, white sand, leaf litter and floating plants (like salvinia/amazon frogbit) would look awesome
Thank you, it was very informative. You’ve seen my Panda Uaru tank. It is my first Black Water tank. The only reason why I started a Black Water tank is because most of my research on caring for Panda Uaru expressed that they prefer soft acidic black water. Do yo agree with that? Also you expressed that maybe my pandas would color up better if I chang the color of the substrate. Will changing out the sand disturb my nitrogen cycle? I don’t have a thorough grasp on the difference between regular nitrogen cycle versus a sub 6.0 ph nitrogen cycle. Also which loach species, and pleco species would you suggest, because I have been considering putting my sunshine pleco in there or maybe a royal pleco. I currently have a super red bristlenose pleco in there, but he and the pandas eat all of the catalpa leaves. Thank you for any info you can share.
Thank you for the comment! I have read about Uarus, and panda Uaru in particular, that they hail from soft acidic blackwaters of Atabapo/Orinoco, which are also Altum angels' habitats. Substrate in those places is white silica sand, so I'm sure that over white sand your Uarus should lighten up. I don't think changing substrate will affect nitrogen cycle; I noticed that you have sponge filters and driftwood there, and they host tons of bacteria which will keep your parameters stable even if substrate is replaced. I'm not a big fan of keeping loaches with cichlids, as I know some of them like to snack on eye balls of larger fish. I think sunshine pleco will thrive with Uarus, but a royal pleco (Panaque) will most likely create havoc thawing off wood and leaf litter and adding a lot to the bioload. You can try using Jackfruit leaves instead of Catappa as they are tougher and last longer. These days I only use Catappa for quarantine and I use as leaf litter Jackfruit leaves mixed oak leaves. Catappas tend to last a week or so in my tanks before decomposing, but Jackfruit leaves last for months.
Sparkling gouramis will thrive in blackwater like many other labyrinth fish species. Most snails will do fine, but if your water is too acidic they may have problems with their shells; in some of my extreme acidity tanks, I've seen snails lose their shells, but still apparently living and thriving
Whats ur opinion in predator fish in blackwater? Specifically Aimara, Jardini Arowana and piranhas? Do u think they will gain benefit from it?Thank U in advance
I think they would enjoy it, but I'm guessing Aimara might blend in as they can get darker. I've seen red belly piranhas kept in black water and they look amazing with all the shimmer on their sides
Is it true If the pH is less than 6 nitrifying bacteria will not survive? So we might face a nitrite issue. What should we do? Apart from slowly increasing pH any other suggestions. Thanks
Nitrifying bacteria will be alive but less active and efficient. However you not likely to have nitrite spike as ammonia turns into less toxic ammonium so there are less nitrites produced
@@tropicalfishhub Thank You so much for quick reply. Apart from peat moss what other natural things that we can use in order to lower the pH less than 6 (5.5 - 6). Indian armond leaves are OK but it takes much more time. Looking for a quick (within 2/3 days) less toxic but reliable way. Thank You.
@@indikasilva7177 In a smaller tank, cariniana pods can help increase acidity and soften water. My tap water is super soft and acidic, so I've never tried to lower pH:)
Tôi có chiếc bể nước đen thể tích 800ml được chiếc xuất từ lá capalta . Hiện tại tôi đang giữ 20 Rummynose Tetra , 30 NeonTetra, 5 angel fish wild. Tôi có thể thêm discus wild vào bể của mình được không? Tôi không quan tâm đến màu sắc của chúng lắm.
video grapher fails....shud always keep the aquarium in view more than speaker..... becos we can hear him without seeing him in full view....but we get frustrated when we try to listen and look at the tank to see what he is talking about...
@@tropicalfishhub thank you I've got a problem now I recently got a betta, 4 harlequins , and 8 cardinal tetra and a golden algae eater fish in a 15 g tank, but the golden algae eater is chasing and nipping my harlequin rasboras what do I do ? I tried feeding them but he just not stops chasing my rasboras TT~TT for now I have separated it
@@sanjanrkashyap8889 That golden algae eater is likely a Chinese algae eater and it can grow large and also quite aggressive. Good idea removing it as it can also attack your betta
I'm new to your channel - thank you for all the great information. I look forward to learning a lot from your videos!
Thank you for subscribing!
excellent and helpful presentation on black water fish tank! Thank you!
Apistogramma are absolutely beautiful in a black water set up as well 😍😍
First of all, congratulations on your channel, each video is very informative.
A question: I have had a blackwater for about a year, everything is fine but over time (years) could the leaves that decompose be a problem? Should I siphon the bottom and remove the mush that is being created? Thanks
Thank you:) I'm glad that you found the videos useful. I probably would not recommend siphoning the decaying leaf litter as it can upset the balance in your system and will also remove a lot of beneficial bacteria dwelling on that mush. In my case, decaying leaf litter eventually gets sucked in my external filter or settles on sponge filter. I also keep corydoras catfish and they constantly stir the leaf litter, so there is never an actual deep accumulation of mush. The underlay of decomposing leaf litter is a perfect infusoria breeding place that supports corydoras and characins fry. I've raised generations of pencilfish just on what's in leaf litter, so I'm always in favour of keeping it intact.
@@tropicalfishhub Thank you so much, you're very kind!
Hey brother, thanks again for this video. I watch it over and over because I learn something new almost every time. My question is what are ideal plecos, and corydoras for blackwater? Another question is what is ideal biotope style tank for wild discus and altum angelfish when you want to keep some plants in the tank, but still look natural?
Thanks for watching it:) I really appreciate. Most panaqulos (flash plecos) are from blackwater. If you want to go 'monster', panaques/Royal plecos and L600 leopard cactus are also from blackwater. Its more challenging with corydoras, I know that H.adolfoi/duplicareus/concolor are from blackwater. Talking about discus/Altums, to be honest they don't live in habitats with aquatic plants in the wild. People keep them in planted tanks with no problems, but if you want to go biotope route then lots of driftwood roots, white sand, leaf litter and floating plants (like salvinia/amazon frogbit) would look awesome
@@tropicalfishhub thanks
excellent video!
Fantastic video I love what you do 💯
Thank you!
Very enlightening 👍
Thank you, it was very informative. You’ve seen my Panda Uaru tank. It is my first Black Water tank. The only reason why I started a Black Water tank is because most of my research on caring for Panda Uaru expressed that they prefer soft acidic black water. Do yo agree with that? Also you expressed that maybe my pandas would color up better if I chang the color of the substrate. Will changing out the sand disturb my nitrogen cycle? I don’t have a thorough grasp on the difference between regular nitrogen cycle versus a sub 6.0 ph nitrogen cycle. Also which loach species, and pleco species would you suggest, because I have been considering putting my sunshine pleco in there or maybe a royal pleco. I currently have a super red bristlenose pleco in there, but he and the pandas eat all of the catalpa leaves. Thank you for any info you can share.
Thank you for the comment! I have read about Uarus, and panda Uaru in particular, that they hail from soft acidic blackwaters of Atabapo/Orinoco, which are also Altum angels' habitats. Substrate in those places is white silica sand, so I'm sure that over white sand your Uarus should lighten up. I don't think changing substrate will affect nitrogen cycle; I noticed that you have sponge filters and driftwood there, and they host tons of bacteria which will keep your parameters stable even if substrate is replaced. I'm not a big fan of keeping loaches with cichlids, as I know some of them like to snack on eye balls of larger fish. I think sunshine pleco will thrive with Uarus, but a royal pleco (Panaque) will most likely create havoc thawing off wood and leaf litter and adding a lot to the bioload. You can try using Jackfruit leaves instead of Catappa as they are tougher and last longer. These days I only use Catappa for quarantine and I use as leaf litter Jackfruit leaves mixed oak leaves. Catappas tend to last a week or so in my tanks before decomposing, but Jackfruit leaves last for months.
@@tropicalfishhub thank you for your response.
And sparkling gouramis - research says yes but I’d rather from someone whose experienced. Are there snails that ok?
Sparkling gouramis will thrive in blackwater like many other labyrinth fish species. Most snails will do fine, but if your water is too acidic they may have problems with their shells; in some of my extreme acidity tanks, I've seen snails lose their shells, but still apparently living and thriving
Bravo from Romania
Whats ur opinion in predator fish in blackwater? Specifically Aimara, Jardini Arowana and piranhas? Do u think they will gain benefit from it?Thank U in advance
I think they would enjoy it, but I'm guessing Aimara might blend in as they can get darker. I've seen red belly piranhas kept in black water and they look amazing with all the shimmer on their sides
Do you think diamond tetra would stand out in blackwater?
Diamond tetras are excellent choices for blackwater! They are originally from blackwaters of Orinoco river
I have a 50 gal frag tank that's a blackwater stream setup with moderate flow
Is it true If the pH is less than 6 nitrifying bacteria will not survive? So we might face a nitrite issue. What should we do? Apart from slowly increasing pH any other suggestions. Thanks
Nitrifying bacteria will be alive but less active and efficient. However you not likely to have nitrite spike as ammonia turns into less toxic ammonium so there are less nitrites produced
@@tropicalfishhub Thank You so much for quick reply. Apart from peat moss what other natural things that we can use in order to lower the pH less than 6 (5.5 - 6). Indian armond leaves are OK but it takes much more time. Looking for a quick (within 2/3 days) less toxic but reliable way. Thank You.
@@indikasilva7177 In a smaller tank, cariniana pods can help increase acidity and soften water. My tap water is super soft and acidic, so I've never tried to lower pH:)
Friend 😉👍🏻
Thank you!
But how do I clean such a tank?
There will be many dirt on the floor. I am concerned about the hygiene.
you can use a sponge filter with coarse sponge or canister with sponges only.
I have a community blackwater 1betta 11neon tetra's and 3cherry shrimp brown
Tôi có chiếc bể nước đen thể tích 800ml được chiếc xuất từ lá capalta . Hiện tại tôi đang giữ 20 Rummynose Tetra , 30 NeonTetra, 5 angel fish wild. Tôi có thể thêm discus wild vào bể của mình được không? Tôi không quan tâm đến màu sắc của chúng lắm.
Is the discus ideal in black water ?
They will enjoy black water, but they may get darker in it, so you may not be able to see them as well
Great video. I'm curious about how you achieve sufficient filtration without any flow?
Plants are doing most of nitrification
Will rasboras do ok?
Neons…
Both neons and rasboras are great choices for blackwater
video grapher fails....shud always keep the aquarium in view more than speaker..... becos we can hear him without seeing him in full view....but we get frustrated when we try to listen and look at the tank to see what he is talking about...
What about betta ?
Betta too of course just like most other south east Asian fish
@@tropicalfishhub thank you I've got a problem now I recently got a betta, 4 harlequins , and 8 cardinal tetra and a golden algae eater fish in a 15 g tank, but the golden algae eater is chasing and nipping my harlequin rasboras what do I do ? I tried feeding them but he just not stops chasing my rasboras TT~TT for now I have separated it
@@tropicalfishhub and you've got yourself a sub
@@sanjanrkashyap8889 That golden algae eater is likely a Chinese algae eater and it can grow large and also quite aggressive. Good idea removing it as it can also attack your betta
done thanks@@tropicalfishhub