carbon and blackwater

geekgirl · 02-09-2003, 05:24 PM

Will carbon remove that nice blackwater look I'm getting from my driftwood? what's the general opinion on using carbon or similar filtration on planted/fertilized tanks? Right now I'm just running sponge in my power filters. It works well, but I'm just curious.

Stacey

m.lemay · 02-09-2003, 06:50 PM

Unless you want to remove all the color and micro/trace nutrients from your tank, don't use carbon. There really is no need for carbon in a planted tank other than to remove organics and inorganic chemicals. The plants take care of that function for the most part.

**GulfCoastAquarian** · 02-10-2003, 02:20 PM

Best way to reduce the blackwater look you get from tannin emission from your driftwood is water changes. It also might help to take out the driftwood every 8-10 months and scrub them down. Generally, you don't want to run carbon in a planted tank, Like Marcel said, it will strip not only unwanted dissolved substances but also desireable nutrients and minerals.

geekgirl · 02-11-2003, 12:28 AM

actually, I like the blackwater look. It really enhances the coloration of the silver angels. I wasn't sure if using the carbon that came with my filters would take that color out. Decided to err on the side of caution, so I left it out. I also felt that carbon wasn't strictly necessary in a well cared for and balanced tank.

Now that I know there are *benefits* to leaving it out... well, thanks guys for the info.

Stacey

**Buck** · 02-11-2003, 01:49 AM

That is a very " natural " look to the water column and really does compliment fish color ... Im jealous ! :P

geekgirl · 02-11-2003, 07:50 PM

hey Buck, I'm jealous of your tanks. So crystal clear and great layouts. My (cycling) planted 55 is still kind of murky, and no fish yet, but plenty of african driftwood. No shortage of blackwater here

Seriously though, between your and Sam's (hi Sam!) plant diagrams on your websites, I've been able to round out my plans. I've emailed pics off both of your sites to my DH. I think it's reconciled him to all the $$ I've been spending, knowing the end result can be so attractive.

Stacey

Rex Grigg · 02-11-2003, 10:11 PM

Stacey,

If your 55 has a high plant load you may not see it cycle. When I was setting mu 55 up I just loaded it up with plants and turned on the lights. I was adding ferts within a week. The first fish (Ottos) went in after about three days. Within a couple of weeks I pretty much had the entire tank stocked. I have yet to see a trace of ammonia or nitrites in the tank.

**Buck** · 02-18-2003, 02:29 AM

Thankyou for the kind remarks Stacey...

Rex is right...get yourself some fast growing plants in that tank and you will be in business in no time.
If you are ever interested in clippings of my plants just shoot me an email and we'll see what I can do.

Now get planting ! :hehe:

02-09-2003, 05:24 PM	#1
geekgirl Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Aloha, OR Posts: 269	Will carbon remove that nice blackwater look I'm getting from my driftwood? what's the general opinion on using carbon or similar filtration on planted/fertilized tanks? Right now I'm just running sponge in my power filters. It works well, but I'm just curious. Stacey __________________ 55gal medium low tech planted 30 gal new high-tech planted. (we'll see how that goes. Heh.)

02-09-2003, 06:50 PM	#2
m.lemay Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (9/100%) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Naugatuck, CT. Posts: 2,647	Unless you want to remove all the color and micro/trace nutrients from your tank, don't use carbon. There really is no need for carbon in a planted tank other than to remove organics and inorganic chemicals. The plants take care of that function for the most part. __________________ FILSTAR Pimp #2 75 gal heavily planted,50/50 Black beauty,Eco-complete substrate, Pressurised CO2 with solenoid, ph controller, AB Reactor 1000, 330 watts 9325K GE PC lighting,Ehiem Liquidoser, 2-Filstar xp3 canisters.

02-10-2003, 02:20 PM	#3
GulfCoastAquarian Planted Tank VIP (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 3,577	Best way to reduce the blackwater look you get from tannin emission from your driftwood is water changes. It also might help to take out the driftwood every 8-10 months and scrub them down. Generally, you don't want to run carbon in a planted tank, Like Marcel said, it will strip not only unwanted dissolved substances but also desireable nutrients and minerals. __________________ - Sam P - plantedtanker in limbo - all tanks currently in storage

02-11-2003, 12:28 AM	#4
geekgirl Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Aloha, OR Posts: 269	actually, I like the blackwater look. It really enhances the coloration of the silver angels. I wasn't sure if using the carbon that came with my filters would take that color out. Decided to err on the side of caution, so I left it out. I also felt that carbon wasn't strictly necessary in a well cared for and balanced tank. Now that I know there are benefits to leaving it out... well, thanks guys for the info. Stacey __________________ 55gal medium low tech planted 30 gal new high-tech planted. (we'll see how that goes. Heh.)

02-11-2003, 01:49 AM	#5
Buck Planted Tank VIP (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Lebanon, CT Posts: 4,939	That is a very " natural " look to the water column and really does compliment fish color ... Im jealous ! :P __________________ Buckmanshome.Com

02-11-2003, 07:50 PM	#6
geekgirl Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Aloha, OR Posts: 269	hey Buck, I'm jealous of your tanks. So crystal clear and great layouts. My (cycling) planted 55 is still kind of murky, and no fish yet, but plenty of african driftwood. No shortage of blackwater here Seriously though, between your and Sam's (hi Sam!) plant diagrams on your websites, I've been able to round out my plans. I've emailed pics off both of your sites to my DH. I think it's reconciled him to all the $$ I've been spending, knowing the end result can be so attractive. Stacey __________________ 55gal medium low tech planted 30 gal new high-tech planted. (we'll see how that goes. Heh.)

02-11-2003, 10:11 PM	#7
Rex Grigg Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (65/100%) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland Orygun Posts: 9,600	Stacey, If your 55 has a high plant load you may not see it cycle. When I was setting mu 55 up I just loaded it up with plants and turned on the lights. I was adding ferts within a week. The first fish (Ottos) went in after about three days. Within a couple of weeks I pretty much had the entire tank stocked. I have yet to see a trace of ammonia or nitrites in the tank.

02-18-2003, 02:29 AM	#8
Buck Planted Tank VIP (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Lebanon, CT Posts: 4,939	Thankyou for the kind remarks Stacey... Rex is right...get yourself some fast growing plants in that tank and you will be in business in no time. If you are ever interested in clippings of my plants just shoot me an email and we'll see what I can do. Now get planting ! :hehe: __________________ Buckmanshome.Com

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