Loaches Online Forum

I loved my tank when I put my fresh driftwood in. I'd love to get that color back and I wondered if an additive would do the trick. Also, does it change PH levels or anything else? Which brand is best? I'm putting in an order to Big Al's so I have Tetra and Brightwater brands to pick from.

I should also note, I'm keeping Rummy Nose's and Cardinals in it. I hope to add discus once I get a larger tank.

Peat Moss as sold for gardening will do this. I have nylon stockings with peat moss in several tanks. The color is subtle, but the organic acids are there. The water is a little soften, and lower pH.

Be careful to read the label. No surfactants (wetting agents) no fertilizer... Pure Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss.

I have about 2 cups in the sump for my 125 gallon, about 1 cup in tanks of around 45 gallons, and less in other tanks. (Whatever fits in the filters)
Maximum effect lasts for about a month. Then I throw the used peat moss into the garden.

tetra blackwater has been around forever! i used it with my first clowns back in the 70's, and i think it's good stuff. it has peat and added trace elements and vitamins. if you've just got one tank going, it's probably easier to just get something like this rather than seeking out a bulk source of peat- just my opinion... you just replenish at each water change and yes, it will give the water that nice yellow/brown tint. i'm with you, i like that too. plants and fish are very happy. i also use marc weiss ketapeat pellets, which work great in a HOT filter. great stuff: http://www.marcweissco.com/freshwater/k ... _peat.html
any of the blackwater products containing peat are going to tend to lower the ph as blackwater is on the acidic side by definition.

if you like the tannin coloured water, which i personally don't then why not buy a small piece of either bogwood or mopani wood,
the later one i found turned my tank brown the quickest.
it's cheaper than buying blackwater tonic in the long run.

mick