Blackwater botanicals

[FishBubs]

Hi all,

I keep south american species in my 200l tank given we enjoy soft water in my area. I have added black water botanicals like catappa leaves, alder cones, jaracanda pods etc. my questions are:

1) do these need to be removed and replaced after a couple of weeks?
2) can/ should these be left for my residents particularly my amano shrimps ?
3) would leaving them in for an extended period of time (i.e more than say 3-4 weeks) cause any spikes in my parameters? Or cause any unwanted issues?

[fr499y]

Yes they can be left in until they decompose
Check hardness and ph as they do lower it slightly, the effects might be greater in softer water though!

[Martinspuddle]

I never remove any botanicals from my aquarium, I just keep adding them. The only issue will have is over time you will get a decaying mass at the bottom of the aquarium of which I leave be cause my Kuhli loaches live in this decaying sludge. In the image below you can see the decaying botanicals either end of the aquarium as it gets pushed aside by the water flow. This sludge is also full of small detritus worms and other critters giving the fish a readily available live food source.


Double click to enlarge image

With regular testing and water changes you shouldn't have any issues.

[fr499y]

Shouldn't*

[FishBubs]

Cheers all.

There was me hoovering out the tiny bits that gets pushed to the side as you say Martin along with the wood cippings the plecos seem to rasp off.
I am not sure i could deal with having sludge, as good as that sounds for some of the fish, i would be too paranoid about the corys rummaging in there.

I have a small bag of crushed coral sitting in one of my filters to keep things buffered and stable so all good on that front.

[Martinspuddle]

Shouldn't*

Should!

[fr499y]

Oh you meant should you have any issues?

[Martinspuddle]

Oh you meant should you have any issues?

...OK, now I see what your on about.

Disclaimer, Puddle was having a senior moment ...SHOULD NOT!