Blackwater - cheap DIY black water

[henward]

Ok, we talked about oak leaves

but peat moss seems fine to use.

jsut wondering though, someone mentioned these tablet things made out of peat, are they usefull?

OR in bunnings or mitre 10 mega stores, there are yellow sacks of peat

is that aquarium friendly?

anyone tried it?

i guess im looking for cheaper ways to blacken the tanks.

[livingart]

tea bags?

earl grey might taste better when syphoning the tank

[diver21]

i use the big yellow bags of peat.

[malevolentsparkle]

peat that is meant for gardens contains chemicals that is not good for tanks. I use aquarium peat in a little box filter. works a treat.

[Bilbo]

I use the big yellow bags of peat too.

Have done for years without any problems.

[SamH]

tea bags?

I hope this is a joke, I read something either here or on Fishkeepers about tea bags killing fish :-?

[alanmin4304]

I have used teabags without a problem, also oak bark and water from streams on the west coast that are brown from running through leaf litter. Pretty much the same thing. Wouldn't suggest coffee though

[livingart]

I hope this is a joke, I read something either here or on Fishkeepers about tea bags killing fish :-?

used them before no worries

don't know about the fancy teas though

[Stella]

I use garden peat (the big yellow bags) as the substrate in my mudfish tanks, with a layer of leaf litter over the top to make it a bit more wetland-like and create more hiding places. Works brilliantly! Organic substrate tanks are just SOOO easy to look after.

One tank of peat has been going for four years. THe tannins are much less now, but still there.

[SamH]

used them before no worries

don't know about the fancy teas though

I guess what works for some, may not work for others.

[henward]

so those big yellow sacks - you buy in your average garden stores you use for aquariums?

i so thought there was fertiliser in it.

Am i mistaken?

Do you just put it in a stocking back to prevent it from going everywhere?

im scared lol

scared to use the yellow bags! so cheap though.

[Ira]

I hope this is a joke, I read something either here or on Fishkeepers about tea bags killing fish :-?

If you look around enough you'll find someone somewhere claiming anything will kill your fish. I read once that not completely defrosting your frozen bloodworms will kill your fish. Also, that you must use only clean water to wipe the tank glass because if you use spit some may get in the tank and effect the PH.

[DennisP]

Also, that you must use only clean water to wipe the tank glass because if you use spit some may get in the tank and effect the PH.

Yo Spit is deadly.

[livingart]

spit roasts

[SamH]

If you look around enough you'll find someone somewhere claiming anything will kill your fish. I read once that not completely defrosting your frozen bloodworms will kill your fish. Also, that you must use only clean water to wipe the tank glass because if you use spit some may get in the tank and effect the PH.

Yeah, internet's full of stuff eh? Just thought I'd be on the safe side cause someone had had an experience with it.

[alanmin4304]

I have used the peat in the big yellow bags (still do but for breeding locusts now) You can put the peat in a bag in a box filter or in an electric filter and run it till you get the depth of colour you want. All of these things are basically producung tannic acid, the only difference is the type of other stuff present.

[phoenix44]

why use tea bags that contain caffeine when you can use peat?

[henward]

how bout the yellow ags of peat, kinda quare in shape when you buy them, who else has used them?

they have no fertil,isers on them?

[alanmin4304]

Use what is available at the time---they all work

[Insect Direct]

how bout the yellow ags of peat, kinda quare in shape when you buy them, who else has used them?

they have no fertil,isers on them?

why would it have fertilisers in, its not potting mix now is it.

is used in potting mix but shouldnt have any ferts in standard peat, other than natural ones maybe.

read bag if unsure

[henward]

i know, but somethings tend to have additives in it.

its YATES HAIRAKI GOLD: sphagum peat

is that normal peat? or a different type as there is shpagum at the start of the name?

says organic on it, that means i assume is natural - pure form?

[henward]

http://www.yates.co.nz/products/pots-an ... peat-moss/

this is the product i have

i guess its organic and pure form right?

some said they use the yellow pack, i assume its this here?

[Insect Direct]

http://www.yates.co.nz/products/pots-an ... peat-moss/

never noticed the sphagnum on the label before, anyway thats all good that stuff.

[Insect Direct]

looks to be pure peat, no obvious slow release ferts anyway.

from above site "Free of toxic substances, pests, diseases & weed seeds"

she be rite, just dont eat it all at once

[henward]

haha fair enough

seems natural - will trial a tank first, small one, then see how i go.