Does blackwater mean it has to be acidic?

[henward]

here is a question.

if i put say K leaves/ial to brown the water - but also use oyster shell/coral rock to keep the PH up around 7 - will the rock/shell keep it at 7 bue retain the brown water?

or will it make the water clear as a reaction?

[Fruju]

Well I'd say the primary ways of converting a tank to blackwater would be the addition of acidic compounds/acidity releasing objects.

What you suggest sounds like a PH harlem shake, probs not good for fishums.

[Rabbit]

Tannic acid, is exactly that. I dont know why you would want them separate? any black water in nature is going to be high in co2 and organic break down, so any fish with black water should already be adapt.

[henward]

Last time i used K leaves, the water ph became extremely low and not that brown.

i want the brown look but still remain relatively neutral ph.

so just wondering if i can have the brown water look but have ph of 6.5 to 7.2 ish.

i use oyster shell/coral tiny bit anyways, to keep ph stable at 7.

[Rabbit]

It can be done but not with ease as essentially there two chemicals fighting, adding a fresh piece of driftwood will stain the water and given you have a high immediate kh shouldn't fluctuate a great deal. You will have to monitor everything though as it will eat away at your kh faster than it can replenish itself.