47 Tall Blackwater Journal

Clubber

Just noticed the amount of journals in this section. I haven't really been here in awhile but I shall try to catch up on them all as I love following peoples aquarium logs and seeing how they progress over time, it can be a joy to observe!

Figured I'd log my blackwater aquarium which is a 47 gallon column that I've had for a couple years and am rescaping into blackwater. The way it looks now, you can see it under my aquariums.

Here's the new plan and tomorrow I tear it back and start building it back up and will log the journey with photos.

- 20x30x18 Column
- Substrate: Pool Filter Sand
- Marineland c-360 w/Standard Media (no carbon) (might add peat in media bags)
- Coralife 96W Compact Flourescent
- 200W Heater
- Decor: Manzanita driftwood & Indian Almond Leaves
- Tetra Aquasafe & Tetra Blackwater Extract both after water change
- Plants: Maybe Anacharis & Water Sprite both floating
- PLANNED Fish Stock: 3 Gold or GB Rams (1m/2f), 20 or so Cardinal Tetras, 6 Otocinclus

angella

Sounds cool can't wait to see it :)
It looks great now though! I have cherry barbs too, 8 of them, and I love em haha.
What will you do with the fish already in it?

angella

Oh and I just saw that you have Red Tiger Lotus in one of your tanks, how has that done, where did you get it, and do you like it? I plan to get some soon :)

Clubber

Hello angella.

I love my cherry barbs, they've added fun personality and color to my tanks. I will probably always keep them.

The Tiger Lotus I got from aquariumplants.com when it was just under 3 inches, now it's grown to the top of my 30" high column!

So far the sand has went in. For now it's a CLOUDYwater Set up.







And the fish and plants have been safely rehomed and are doing great.

Have ordered tall manzanita driftwood pieces, I have the leaves and those shall go in together once the wood arrives.

angella

I'll check out their site :) Thanks and that's awesome!

Your tank looks cool, it will be great when the driftwood comes!

Clubber

aquariumplants.com is great for plants and fertilizer. I have used their fertlized substrate in about 4 of my tanks and had great results growing my swords, crypts, stems, you name it!

I did add driftwood that I already own. But one more big piece that'll fill the void in the right area is on it's way from Manzanita Burlworks. I also added a bit of my almond leaves which will take a few days to become waterlogged. My rummies are back, I have 8 of them. The cardinals I want about 30+ but I am thinking of going with neon tetras instead aka the poor man's cardinal lol. Then add my oto's and rams. I am also considering a few gold apple snails, or purple, or blue or jade not sure yet. Anything but the brown ones.

Clubber

I made a slight adjustment to the wood arrangement. I think I like it like this. The new piece, which is over 20" high, will occupy the left front area now.





Think I like that better. This will get hopefully get that whole BW feel to it soon enough but I don't want to change over to it TOO fast as I hear that could cause a huge PH swing. I'm just gonna wait for the new piece then drop that and about 20+ leaves into it and let the tannins soak out and naturally lower it.

angella

Looking good :)

Clubber

Hey angella! Thanks again. Appreciate you following along. :)

Not much to update yet, cept I moved some of the tanks old inhabitants back into it (all blackwater) and added some panda cories...I thought I'd post the driftwood piece I am waiting on.



Only $35 and $14 to have it shipped my way!

Clubber

My water is officially tannin stained. YES!!!!!!!!!!!!