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	tannins and light
sham Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 3369 Kudos: 2782 Votes: 98 Registered: 21-Apr-2004	I've wondered for awhile now if having lots of tannins in the water blocks light? I was thinking of at least using the carbon less in my filter but I also have 5 pieces of driftwood. Most pieces have been in there a year but when I pulled the carbon for meds the water was dark brown in days. It definitely looks dimmer but is it really affecting the light level?
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44
Cup_of_Lifenoodles Fish Guru Posts: 2755 Kudos: 1957 Votes: 30 Registered: 09-Sep-2004	Not noticeably. Considering how most tanks are only, at most, two feet deep, you shouldn't have a big problem with light blockage.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44
keithgh Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 6371 Kudos: 6918 Votes: 1542 Registered: 26-Apr-2003	sham Sounds like one or more pieces of you DW will always release tannins. A larger filter might help with more carbon. As it gets darker it must have some effect on the lighting as the deeper the water the less light can reach the bottom. Keith Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do. I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT? VOTE NOW VOTE NOW
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44
jasonpisani Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 5553 Kudos: 7215 Votes: 1024 Registered: 24-Feb-2003	Carbon helps you eliminate tannins from water & if you remove the carbon & you have alot of tannins, it might block some of the light, especially at the bottom of the tank. http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/s8xi5heh/my_photos http://www.geocities.com/s8xi5heh/classic_blue.html http://www.flickr.com/photos/corydoras/ Member of the Malta Aquarist Society - 1970. http://www.maltaaquarist.com
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44
trystianity Mega Fish Posts: 1028 Kudos: 926 Votes: 49 Registered: 20-Mar-2004	I personally haven't had any problems with tannins in my planted tank, with dark brown tea water. The plants still do fine.....I guess it could be a problem but IME at least you would have to be in pretty extreme conditions for it to have too noticeable of an effect. ie. Low light tank already with moderate light plants, or plants that require very high light in seriously BLACK water. I suppose it could be an issue but so far it hasn't been for me.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44
sham Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 3369 Kudos: 2782 Votes: 98 Registered: 21-Apr-2004	If I pulled all the carbon I could probably have blackwater It's been worse this month and I haven't added any driftwood. Maybe it's the new plecos scraping at the wood. I have 2 penguin 330 filters with 4 carbon filled cartridges and then I half fill all the extra media sections. I've still got tea colored water and 2 weeks after I put the carbon in it started to turn dark brown.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44
plantbrain Big Fish Posts: 329 Kudos: 226 Votes: 0 Registered: 23-Aug-2003	Large weekly water changes take care of it also and is better for the plants(cheaper as well) than using activated carbon which last 2-4 weeks. Regards, Tom Barr 3rd annual Plant Fest July 8-14th 2005! subscribe@BarrReport.com Get connected www.BarrReport.com Get the information
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44
sham Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 3369 Kudos: 2782 Votes: 98 Registered: 21-Apr-2004	I change 25% twice a week so I can't really increase that.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44
lifeofcrimeguy Enthusiast Posts: 230 Kudos: 265 Registered: 12-Jan-2004	an obvious suggestion i know but have u tried to soak the drift wood out of the tank? i boiled mine with carbon changing the water morning and night (using boiling water each time). took a couple of weeks but no more yellow! also there is stuff u can buy to leech the wood. no idea whats its called but i vaguely remember it costed about 30 bucks. higher water temps and more carbon quicken then deal.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44


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