For Fathers Day I am considering getting him an actinic light (T8 48%26quot;) to go with his 3 other bulbs. Do you think this would counter the orange appearance of the tannins in the water, and are there any other problems this type of bulb could cause in a tropical setup? It may be worth mentioning that he does have a lot of plants in the tank also.
Thanks for sharing knowledge if you have any!!Is there any reason an actinic bulb can't be used in a tropical aquarium (i.e. not marine)?Nothing wrong in using an actinic lamp in a fresh water aquarium, it's full spectrum for optimum coral growth, but what can it harm? There would be cheaper alternatives. I would think the water will turn from amber to green if you shine blue light on it though.
I'll agree with you and Ian up to a point, the Royal Panache will be compounding the problem, but I'd like to bet the bogwood isn't genuine bogwood. Three years and still leeching isn't right, the tannins are on the surface in all seasoned wood.
If I am going to suggest something useful, get him a lump of mopani wood and replace a piece of the original bogwood. It's a wood that doesn't leech much when new, so after a few water changes the water should clear.
Try the nail test on the bogwood. You shouldn't be able to push a nail into it even after three years underwater.Is there any reason an actinic bulb can't be used in a tropical aquarium (i.e. not marine)?I dont think lighting will affect tanin staining in the water.
Thats like trying to weaken a strong cup of tea by sitting it in the sun.. not going to help
Two things that can help, more water changes and adding activated carbon to the filter.
The Panaque Pleco is probably contributing to the problem by eating away at the driftwood and constantly exposing fresh wood and new tannins to leach out.
If the current lights are enough for the plants., leave that alone. Buy him another filter and a bag of carbon, and/or a Python water changer.
IanIs there any reason an actinic bulb can't be used in a tropical aquarium (i.e. not marine)?I don't think an actinic bulb will do much good or bad. In fact, I don't think it will do anything for your father's tank. Actinic isn't really blue, its ultraviolet, so it won't counteract the yellow water. Interesting thought though. You could try some blue-shifted lights like some of the 10,000 K bulbs out there.everyone that uses them always has a huge algae battleThe light bulb won't make a difference with reducing the water Tannins since it's released from microbes in the uncured wood. Sometimes my aquarium would get so %26quot;amber%26quot; I couldn't see the back of it. I want to suggest that you do a search on preparing driftwood for the aquarium and there's a lot of ways to prepare. I know one way is if it's small enough to fit in the dishwasher you can run it through the cycle WITHOUT SOAP and the hot water will kill the microbes in the piece or if you have a large enough vessel boil it out. I usually boil mine out for a little while and I leave some in a treatment tank to kill the microbes then rinse it out with hot water and then let it dry out a little then it goes in the tank for my %26quot;black water%26quot; fish such as Cardinal Tetras for effect. Any fish that is of the black water in nature will be more brilliant in color and more active since it's a natural setting for them.
I don't know if you got the periodical called %26quot;Tropical Fish Hobbyist%26quot; in the UK but if you do try to get a hold of the February 2009 issue on page 70, they are in the water with the fish in Black water and discuss the fish.
I would like to also suggest that you regularly chek the pH of the water as it will be more on the acid side like mine.
Maybe your Dad might consider dumping the community and going with a species tank such as Cardinal Tetras?sorry bud, i tried, it does not go away.what are u on about lol
