Maintaining Tannin Tint

[HookedOnFish_MI]

As I do my weekly water changes, the tint from the tannins release by my Mongolia leaves fades more and more. What’s the solution for maintaining the tint? I can’t see adding more leaves every water change as being sustainable...perhaps getting alder cones and changing one out every water change? Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Ben Rhau]

I add alder cones after each water change. It only takes a few to tint the tank a lot.

 

[MacZ]

I wouldn't add too many leaves anyway. I think I advised you to only add a handful with some weeks inbetween to maintain the leaf litter bed. Too many at once use up a lot of oxygen.

I don't add the cones themselves anymore. I take a container with RO water a day before a waterchange, add a handfull of cones and let it sit overnight. Then I add the brew to the tank after the waterchange. Interestingly: At first it's not very dark, only seems to give a slight yellowish tint. Over night it darkens a lot. So I only have to do this every 2nd or even 3rd waterchange.
Alternatively a few cones in a filter media bag also work.

 

[HookedOnFish_MI]

Thanks for the advice. Just curious...why the extra steps of soaking the cones overnight vs just putting a couple in your tank?

Also, if I were to use a dehumidifier to get RO water, how long can I keep that water before it gets funky or advisable not to put in an aquarium? Any special way to store it?

 

[MacZ]

Thanks for the advice. Just curious...why the extra steps of soaking the cones overnight vs just putting a couple in your tank?

I can dry them again and use them one more time. Yes, I'm a miser. When I put them in the tank either direct or in a filterbag they will start to rot within a day and are lost for re-use.

Also, if I were to use a dehumidifier to get RO water, how long can I keep that water before it gets funky or advisable not to put in an aquarium? Any special way to store it?

RO from a dehumidifier may contain whatever is in your air with it. Deodorant, room spray, cleaning agents... all stuff that may have bonded with the air moisture.
You can store RO water technically indefinitely. I store it in canisters I used to buy distilled water in. They have a screw cap and are closed tight. As there is nothing in RO that may be of use for bacteria as nutrients the water can't really turn bad.

 

[HookedOnFish_MI]

I can dry them again and use them one more time. Yes, I'm a miser. When I put them in the tank either direct or in a filterbag they will start to rot within a day and are lost for re-use.



RO from a dehumidifier may contain whatever is in your air with it. Deodorant, room spray, cleaning agents... all stuff that may have bonded with the air moisture.
You can store RO water technically indefinitely. I store it in canisters I used to buy distilled water in. They have a screw cap and are closed tight. As there is nothing in RO that may be of use for bacteria as nutrients the water can't really turn bad.

Darn, I thought that could be my easy way of getting RO water. As always, thank you for the advice.

 

[MacZ]

You're welcome. Sorry I have not always the best of news.

 

[HookedOnFish_MI]

You're welcome. Sorry I have not always the best of news.

What if I ran the dehumidifier outside for RO water?

 

[HookedOnFish_MI]

What if I ran the dehumidifier outside for RO water?

Disregard, seems like a bad idea. But then how would rain water be any different?

 

[MacZ]

Disregard, seems like a bad idea. But then how would rain water be any different?

Depending on where you live rainwater is also not good. Living in a city I can definitely forget about rainwater and have no choice but an RO unit. Those are really not as expensive or compliated as people think.

 

[Mike Wise]

Think about the metal coils in a dehumidifier. What are they made from? Can the water take the metal into solution?

 

[HookedOnFish_MI]

Think about the metal coils in a dehumidifier. What are they made from? Can the water take the metal into solution?

Thank Mike. I will avoid that route and am considering changing my tactic to use my 15 gallon for the breeding part, and buying a few gallons of distilled water each week to cut the tap.

 

[HookedOnFish_MI]

I add alder cones after each water change. It only takes a few to tint the tank a lot.

Alder cones just came in the mail. I had no idea how small they were! Just added 3 to the filter media bag of my 75. We’ll see how it looks tomorrow.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

I had no idea how small they were!

I don't what species you would get in the USA, I know there are <"native species of Alnus">. In Europe (I'm still very much a European despite BREXIT) you usually get Alnus glutinosa/incana or Alnus cordata. Alnus glutinosa/incana is a small cone, but A. cordata (Italian Alder) is much larger.

Have a look at <"PlanetCatfish: using Alder....">.

cheers Darrel

 

[HookedOnFish_MI]

Hi all,

I don't what species you would get in the USA, I know there are <"native species of Alnus">. In Europe (I'm still very much a European despite BREXIT) you usually get Alnus glutinosa/incana or Alnus cordata. Alnus glutinosa/incana is a small cone, but A. cordata (Italian Alder) is much larger.

Have a look at <"PlanetCatfish: using Alder....">.

cheers Darrel

Thanks Darrel. Here’s what I got, but it does not say the species. I will look at your link as well.

 

[ButtNekkid]

Hi,

I use a 40 liter bucket which has peat and misc leaves for waterchanges. Very easy way to control the amount of tint in tanks.
I´ll just add leaves when I start to see the bottom and the peat when conductivity stops to drop.

Just my 2 cents:

 

[MacZ]

Thanks Darrel. Here’s what I got, but it does not say the species. I will look at your link as well.
View attachment 10100

A. glutinosa. They come from where I live.
For a tank your size: Use 5-10.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

but it does not say the species.

A. glutinosa. They come from where I live

That would be my guess, they have a <"long history of use in Europe">.

cheers Darrel

 

[HookedOnFish_MI]

A. glutinosa. They come from where I live.
For a tank your size: Use 5-10.

Thanks guys. I just added 3 more to make 6 and we’ll reevaluate after a day.

 

[MacZ]

Hi all,


That would be my guess, they have a <"long history of use in Europe">.

cheers Darrel

Thanks for reminding me of the Alder King. Standard thing to discuss in middle school in Germany. And believe me the content of that poem is not for minors.