Sorting out blackwater, softness and carbon

[Elaine T]

I've got another question from the discus thread. After filtering over
coconut fiber (much like peat but without the phosphates), adding
blackwater extract, and removing the carbon from my filter to allow the
mopani wood to stain the water, my water is definately brown tinted.
This is great for the discus but my tank is 20" deep and there's not
nearly as much light getting to the plants now. The Saggitaria graminea
has been shedding leaves anyway, and now it's getting worse.

On the bright side, between the blackwater and changing out 1/3 of the
water for RO/DI, Flower the discus is perking up considerably.

So...Do I still get the water softening benefits of the mopani wood,
coconut fiber and blackwater extract if I filter over carbon too? Or do
I just remove the tannic and humic acids before they can do anything?

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

[John Thomas]

I wanted to use peat in my (flooded forest) main tank, but decided
against it for the very effects you're running into.

I'd be very surprised if the activated carbon didn't substantially
counteract what you were trying to achieve for the sake of Flower. I
think you're going to have to settle for Java Moss, Java Fern, Crypts,
Anubias, and the like if you want a planted tank.

My reasoning is that the organic acids are softening the water by
chelating cations -- and the activated charcoal would definitely cut
down on the activity of the organic acids.