Black Water Generator

[dan2x38]

Not sure what to call it but sounds good. I added the pictures to my gallery: http://ovas.ca/index.php?action=gallery;su=user;cat=417;u=2243 Each picture explains the stages.

I had all the pieces I used my plant filter which was just sitting around. I had to buy some panty hoses, $1 plastic tray, & peat moss 10lbs - 1 sq. ft. $4.99 - enough for a very long time. All the bins are normally covered. Will have to tweak the amount of peat I imagine and likely other things. I will update as it progresses. I can see no reason why this will not work and be a constant supply of black water. AND yes Frank inspired the idea. It has been rattling around in my head for some time. Here is the picture the rest in my gallery:

[attachment deleted by admin]

[dan2x38]

Mt tap water's pH is 7.8. First thing this morning the pH was 7.2. By 3pm the pH was 6.8. Below are a couple pictures of the progress.

[attachment deleted by admin]

[fischkopp]

You can probably speed it up if the peat is fully submersed. Also, with the way it is setup right now I would be afraid that it will start to mold any time soon.

[dan2x38]

How would you set-up the peat moss stage? I know I can get better results th epH is staying at 6.6-6.8 I think it could be lower. The water does not pass through the nylons well enough. Explain it molding? I added some almond leaves to the water in the catch bin. Will pH creep up as if using a buffer? I used the water from it for my first water change.

[irene]

Why not just put the peat filled nylons right into the bucket and let it sit for a few days?

Irene

[fischkopp]

You can get dedicated media bags that may work better than nylon. I agree, simply throwing them directly in the buckt would be good enough. A bit of circulation helps. Alternatively you could add the peat to some kind of filter device that actively pumps the water though it.

[dan2x38]

I took your guys advice. I removed the one container and placed the tray containing the peat right in the water. I did keep the filter floss to prevent large particales from getting into the reservoir. Also added some filter floss over the output drain. The power head only sits deep enough so if there the drain plugs the catch bin will not over flow. Check out the mod below.

[attachment deleted by admin]

[irene]

Well, the water certainly looks darker!  Have you checked the pH yet?

Irene

[dan2x38]

pH is around 6.6 - 6.8. I am trying to get some pine cones but not easy this time of year.

[dan2x38]

Well I added some pine cones to the system. Anyone ever heard of anything bad with this? Frankie said he does it.

I also changed the peat moss trays again. With it sitting in the water the pH actually wnet up. I used the intitial tray but made to 2 stages. I will post pictures. Without the pine cones the pH went back down to 6.8 or a little lower.

[BigDaddy]

Why would you add pine cones? Ithink you mean oak leaf

[fischkopp]

I think Frank mentioned some kind of cones, I can't remember exactly which ones. It is know that alder cones have a similar effect as almond leaves. Let us know if you find a tree somewhere 

[BigDaddy]

Yes, people have used alder cones... but I thought more for the anti fungal properties than the tannins.

[fischkopp]

Yes, people have used alder cones... but I thought more for the anti fungal properties than the tannins.

Yup, isn't that more important anyways ... 

[BigDaddy]

By the sounds of it, I think Dan is hoping for the lower pH values blackwater brings...

[dan2x38]

Why would you add pine cones? Ithink you mean oak leaf

At the November meeting we had a speaker who has been breeding fish for many decades. He explained how he made black water using peat & pine cones. He also said he adds almond leaves. So I am doing the same. Just digging if anyone ever heard of any issues. I did find a couple mentions of old school breeders using pine cones before almond leaves were popular.

I think Frank mentioned some kind of cones, I can't remember exactly which ones. It is know that alder cones have a similar effect as almond leaves. Let us know if you find a tree somewhere 

Smalltown was able to pick some up he lives in Richmond. Last night at the meeting he brought me two large bag fulls. Soaked some over night then rinsed well this morning and added to my black water generator.

By the way anyone got a better name for it?

[dan2x38]

With the addition of pine cones the pH dropped a little more to 6.6. I wanted it still lower. Using my Terrestrial Plant Filter I added another drip tray and both with a 2nd stage. The pine cones are now pushed under water instead of floating. I am able to add 6 more bags of peat moss for a total of 8. With these mods the pH is down to 6.0-6.2. I think adding more pine cones will drop it below six.

Here is a link to the modifications: http://ovas.ca/index.php?action=gallery;su=user;cat=418;u=2243

[dan2x38]

With the addition of pine cones the pH dropped a little more to 6.6. I wanted it still lower. Using my Terrestrial Plant Filter I added another drip tray and both with a 2nd stage. The pine cones are now pushed under water instead of floating. I am able to add 6 more bags of peat moss for a total of 8. With these mods the pH is down to 6.0-6.2. I think adding more pine cones will drop it below six.

Here is a link to the modifications: http://ovas.ca/index.php?action=gallery;su=user;cat=418;u=2243

I got the pH at 5.5 now. Added more pine cones today too. With the additional peat moss stages & pine cones I am happy with the results now. The tanks remain stable pH too so very pleased at this point.