Blackwater conditioner

[nys]

Would it be better to add blackwater conditioner into the tank if majority of the fishes are rasboras?

Will Celestichthys margaritatus "suffer" since they prefer hard/alkaline water?

What about otos and cherry shrimps?

[David Moses Heng]

separate the ones who thrives from hard water out. don't torture them. OTO and shrimp do well in soft and acidic water.

[benny]

hmm..

The rest of the fauna will certainly benefit from the blackwater condition as it soften the water and lowers the pH.

But it will cause undue stress to your Celestichthys margaritatus. Our water straight from the tap is still ok for them as it has a pH about 7 to 10 in housing estates. Perhaps you should consider a separate tank for them? Nothing big, just a nano setup will be fine.

Cheers,

[nys]

Roger...

[Quixotic]

pH close to neutral is actually okay for all of them. I have a mix of rasbora, boraras, celestichthys and otocinclus in my tank, no problems whatsoever.

Cherry shrimps are one of the hardiest shrimps, so they should be okay too.

But of course, mileage may vary.

However, as mentioned by benny, those preferring soft/acidic water will benefit from them if you do intend to set up another tank specifically for them.

[nys]

pH close to neutral is actually okay for all of them. I have a mix of rasbora, boraras, celestichthys and otocinclus in my tank, no problems whatsoever.

Cherry shrimps are one of the hardiest shrimps, so they should be okay too.

But of course, mileage may vary.

However, as mentioned by benny, those preferring soft/acidic water will benefit from them if you do intend to set up another tank specifically for them.

Yesterday shopped around few lfs and "itchy" bought a small bottle of Tetra Blackwater. Back home, dosed the recommended amount into my tank.

Wo... Seem like my T. espei, B. briggitae and merah love it very much. Surprisingly, my C. margaritatus are ok with it and occasionally playing "merry-go-round". Whereas, my oto and cherry shrimps no "extra" action.