To Carbon, Or Not To Carbon?

[Captain Neon]

Hi! I'm now cycling my second tank, identical model to my current one, which will eventually house a couple of mid-sized Cichlids and an African Clawed Frog. The decor is primarily bogwood at the back, planted with Java Fern, and around it is Elodea Densa and Hydrocotyle Eucocephala. The bogwood is arranged vertically, to make an interesting backdrop suggesting gnarled tree roots, such as you'd get in a South American or African river, and it's all been pre-soaked for at least two weeks prior to putting in the tank. The problem is that despite the soaking, the water is still slightly brown, as if the tank is filled with dilute tea. I know that most South American Cichlids will like this set-up, but ideally, I'd like the water to be a bit more clear.

The only problem there is that from what I've read in back-issues of PFK and on their website, the bogwood will continue to shed tannins into the water for quite some time, and the only way to truly eradicate this is to add carbon to the filtration for a few months during the initial set-up. The problem here is that if I add the carbon pouches that came with the filter (Fluval 205 external) I might lose the nutrients in the water for the plants, and have them all die on me.

Would that happen, or would it be OK to run carbon filtration for the first three months or so?

 

[The-Wolf]

I don't understand why tannins are a problem.
included in tannins are humic acids that plants and relish

crystal clear water is not always a sign of good water, a tank with a slight tea colour is
often best for both fish and plants, especialy those from the amazon.

ok to answer your q
yes it would be ok

 

[Captain Neon]

I don't understand why tannins are a problem.
included in tannins are humic acids that plants and relish

crystal clear water is not always a sign of good water, a tank with a slight tea colour is
often best for both fish and plants, especialy those from the amazon.

ok to answer your q
yes it would be ok

Thanks for the advice! The tannins aren't a problem, it's purely cosmetic. I know that some fish (Like Discus) love blackwater extract, which I understand has a similar effect. I'll leave it as is for a week or so before making up my mind- it may grow on me!

 

[SuperColey1]

I quite like the look of brown water, and I am told that the tannins release natural treatments for the good of the fish, but I now have a planted tank and I want to see the true colours of everything. Tannins will naturally disappear over the weeks with your water changes.

Problem with carbon (so I have read numerous times on here) is that it only lasts (conflicting reports) between 48 hours and 1 week before it is 'wasted'.

The tannins can seep out of the wood for anything up to 3 months (worst case scenario) so it could cost a lot to go the carbon route.

I'd just leave it to disappear naturally over time with water changes and let the natural healing remedies within it soothe the fish for a while.

Should normally clear within a month.