Is my tap water safe to drink

[ZainaM]

Hi,
I've been monitoring my water quality closely, and I'm seeking input from the experts and pros who've been following my threads. Is my current water quality acceptable, or would it be beneficial to invest in additional Active Carbon and Purigen Seachem to combat the tannins from my driftwood and the miscoloration caused by the Aquasoils?

[graye]

Purigen is purely for aesthetics. The question is, do you want tannins in your tank or not? I personally don't bother with activated carbon since my tanks don't have any odor issues. As for purigen, I choose not to use it because I actually aim to maintain some level of tannins. The thing is, tannins aren't inherently bad or a water quality concern. While they might not be ideal for certain fish species, they can be incredibly beneficial for others.

[ZainaM]

Are you one of those who walk into a fish shop, see a planted tank and just go "wow" - the water is crystal clear, that kind of person. You want to replicate that in your home aquariums, right.

[coltin]

What's your water quality situation like?
I'm talking ammonia, nitrite, nitrate levels, pH, GH, and KH.
Are there any toxic chemicals, chlorine, or chloramine present?

Honestly, I think adding carbon to an aquarium is unnecessary unless you're dealing with heavy metals or poisonous chemicals in the water.
If these contaminants are coming from your tap water, it's better to filter the water through carbon before adding it to the aquarium.
But if your water is clean, I don't see the need for carbon.

If you're after crystal-clear water, I'd recommend regular, large water changes.

[graye]

One approach I've found helpful is submerging the wood in water outdoors, then draining it daily until the tannins are released - it does require some patience, though.

My aquariums vary in appearance, with some having crystal-clear water and others having a tannin-rich environment; it really depends on the specific aesthetic I'm aiming to achieve in each tank.

[ZainaM]

Thanks graye, I was thinking, do plants actually filter out the miscoloration and tannins from the water?

[graye]

They don't filter it out. The wood does release tannins, but it's a temporary thing. In a tank, it can take months to stop.

[ZainaM]

Does Algae, particularly Red or BBA, grow on driftwood that releases tannins, considering my snoring logs are the culprits behind miscoloration in my aquarium.