2007-01-02 13:16:59 · 16 answers · asked by enjoyrselves 5 in Pets ➔ Fish
If you're hard set on coloring the tank, why not go for some nice LED night lights or decorative lighthouses (with LEDs) to illuminate the water at night? It's much healthier for the fish and won't affect your water chemistry at all.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=15550&N=2004+113146
or
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12760&N=2004+113544
2007-01-02 13:59:49 · answer #1 · answered by birdistasty 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The only ways you can safely change the color of the water is to get real driftwood and put it in your tank without doing anything to remove the tannins. You could put peat under your substrate or in your filter, that also will put tannins in your tank water. Also you could use blackwater extract. All of these will color your water brown, like strong tea or weak coffee. They all put tannins in your water, which regularly occur in nature any place where there is a high amount of wood or peat. Mainly in South America- especially in the Amazon Basin.
These are the only safe ways to do it, but only if you have fish that prefer soft acidic water. If you have hard water fish then this is a very baad idea. Either way, you will need to monitor your Ph closely to make sure it does not crash.
DO NOT use ich medicine to permanetly color your water. Yes it helps with ich, but that is all. Other than that it is unsafe. It's like taking vicodine when you are perfectly healthy.
2007-01-02 22:21:35 · answer #2 · answered by fish guy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anything you put in the water will permeate all throught the fish's system, so nothing is 100% safe. Imagine something that colored the air in your house. Even if I said it was safe, wouldn't you prefer fresh, clean air?
I think the goal should always be to get the water as crystal clear as possible, because the colors of the FISH are why you get an aquarium in the first place, right? Changing the color of the water will wash out or overpower the fish's colors.
If you want colored water, why bother with fish? :)
2007-01-02 22:18:39 · answer #3 · answered by captflapdoodle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but it is messy and will stain the silicone sealant used on your tank so if you ever want it clear again it will not look right. I would advise against it anyway since fish like clear water. Try using a background to add color.
2007-01-02 22:34:26 · answer #4 · answered by Amanda 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You shouldnt keep fish if you're just going to torture them. There is no reason to color the water in your tank.
2007-01-03 10:00:00 · answer #5 · answered by brandi91082 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should do it with the background of the tank. Even if it was safe, you wouldn't be able to see the fish.
2007-01-02 21:25:00 · answer #6 · answered by Kacky 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
NO!
just use a colorful background!
would YOU want to be in a bath of colored water?
2007-01-02 21:45:26 · answer #7 · answered by BubbleGumBoobs! 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Find out what kind of dye they use for that ich medicine. It turns the water an awesome electric blue, and doesn't hurt the fish. I wouldn't suggest any type of food coloring or dye not specifically used for fish though.
2007-01-02 21:39:53 · answer #8 · answered by kaputt_18 2 · 1⤊ 4⤋
I dont think so- put a colored lite in the lid, or put colored paper behind the tank,
2007-01-02 21:21:52 · answer #9 · answered by shashonah 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm curious now too. I don't know why it would be bad for the fish... you may be onto something. Maybe you could try it on a smaller scale 1st with like feeder fish... This is definitely one that makes me go hmmmm. Good luck & God bless.
2007-01-02 21:23:41 · answer #10 · answered by skayrkroh 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋