„Idle thoughts“ or „ideal thoughts“? Jacob: Sometimes it seems to me that you are searching for the ideal setting, the ultimate aquarium for blackwater fish, simple on the one hand and perfect on the other, a model of functionality and ease at the same time … O yes, it’s worthwhile to dream of that, I did also. If it were not blackwater aquaristics, but the normal tank for neon tetras or barbs, not for breeding but only for keeping for pleasure until the fish die: then the dream has come (nearly) true meanwhile. The industry has developed some technical models of comfort and convenience, and for most aquarists this is the solution they like. But not for us, not for you, not for me, not for the chocolate and the licorice gouramis.
By the way: Here, at our new Parosphromenus-site, it’s not necessary to distinguish very cleanly between both groups, since the chocolates are blackwater fish as the licorice; in fact both are companions in many blackwater streams and rivers. There are differences, of course, in behaviour and in care, but the issues you spoke of are as much relevant for the one as for the other. We, the makers of this site, are very conscious about the fact that we designed a very special site, but in most respects it nevertheless proves true for all organisms that accompany those fish in nature: They are all more or less doomed to extinction. Maybe the chocolates a little lesser than the Paros, because there are less species and their occurrence is more widespread. It’s just as with the Orang-Utan: We selected a symbol for the vanishing beauties of the east-asian biodiversity.
Now quickly three things:
1. An inevitable equipment you need is reliable measuring kits for pH and conductivity, possibly for germs, too. All “stripes” are too inaccurate, liquids are more exact. The relevant domain is pH 3.0 to 7.0 and conductivity below the normal range of measuring kits for water hardness. But the best are electrical instruments for both, gauged and calibrated exactly, however; otherwise it’s of no use. You should begin with an electrical pH-meter. I think you will need it.
2. Yes, zeolithe is an interesting substance, no question. Since 2004, we have an interesting product based on zeolithe in Europe called “Easy life”; it will be sold in the U.S. also, I suppose. Whereas you can forget all those “water purifying” substances and all those products that “make water tropical” that are sold in every pet shop today (at least for our blackwater aims), that “easy life” is different. We have a very successful breeder of Parosphromenus in The Netherlands, Karen Koomans, who has not changed her water very often and she is certain that her successes are largely based on her regular use of that product. On the other hand, many of us do not use it (I very rarely) and we breed our fish nevertheless. Anyway: “Easy life” may help; it will not replace water change. My demineralization system working with artificial resins is comfortable and for me the base of my blackwater aquaria.
3. One of the best Betta- and Parosphromenus-breeders, Allan Brown, was always characterized by his wife Barbara as “water changer”. I think, this will stay the best method (only of course, if your new water is better than your old! There are cases where the constant water change is ridiculous because the water in a big normal tank with many plants and little fish is often better than the new water from the tap. But our blackwater problem is different). So I think there are limits to our dreams of an easy going, comfortable blackwater aquarium. As there are distinctions between the ever running waters of our fish in south-east Asia and the never running waters in our tanks. Nevertheless, it is fully correct to orientate on them. Their conditions are what we have to copy as good as possible. But there are many limits to that, unfortunately. On the other hand: The system we reccommend here is rather easy and rather comfortable compared to the everlasting technical and chemical stress that you have with a normal aquarium with tap water, dried foods and an evergrowing demand (or pretended demand) of industrial products.
In the light of that insufficiencies we could only be surprised about the fact that healthy Paros and Chocos will nevertheless live for years and propagate. So let’s speak on the Parosphromenus-site of Parosphromenus, having many Bettas and Sphaerichtys in mind.