[quote=”Shi Xuan” post=2619]Hi Peter,
I’m glad for your response. 🙂
From what you mentioned, I believe what I’m doing is wrong. :unsure: Usually, I leave the leaves in the aquarium till they have fully broken down. I used to remove the mulm diligently but the fish don’t like it, so nowadays, I keep some of it. (…)
As much as I have said, I hope to hear from more opinion from as many blackwater fish specialists as possible. :)[/quote]
Hi Shi Xuan, yes, in my opinion your practice is wrong, but equally is mostly mine although I think to better know it.
I am pretty sure that the final “mulm” is not the problem. On the contrary: I assume – as you do – that many useful microorganisms are living there. The problem – in my view – is the long process before, the process of decay in a very small amount of water. The difference of much flowing waters in nature and of little still waters in our tanks, may they be changed a bit nevertheless, is a big difference in structure. I am pretty sure that one has to diminish the time in which those processes afflict the milieu. The result, that “mulm”, is perhaps not nocious at all. But what was going on before is, as I see it.
But I agree: Best would be a scientist who know this in Details. And second best would be opinions of experienced blackwater aquarists. Opinions could be based on experience. And that is better than nothing.