BlackWater Clear – Humic Water Conditioner for Freshwater Shrimp (500 mL)

Provides humic substances for all freshwater shrimp & planted aquariums, without the dark color

• Shrimp safe & copper free
• Will not darken the water, unlike other humic additives
• Detoxifies copper and heavy metals
• Provides humic & fulvic acids for all planted & blackwater aquariums
• Provides complex bio-organic molecules known to increase the availability of important nutrients to plants
• Establishes similar water conditions to those found in blackwater rivers
• May help simulate onset of rainy season to encourage spawning
• Formulated using extensive research on aquatic plant nutrient requirements & river water chemistry

Adding Brightwell Aquatics BlackWater Clear to the aquarium will slightly acidify the water, make it softer, and encourage fish spawning, without the darkening of water seen with traditional humic additives. This particular formula is also copper-free & therefore safe for use in shrimp tanks.

Humic substances are natural compounds found in soil and forested streams and rivers. They are made up of humic and fulvic acids, which come from the breakdown of plant and animal materials. When soluble humic substances are present in water, they help plants absorb important nutrients (such as iron, calcium, magnesium, molybdenum, copper, manganese, zinc, cobalt, and nickel) more easily. 

Blackwater rivers have dark brown water due to the presence of these humic substances. There are many important blackwater rivers in the Amazon and Orinoco River drainages, as well as throughout forested regions of Southeast Asia, which are home to many common aquarium fishes. Recreating a blackwater environment is desirable when attempting to maintain these fishes. 

Gradually increasing the amount of humic substances in the aquarium can also encourage fish to spawn, especially species like Discus and Cardinal Tetras that are found in blackwater rivers like Brazil’s Rio Negro. 

Instructions & Guidelines

Chemical filtration media that aggressively absorb organic material (such as macroporous resins) will quickly extract humic substances from aquarium water, which is useful when trying to eliminate these substances but is otherwise to be avoided when dosing this product. Activated carbon has limited effectiveness for this purpose, so it can remain.

Basic: Add 2 ml (1 pump, if equipped with a pump, or 2 threads on cap) of Shrimp BlackWaterClear per 6 to 10 US-gallons of aquarium water twice each week; increase dosage thereafter depending upon perceived nutrient needs of shrimp, fish and plants. When used in this fashion, 500 ml treats up to 2,000 US-gallons (7,571 L). If desired, dosage may be increased to provide increased bioavailability of certain nutrients (see opposite panel); see comments regarding spawning below. In general, daily, rather than weekly, dosing is recommended; daily dosing maintains a more stable and natural environment than dosing weekly, in which nutrient concentrations spike just after dosing and then gradually decrease throughout the course of the week. To dose daily, add 6 drops per 20 US-gallons per day; adjust dosing volume after 3 – 5 weeks in accordance with appearance of plants shrimp and fishes, and perceived need for nutrients.

As a Spawning Aid: Consult reference materials for the specific spawning requirements of shrimp and fishes in your aquaria and use this product and the following instructions to your best advantage: over a period of 6 days, increase basic daily dosage to 6 drops per 10 US-gallons (37.9 L) by increasing the number of drops administered by one drop each day (resulting in 6 drops per 10 US-gallons per day on the 6th day). Maintain this dosage (or increase it if desired) until shrimp or fishes have concluded spawning and eggs have hatched, at which point dosage may be gradually decreased back to basic dosage. Adding Shrimp BlackWaterClear directly to water being used in water changes, particularly when made on a daily basis, may have the most positive impact; when using this method, add the appropriate amount of Shrimp BlackWaterClear for the entire system volume for that day. An increase in water temperature and the amount of live foods fed, in conjunction with following the above dosing instructions, will often encourage spawning. Be aware that an increase in feedings will generate increased waste and the need to remove it from the aquarium via more frequent water changes.

Caution: Keep out of reach of children. Not for human consumption.