Amber colored water in fish only.

coyotethug

Gambusia
MFK Member
Sep 3, 2005
551
4
16
46
Michigan
I have angered colored water in a 6000 gallon fish only. This system is a month or so out of a reboot. Treating with Prazi. It was cloudy so we kicked on the UV. It cleared up but then after a week turned amber. It is clear but heavily tinted. Fish are all fine and so are all water parameters.

I am thinking that there is an issue with degradation of prazi due to UV exposure. Skimmer is not on due to pump issue, should be operational in a week or so. I am going to try some small micron filter bags (1-5 micron) to see if it can take it out. I am leaning towards iron oxide particles from something.

Any experts have some ideas? Forward me to anyone you think may help too.

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coyotethug

Gambusia
MFK Member
Sep 3, 2005
551
4
16
46
Michigan
No activated carbon at this time. I am less interested in clearing the water now than clearing it up. There is no driftwood in tank either. Tank is a 15 ft diameter hexagon, 6ft deep. Center overflow with a massive filtration system utilizing a 500 gallon bioreactor as well as large custom built protein skimmer. Skimmer is offline now but I assume it will clear water as soon as it is up. If not activated carbon is my next trick but we will need a lot for such a large system.

I have been doing this both privately and in public aquarium settings for 20 years and I am stumped. This is what I know it is not.

Not a problem with source water. TDS is less than .01
Not a leaching event. Water running for 2 weeks and no problem then bam overnight change.
Not an issue with salt source, using same batch on three other systems with no issues.
Not a biological issue, all test parameters great.
Not affecting fish, damsels, clown triggers, tangs, butterflies, wrasses, anthias, etc.
Particles smaller than 100 microns because not staining filter bags.
Seems to be exacerbated by UV usage, has lessened since UV turned off.

Any ideas? Have been treating with powdered prazi.

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strollo22

Siamese Tiger
MFK Member
May 21, 2012
5,786
15
38
36
Datnoid Island
I know when I used prazi I had some yellowish-brownish foam on the waters surface that started to leech a bit. Other than that, that's quite the mystery


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skatin707

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 11, 2013
192
0
0
Delaware
I used seachem clarity with success once, I had yellowish water as well. I know it's not recommended, but it works.

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Otherone

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 2, 2009
2,683
4
0
Lancaster,PA USA
A phytoplankton AKA diatom outbreak killed off leaving free floating skeletons from the UV combine with high mineral content would be my guess - check your in tank and water source output silicate contents - you might need a slica buster
 
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