Other than Kents Organic Adsorption Resin, have any of you used another product that removes the yellow color from the water? I know it is due to the wood, as the tank has been running three years and only turned after I added a large piece of malaysian root wood. Now the light is having difficulty diffusing to the bottom of the tank and my foreground plants are not thriving.
clearing tanin stained water
- Thread starter Andrewtfw
- Start date
I change 75% every week using RO/DI water. I have recently replaced all parts of the RO/DI unit, and checked the ph coming out of the unit to make sure it is working properly. The water in the tank is clear for about a day and then begins to yellow again. I do not use carbon because it leaches phosphates into the water. I have found that purigen and renew (both by seachem) have little to no effect on removing the stain.
I have allways chose to filter out tannins rather than doing 100's of water changes and waiting. But having a sump filter makes it alot easier.
You can filter these tannins out by using cheap polyester batting from a fabrics store or walmart craft section. If you have a sump just use a bunch of that for the main filter packed in there a little. And if you have a drip tray buy a layer of white felt to cover it. Felt is also a cheap micron filter.
If you have HOB style filters that take a cartridge buy some white felt and attach it to the filter cartridges.
If you have a canister filter try to find a way to pack some batting in there. Not so much as to limit the flow but a good amount.
I allways use a 50% compression ratio on the batting. So basically grab a hand full that is twice as big as the place for the batting and pack that amount in the filter.
If you are unsure of how to use these in your style filter, then list your filtration and i will try to help out with an idea.
You can filter these tannins out by using cheap polyester batting from a fabrics store or walmart craft section. If you have a sump just use a bunch of that for the main filter packed in there a little. And if you have a drip tray buy a layer of white felt to cover it. Felt is also a cheap micron filter.
If you have HOB style filters that take a cartridge buy some white felt and attach it to the filter cartridges.
If you have a canister filter try to find a way to pack some batting in there. Not so much as to limit the flow but a good amount.
I allways use a 50% compression ratio on the batting. So basically grab a hand full that is twice as big as the place for the batting and pack that amount in the filter.
If you are unsure of how to use these in your style filter, then list your filtration and i will try to help out with an idea.
It seems really odd that Purigen wouldn't work for you. I use it, and it cleared up HEAVILY stained water very fast. Noticeable difference overnight, sparkling clear within 48 hours. Are you using enough Purigen for your tank?
rnocera;3217589; said:
Different tannins bind differently.
That's why the best way to treat your wood is to boil it on old tank water.
Take the wood out of the tank, and soak it in a tub of water for a couple of weeks. (I do this outdoors) Change the water every few days until the leeching stops. You can then place the wood in the tank with getting stained water. I buy Malaysian driftwood in bulk, soak it in Rubbermaid stock tanks so that it's ready to go when needed. Saves money, time, and grief. 
I appreciate everyone's feedback. Velanarris is right as to why purigen does not have a better result. I really don't want to remove the wood. It has plants growing all over it and is in a spot that would totally disrupt the layout of the planted tank. It looks like I will be buying organic adsorption resin, since I know first hand that this stuff works with no ill effects. Thanks again. -Andrew
Best thing you can do is water changes weekly, 50-75%. Purigen helps, but it only slows the leeching down until it maxes out and needs recharging. Don't spend a fortune on chemical media, for the most part w/new wood - it really does not help, least not that I could find - and I tried everything, wasting money pretty much lol. Also if your running a planted tank, you do not want to pump a lot of chemical thru it right?
It just takes a lot of soak time and heavy water changes. It will clear up in it's own time.
It just takes a lot of soak time and heavy water changes. It will clear up in it's own time.