Water Clarity Issue :(

[LostAcc]

I really don't know what to do anymore, the water in my tank doesn't seem
to want to clear up. It's got a constant yellow tinge to it, even after 2x 50%
water changes now, and a few smaller changes in between. It's been this
colour fo about a month now

200cm (L) x 70cm (W) x 70cm (H)
980 Liters (260 Gallons)

2x FX5 Cannister Filters
1x BOYU UV Filter
1x Aquaclear 100

River Pebble Subtrate
+/- 3kg of Driftwood (4-5 Pieces)

Not sure if you guys need livestock details

 

[ejwp]

it may be your driftwood releasing tannins into your water. You could remove it and do a few water changes to see if it clears up.

 

[duggan]

Yes i agree it is the driftwood thats making the water have a yellowish tint. I have medium to large pieces of driftwood and i boiled all my pieces in a big old pot. Took somewhere around 5 hours to get most of the tannins out of the 2 smaller pieces I have. Yes water changes help but the tannins are just being released into the water by the wood, however, you said it has been like this for a month so hopefully should be clearing up soon. Not to burst your bubble but i have heard people say that the color lasted in their tanks for a few months. The pieces of driftwood you have look smaller... I would try pouring boiling water into a bucket with them. That is if you don't mind designating a large pot then get after it.

 

[smitty03281964]

I see that you have driftwood in the tank and it may be releasing tannins. If you want to know for sure take it out before the next water change and wait after several other water changes since it may know be in the filter and see if it clears.

 

[LostAcc]

Thanks guys, I'll give it a shot. I never knew about boiling the driftwood, but I did soak each piece for about 5 days before adding it to the tank. On what might be a related issue, I added 4 koi, are they not making the water this colour because they appear quite messy to me?

 

[nifeman]

Its your wood, no doubt about it.

 

[Racersk]

No doubt.

If it really bugs you add more carbon to your filtration-supposed to really capture the tannins or a step further than carbon, use Purigen, 2 days to clarity, but those tannins add realism and will help lower PH if you need it for your local water type...I like it!

 

[Psylant]

I'd say your water looks very clear, but it just has tannins, as the others have said. Unless you're keeping African species, most fish will probably enjoy the lower pH with the tannins depending on your tap water. Look at it as pleasing your fish

 

[floridagar]

what about the gravel that can release some types of tannins is that gravel and drift wood new?

 

[Allan01230]

It isn't from gravel espicially pebbles. Your oscars actually like those tannins. I have two large peices that are 4 years ols and still release tannins. I keep geophagus peachheads and plecos in my 85 but i like that as my fish originate from the Amazon. I f boiling doesn't work they have plastic wood peices that look pretty natural.