Yellow (Iron?) well water

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R

rolandk10

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
May 9, 2011
108
1
33
Naples, FL
Hi guys. Haven't posted in a while. Hopefully someone has some insight on this question.

I have moved in to a new house a couple months back and have been having a problem with my water since I got here. I'm out in the sticks, so to speak, and have a well system. The house has a new filter system on it to eliminate sulfer and a water softener. I've noticed that my tank has a yellowish tinge to it.
Here are my water readings:

PH: 7.8
Amonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 15ppm
Kh: 13
Gh: 5

The only thing that concerns me is the kh. The tank is drained using the well tap for vacuum but I fill it from the laundry sink using the treated water. So the kh is after the water softener. i don't wat to fill the tank from the well tap because the sulfer smell would be unbearable in the house.

So my question, is iron the reason my tank is yellow? If so, is there a way to treat it or should I ignore it? i know iron can be healthy but I don't know how much.

Edit: tank is 125 gallon. fx5 and aguatop cf500uv.
Fish: Oscar (12"), JD(5"), Salvini (4"), florida gar (12"), Pleco (12"), 3 Clown Loaches (4").

Here is a picture during this weeks cleaning. This is on the vacuum process.

2012-06-01 18.11.52.jpg2012-06-01 18.12.09.jpg

2012-06-01 18.11.52.jpg

2012-06-01 18.12.09.jpg
 
Here is a shot just now after it filled back up. it's hard to tell in the picture but the water is still yellow. Not as yellow though. Is the iron rusting? haha. I just changed the water last week (50%) and you an see how much more yellow it turned.

2012-06-01 18.43.54.jpg

2012-06-01 18.43.54.jpg
 
One more thing. I don't have any signs of iron in the house such as rings in the toilet or sinks. although we have it profesionally cleanned twice a month so it may just not get a chance to build up.
 
ECW said:
You sure its not tannins from the drift wood?
Click to expand...

That driftwood was in the tank before I moved and when I had city water, it was crystal clear. Also, I bought the tank used and it (the driftwood) was in the tank for years before I got it. It does look like tannins but unless it's been holding on to it for years, I'm assuming it's not.

Edit: here's another thought. The tank get some direct sunlight in the morning on one end. I don't notice a lot of green algea in the tank but could it be brown algea in the water?
 
If it were iron you should
Be able to taste it if the water turns yellow. Our cabin had a lot of minerals in the water including iron and it tasted like iron. We got a water purifier and the taste and color went away. Maybe your wood dried enough in the move that it cracked and warped making it so trapped tannins could escape?


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It'd be best to get your well water professionally tested. I'm sure your county can advise you.
the well may need a real inspection too. several different things can go wrong with them.
 
petspoiler said:
It'd be best to get your well water professionally tested. I'm sure your county can advise you.
the well may need a real inspection too. several different things can go wrong with them.
Click to expand...

That's a good idea. I had the filter/well equipment inspected before I bought the house and had to have one piece replaced which was somewhat surprising since the house was built in 05. I never had the water tested. I do have a water/well company service my equipment monthly so I can ask him next time he comes by.

Trace:

I have an RO for drinking water. If I drink from the tap, it tastes a little different but nothing strong.

As for the driftwood cracking, I am trying to remember how long it was out of the water. Maybe 4 hours. I guess that is could have cracked somewhere. At least I can't say for sure it didn't.

I'll take all your suggestions an work with them.

Thanks
 
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