brown water

Amorakspirit · 02-23-2008, 09:45 PM

I have done several water changes within the last month (new tank) but I cant seem to get the water to stay clear! It turns brown and Im not sure if what I am doing is right or is their some kinda trick that I am missing.
I use tap water for water changes, should I be treating it with something, or using distilled water instead?
help

thanks

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loachlady5 · 02-23-2008, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amorakspirit

I have done several water changes within the last month (new tank) but I cant seem to get the water to stay clear! It turns brown and Im not sure if what I am doing is right or is their some kinda trick that I am missing.
I use tap water for water changes, should I be treating it with something, or using distilled water instead?
help

thanks

Do you have wood in it?

Amorakspirit · 02-24-2008, 08:34 PM

yes.... yes I do..... the wood is turning my water brown??? does that go away with time???? I really dont wanna take my whole tank apart...cuz thier is alot of wood....the whole water eliment is wood.

frogmanjared · 02-24-2008, 08:57 PM

Yep, the wood is turning your water brown. It's caused by the leaching of tannins from the wood into the water. It will go away with time but will depend on what type of wood and how large the pieces are. Someone else will have to help you with that, since I don't know how long leaching normally occurs for. I don't think it would be harmful to your fish, unless it's in excess amounts. Keep doing water partial water changes weekly, and you shouldn't have any problems.

**imeridian** · 02-24-2008, 09:16 PM

Some Seachem Purigen in the filter will clear the water. It'll usually take quite a while before the tannins stop leaching from the wood. Many folks soak the wood for lengthy periods of time or boil it before putting in the tank to help reduce the tannin leaching in tank.

Amorakspirit · 02-24-2008, 09:17 PM

Thanks for the help!!!
The water is already lighter then when I first put it together, I just wanted to make sure it wouldnt hurt the critter in it now

I can deal with the nasty water color for a while

again thanks for the input

loachlady5 · 02-24-2008, 10:45 PM

Some people like the slightly yellow color of the water (amazon jungle look)- the fish definitely seem to. Too brown looks yucky though, and you can't see the plants well.

Amorakspirit · 02-25-2008, 10:53 AM

15min after I do a water change yellow color isnt bad.... it does look more natural but 4-5hrs later brown is pritty nasty

The fish doesnt mind very much but I kinda wanna be able to see my bannana plant....that thing is growing like a weed

so I guess it doent mind either....

02-23-2008, 09:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
Amorakspirit Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cambridge, MA Posts: 10	brown water I have done several water changes within the last month (new tank) but I cant seem to get the water to stay clear! It turns brown and Im not sure if what I am doing is right or is their some kinda trick that I am missing. I use tap water for water changes, should I be treating it with something, or using distilled water instead? help thanks

02-24-2008, 08:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
frogmanjared Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 76	Yep, the wood is turning your water brown. It's caused by the leaching of tannins from the wood into the water. It will go away with time but will depend on what type of wood and how large the pieces are. Someone else will have to help you with that, since I don't know how long leaching normally occurs for. I don't think it would be harmful to your fish, unless it's in excess amounts. Keep doing water partial water changes weekly, and you shouldn't have any problems. __________________ http://s258.photobucket.com/albums/hh272/frogmanjared/ Before you buy: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/fi...pic-heavy.html

02-24-2008, 09:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
imeridian indiboi, ftw! (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chambersburg, PA Posts: 1,184	Some Seachem Purigen in the filter will clear the water. It'll usually take quite a while before the tannins stop leaching from the wood. Many folks soak the wood for lengthy periods of time or boil it before putting in the tank to help reduce the tannin leaching in tank. __________________ Ehfipimp #271

02-24-2008, 10:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
loachlady5 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1) Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 858	Some people like the slightly yellow color of the water (amazon jungle look)- the fish definitely seem to. Too brown looks yucky though, and you can't see the plants well. __________________ 75 gallon tank: gH 12 degrees, kH 4 degrees/ PC lighting - Coralife Lunar Deluxe fixture 4X65W (2 GE 55W 9325K bulbs, 2 55W EIKO 6500K bulbs)/ 1 Penguin 330 HOB filter, 1 Penguin 125 - bio wheels removed/ Pressurized CO2: tubing fed into input of a maxi-jet 400 power head, 4 bps

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02-24-2008, 08:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
Amorakspirit Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cambridge, MA Posts: 10	yes.... yes I do..... the wood is turning my water brown??? does that go away with time???? I really dont wanna take my whole tank apart...cuz thier is alot of wood....the whole water eliment is wood.

02-24-2008, 09:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
Amorakspirit Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cambridge, MA Posts: 10	Thanks for the help!!! The water is already lighter then when I first put it together, I just wanted to make sure it wouldnt hurt the critter in it now I can deal with the nasty water color for a while again thanks for the input

02-25-2008, 10:53 AM	#8 (permalink)
Amorakspirit Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cambridge, MA Posts: 10	15min after I do a water change yellow color isnt bad.... it does look more natural but 4-5hrs later brown is pritty nasty The fish doesnt mind very much but I kinda wanna be able to see my bannana plant....that thing is growing like a weed so I guess it doent mind either....