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I have a question

My 2 to 3 month old 30 gallon tank is turning colors...

I am not sure if it is the driftwood I put in,
or an algae bloom.

I thought algae turned it green
and driftwood turned it dark.

but the water is more of a yellow color.
and there are little white specs floating in the tank.
The specs may be bubbles, tiny bubbles.

I just added some water clarifier to see if that takes out the specs.

Its a gourami tank with a large Pleco.
It has a decent shrimp colony that I don't want to kill
with Algae fix.

My 10 gallon betta tank is crystal clear.

Please help,
Thanks,
JH

Pretty much guaranteed to be the driftwood. Driftwood commonly releases tannins that lower the KH and pH of the water and, yes, discolor it. The yellow/brown tea color is unmistakeably driftwood. IMO it just makes the tank look more natural ... but speaking as someone who lives in a dorm, it can require some swift explanations when you're seen carrying a bucket of yellow water into the bathroom!

-Molly
Visit shelldwellers.com!

Thanks,
Like I said I knew the wood would change colors but I didn't know it could be a yellowish tint. I had always heard brown. The coloring doesn't bother me, my first concern is the fish's happiness and I know the pleco needs the wood.
Thanks,
JH]]

joshovis I second the driftwood. The brown comes from alot of tannins, more of a yellow color from must a small ammount. The 30 that I have @the office has yellow water that's only really aparent once it's been removed to the white water change bucket. Carbon will remove the color if you wish, but personally I'd just leave it .

^_^
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joshovis
I have the exact same problem. I thought at first it was due to the sand I had in my tank, not thinking the driftwood would do that, but then I was washing another piece of driftwood in a bucket and found that the water in the bucket was the same as the water in my tank! I agree with everyone else that it's probably the driftwood, the color is actually starting to grow on me though and I'm thinking about just leaving it. Good luck!
Jen

Ermm, when will the driftwood become mature or say stop having effect on the water colour ?

i have set up my 70 gallon for more than 2 month, but the drift woods still seem to change the colour of the water.

Is a carbon filter a must for a tank of many driftwoods ?

Carbon will help take it out. But, it does not hurt your fish in any way. And, depending on the fish you keep, like those that like water more acidic, then it is actually a good thing.

As for when it will stop, this is more determined by the type of wood, its size, and just the individual piece itself. I have several tanks that is still happens after 5 years.

The other terms are brown water and black water. Heck, there are even over the counter products that are made to make your water this way. I think Tetra has one, and it is called "Black Water Extract".


HTH.....

_____________________________________________________________

There is always a bigger fish...

I love my tea water.

So does he:



IME activated carbon won't remove all of the tannins, I have run AC filter cartridges in my penguin on the 10 gallon tank and still had tea water. OTOH I use mopani wood, which is VERY tannin-y stuff.

I say leave it, your fish are probably loving it. Tannic acid (the stuff making your water brown/yellow) will also soften your water and lower the pH, effectively conditioning it for many softwater fish. Tea water with plants and natural substrate also makes a very beautiful natural look, IMO.[/font]

I love mine as well. In fact, when I get new "real" drift wood in, I soak it in a large tub for several months to get it to sink better. And the water gets soooo brown beyond yellow. I use this water in several tanks when doing water changes.

Personally, I think it gives the tank attitude and personallity.

_____________________________________________________________

There is always a bigger fish...

Thank you all very much,

The coloring doesn't bother me, although the fact that the 10 is crystal clear and the 30 is so cloudy is a point of conversation when people come over.

I will leave it. I am using a Emperor that has an extra carbon filter compartment. Thats probably what is keeping it yellow instead of brown.

Now to head to the LFS to buy a new fish. Something to go with my 4 gouramis, and the Pleco (that will be leaving to my 50 gallon at school once he is too big)

I just haven't decided what to get yet...I will probably see what I can find at the 4 different stores. Then research my favorites to see whats compatible.

Thanks,
JH