My water was clear three days ago but a slight brown/tea color. Then it turned so dark that I can't see the bottom 6" of the pond. I had a barley bag in the filter fall and took that out as I was told that might turn the water brown but what else could be causing this? It's not cloudy and no "gunk" in it, just dark in color. I did add an aerator this past weekend and I see less algae on my rocks and liner - could that have something to do with it? Thanks in advance!
Brown water?
- Thread starter Rbritt
- Start date
Skimmer with bio falls. I just rinsed the filter media out this past weekend (in pond water) and I rinse out the skimmer media every other day.
koiguy1969
GIGGETY-GIGGETY!!
skimmers alone are not really sufficient ..since most fishwaste, plant matter, and other debris end up on the floor of the pond it only stands to reason that water should ber drawn from the bottom in order to suck up and remove this sediment before it biodegrades in the pond.
Thanks Koiguy. I got a pond vac but haven't been able to get it to work yet. Guess I know what I'm doing this weekend!
Thanks daddio for the input. A bottom drain probably isn't an option. We're on top of a mountain of solid rock and chances of me getting hubby to dig one more foot (much less a drain and more pipes) after digging the pond by hand last year is slim to none. He said he dug the hole, the rest is my problem :lol: But I'm hoping regular vacuuming will help keep the bottom clean and that I don't suck up my baby fish in the process. I got the muck-vac but it wouldn't suck at all. Guess it's time to invest in a real pond vac!
Activated charcoal will help remove any tinted water.
Rbritt said:
Hi are you useing a U.V Filter ?
Usually brown water is caused by tannins. This is caused by dead vegetation including dead leafs from trees.
Clean your pond and use Hydrogen Peroxide to clear the water.
Clean your pond and use Hydrogen Peroxide to clear the water.
Thanks all! I think I'll try the activated charcoal to start and then get the bottom cleaned up, hopefully this weekend. No, I don't have a UV filter and unfortunately with my setup no way to add one. Thanks for all the input and help!
hewhoisatpeace
Evil Genius
Rbritt, the retrofit bottom drains don't have to be dug. I think Tetra makes one, you never pierce the liner at all. Pretty cheap, too, just search "retrofit bottom drain". Or try this link http://www.aquaart.com/drain.html should work. Check it out, be easy to rig up in a standard pond with no bottom drain.
Oh, i like the idea of the retrofit bottom drain! My "deep end" is at the same end as the skimmer - do you think I could set it down there and then run a pipe right into the skimmer?
On the charcoal, how much for a 1200 gallon pond? I got two jars of it at Wal Mart today, about 3 cups in each and put a jar in a mesh bag and placed it in the biofilter falls. Should I put the other one in too or is one enough?
Thanks everyone for your help! I knew this was going to be a work in process and I had a lot to learn as I go and you all have been a great help - I appreciate it.
On the charcoal, how much for a 1200 gallon pond? I got two jars of it at Wal Mart today, about 3 cups in each and put a jar in a mesh bag and placed it in the biofilter falls. Should I put the other one in too or is one enough?
Thanks everyone for your help! I knew this was going to be a work in process and I had a lot to learn as I go and you all have been a great help - I appreciate it.
Sorry, one more question and then I'll stop asking so many stupid ones (at least for now). I found a Matala pond vac on ebay for $230. http://cgi.ebay.com/Matala-Pond-Vac...ac-Vacuum-/330431387596?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0 Is this a decent vacuum and worth the price or is it worth spending the extra for the Pond-O-Vac? Thanks again.