Tannins

Okay so when I dirted my tank I used miracle grow organic choice potting soil like I have read to use. Everything is working fine so far with the exception of an algae problem but I am working on that. What I am curious about is how is it that all the tanks I see on here have such gloriously clear water and mine is more tea colored. I know that it is from tannins in the soil but why do the other tanks not have it? Is that also part of the new tank syndrome? It doesn't bother me and I think it gives the tank a nice look. Just kinda curious as to why all these other dirted tanks don't have the same effect.

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Permalink Reply by Hmoobthor on November 11, 2011 at 9:40pm

yes...the dirt is like a tanning tank and will leech out for a couple good month if you do weekly wc.

Big water change will clear it up in no time too.

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Permalink Reply by Connor on November 12, 2011 at 2:56pm

do small water changes every like 2 days or so.. thats what i do and i have the same problem as you, its working

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Permalink Reply by Andy on November 12, 2011 at 5:09pm

water changes and carbon in your filter. I use allot of carbon and it takes the color out of the waterm, with out screwing with my cyle.

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Permalink Reply by Brent on November 13, 2011 at 12:44am

Well I currently am just running 1 HOB filter with a single carbon insert. I guess I could put a bag of carbon on the side but the discoloring is not that bad but thanks for the idea.

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Permalink Reply by Mike The Aquarium Guy on November 13, 2011 at 2:35am

driftwood will also cause this

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Permalink Reply by Brent on November 13, 2011 at 3:26pm

Yeah I know that. I do have a small peice of driftwood but it has been in the water for a long time and its not leaching tannins into the water anymore. I just think that there is a lot of wood mulch in that potting soil.

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Permalink Reply by 1987 on November 15, 2011 at 5:15pm

Just do your weekly water changes like your supposed to, and I will clear up in about a month. All my dirt tanks have done this, and they all clear up.