Scottie

Hi, just looking for some advice.

I know its not technically a cloudy issue, but here goes-

I have a 25 gallon rectangular tank, with a sand base and Jewel internal filter system/heater setup.

It has a range of live plants and at the moment has 8 mollies and two snails.

It has two large pieces of bogwood which I did wash thoroughly as well as the sand before starting the tank.

I cycled the tank using a filter from another cycled and well established tank.

Doing 10L water changes every 3-4 days as well as changing the weekly filter and black carbon filter monthly.

The tank is now 10 weeks old, all the levels are fine and I have had the water double checked with my local fish supplier.

But I seem to have a slight brown tinge to the water, the local shop mentioned it could be the bogwood?

I guess the bogwood is excreting something? The fish are fine and loving their new home, very lively bright and well.

Any advice?

thanks again....

kimb

Congrats on your tank and healthy fish! Your bogwood is probably leaking tannins in the water. It is normal and will not hurt your fish. You said you rinsed the wood, did you boil it? This will sometimes help them release faster. It can take a long time for it all to come out, but water changes will help. Some people actually put it in there to help colour the water, they feel it looks more natural. Good luck

aquarist48

Kim has you covered. I would just like to add the the bog/drift wood can also lower your pH levels so that is something that you need to remember. Have fun. Hope you can share some pictures along the way!

Butterfly

Good advice all around.
The bogwood is definitely releasing tannins and the fish will love it.
As for changing your filter media... that's where a large percentage of your beneficial bacteria grows and when you throw the filter media away you throw away BB. You can rinse the filter media out in used tank water when it gets gunked up and reuse it. Many of us use it for months before replacing it. I have sponges I've had for several years. It not only saves you money but keeps your tank parameters more steady. I know the manufacturer says replace more often but this is one of there money makers. When the media gets ragged and needs changing if there's room put the new in with the old for a couple of weeks before throwing the old away or put a piece of the old in with the new for a couple of weeks. I hope I'm not confusing you
It's ok to use carbon if you want to but most experienced aquarist only use it to remove meds, odors or discolorations of water. If you are going to use it rinse it well before and change monthly just as you have been doing.

Kim- did he really rinse the fish? LOL j/k
Carol

Scottie

Wow great advice, my jewel filter system is made up of 5-6 different sponge filters and I only replace the slim white filter weekly, which is advised in the manual to do so, all the rest just get a squeeze/rinse out in the old water that I have taken out. Again advice I have followed from the guys in the aquatic shop.

link to what the filter system looks like:

http://www.aquacare.co.uk/filter_assembly2.jpg

I hope this is correct? It seems to work as the levels are are fine and the fish look well.

kimb - yes I only rinsed it, well, stuck it in a bucket and did a few water changes.

Will read up on tannins, but I have noticed the plants are doing really well in this tank, so I guess its ok for the plants as well.

I quite like the colour (color for you US guys ;-) it does give the tank a mysterious look to it and as long as it does not harm the fish I am not too worried to be honest.