Help! Why is my water brown?

[InTheBox]

Just put water in my tank, there are logs and such in there, so a lot of wood items. When I put the water in, it turned a dark brown, we washed the wood before placing it in. Why is it brown, and how can I fix it?

Thanks!

 

[StarGirl]

It is tannins from the wood. It will go away eventually with water changes. Are any of the wood pieces dark brown? You can soak them in a bucket until the brown goes away. The fish like tannins in the water so it wont hurt them.

 

[NeoTrinity13]

I also read that tannins do not hurt fish. But if you don't want the water brown then boil the driftwood. It leaches out the tannins and kills any bacteria or fungal spores. I bought a cheap pot just for this purpose.
Oh, and I boiled the driftwood on the outdoor grill.

 

[InTheBox]

It is tannins from the wood. It will go away eventually with water changes. Are any of the wood pieces dark brown? You can soak them in a bucket until the brown goes away. The fish like tannins in the water so it wont hurt them.

Thanks for answering! How long will it take for it to go away, do you think?

 

[StarGirl]

It really depends on what kind of wood it is and how brown the water turns. Mopani (dark brown) may be years before it goes away. Wood like Manzanita, Cholla (lighter colored) May just be a few water changes. Do you have a pic of the tank and water?

 

[Peaches1710]

Along with boiling the wood and several water changes, you can also add activated carbon to your filter which will absorb the tannins and turn your water crystal clear. But if you don't mind the look, don't bother getting rid of it as it is beneficial in many ways. It buffers your water at low pH levels, creates a natural environment for your fish, and fish like neon tetras and betta really like the darker water.

 

[barrynelson336]

yes it clear and very good