Bogwood Turning Tank Water Yellow

[david419]

hi, after setting up my new tank i fitted a few bits of bogwood but i got up this morning and the tank water is yellow?
what can be done to cure this or prevent it?
any ideas would be great

 

[st24rsap]

did you soak the bogwood in boiling water before placing in the tank?

 

[david419]

did you soak the bogwood in boiling water before placing in the tank?

hi, no i didnt soak it first, is that why then? how about i take it out, do a water change and the soak it?

 

[st24rsap]

yeah it should be soaked for several hours first in boiling water, i dont think it will harm the fish or tank but might be worth removing it and soaking for a bit, and do a 25% water change to reduce the yellow in the tank water

 

[martyn242]

Hi - have you got a carbon active part to your filter, if not look at getting one. They are great for getting rid of coloration - be careful though as the carbon will remove any treatment you add to your water

 

[darknirvana217]

The yellow coloration is caused by tanins from the wood. What it does is create a lower Ph and a black water effect. Though it may not look very pleasing to most hobbyists, dark water fish like discus and tetras love it. You can soak it and boil it, but chances are you won't be able to fully get rid of that yellow color. As far as carbon goes, I've tried to steer clear of it. It takes out any medicine you may have to give your fish, can be toxic if not changed properly, and some beleive it is linked to some infections in fish.