Edit: Diatomic Filter?

[x-Twinkle-x]

In my angel tank, which has 6 angels, approx. 20 scissortail rasboras, a small shoal of corys & 2 bristlenose, the water is never properly clear. Water stats are all fine, the tank is heavily planted, I clean the gravel every week, 30-40% water change every week and clean filters every 2 weeks. The tank is 50gal and is overfiltered, so I dont see why the water is like this.

It's not completely clear; it seems to have a very slight yellowish tinge. When I do water changes it clears and looks lovely for about a day and then goes back to how it usually looks.

I have no other problems whatsoever with this tank apart from this, and I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem and what they did about it??

Thanks

 

[Samphire]

Do you have bogwood in it? I have read that can stain/tinge the water.

 

[fry_lover]

my darling Bry, i hope you get it sorted

 

[jim566]

do you have any bogwood or similar in your tank?

d'oh beaten to it

 

[x-Twinkle-x]

Thankyou fry_lover!
No, there is no bogwood in the tank, just lots and lots of vallis, black gravel, and a big stack of slate pieces built up into a sort of arch shape!!

 

[jim566]

are you running carbon in your filter at all?, as i found when i took mine out the water developed a yellowy tinge put the carbon back in and it went

 

[x-Twinkle-x]

No Im not atm, maybe I should try that, thankyou!!

 

[x-Twinkle-x]

Quick update - I bought the carbon yesterday, today followed the instructions and put into the filter. So far no change; I didnt expect it to work that quickly but how long usually does it take for the water to clear? If this doesnt work, does anybody have any other suggestions as to what I could try?

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

The yellow tinge in the water is most likely caused by Tannins which are organic compounds that can slowly leech out of a variety of sources. How well do you vac your tank? I ask b/c leftover fish waste can leech Tannins that tint the water. This is why yellow water can be a bigger problem in heavily planted tanks where fish waste is left alone to fertilize the plants.

Activated Carbon is good at removing DOC's like Tannins and Phenols (the fishy smell), so just give it a few days and see if it helps. Keep in mind though that Activated Carbon only lasts for so long, and the more "stuff" in the water the shorter a period of time it remains active.

 

[BigC]

Diatomic filter = Gin Clear water.

 

[x-Twinkle-x]

Ive been looking all over the internet trying to find a diatomic filter - does anyone know where I might be able to find one?

EDIT: Aphotic Phoenix - it's activated carbon that I have put in my tank, hope it works lol but I am thinking about buying a diatomic too now.. I vac the tank every week, not sure if that's enough but it cleans the gravel

Also, it says on the carbon box that it only has to be replaced every 8 weeks.. does this sound right? We ended up using nearly the whole packet following the instructions carefully - there was only 10 grams left!

 

[BigC]

You will find them under the brand name of "HOBBY" in Europe (German) The most unfortunate thing is that you may have to order from there. Cant see there being a problem in this day and age. Ask the seller first for postal rates etc. Dont forget to by extra Diatomic earth filter media.
In the USA they have two brands I think, one I know is "Vortex" the other escapes my memory.
These things are amazing as water polishers, they are not designed to be left on 24/7 but to clean the water once or twice a week. The also help in sucking up pathogens such as whitespot cysts as the media is so small (microns)and can trap even the smallest of particals therefore thay are a good help in that respect also.
http/www.valenta-aquaristik.de/v_shop/ar.../AHH070103.html
Regards
BigC