Second filter?

[bostonbass]

Hi all. Apologies if this is in the wrong forum.

I have a 20g planted tank. I do water changes of about 25% weekly. Using the test strips I know my parameters are good. The fish are healthy and happy.

The issue is that the water constantly has a yellowish tinge and when I change the water, I'm always amazed at how nasty the water is when it comes out. I use a Hagan AquaClear 30 on full blast. I also have a spare filter that came with a kit (I upgraded the filter). I'm wondering if adding a second filter may fix the yellow water problem?

Water out of the faucet is crystal clear though pretty hard and definitely needs Prime.

So, second filter on a 20g?

Thanks

 

[Fresh2o]

Do you have driftwood in the tank? Driftwood often leaches tannins which can discolor tank water (yellowish, hazy, brownish).


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[bostonbass]

Do you have driftwood in the tank? Driftwood often leaches tannins which can discolor tank water (yellowish, hazy, brownish).


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Yes a good bit. Is there a way to eliminate it?

 

[Barliman]

Yes a good bit. Is there a way to eliminate it?

Carbon will take it out, as I recall, as will Purigen. It's not harmful to your fish, however. Some like it, in fact.

Did you boil the wood before using it in your tank? That's a good way to eliminate a lot of tannins.

 

[Mr tap water]

As above active carbon or Purigen will help ,you could also try a UV


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[lksdrinker]

Tanins are actually quite beneficial for most species. It can be ugly to see though. It will eventually/gradually be less noticeable if you just keep up with regular water changes. As noted above purigen and carbon can help; but they will be removing it from teh water column and not preventing it from happening. You can pull the driftwood and try to boil it a few times to speed along the process; but thats certainly not necessary unless you cnat stand seeing the color.

 

[bostonbass]

Tanins are actually quite beneficial for most species. It can be ugly to see though. It will eventually/gradually be less noticeable if you just keep up with regular water changes. As noted above purigen and carbon can help; but they will be removing it from teh water column and not preventing it from happening. You can pull the driftwood and try to boil it a few times to speed along the process; but thats certainly not necessary unless you cnat stand seeing the color.

I'm shopping for backgrounds as now it's a fully clear tank all around. I don't want a "scene" just a solid color. Which would be better at reducing the yellow in the water, a deep blue back or black?

 

[lksdrinker]

I'm shopping for backgrounds as now it's a fully clear tank all around. I don't want a "scene" just a solid color. Which would be better at reducing the yellow in the water, a deep blue back or black?

Beats me. Might be one of those situations where you need to try it and see what works.

 

[fishfan27]

I agree with the people who have already said that carbon will clean your water right up although I have no experience using purigen. I personally run two penguin biowheel 200s on my tank they have activated carbon in the cartridges and they keep the water looking very clean.

 

[guppygourami]

Had the same problem until I added activated carbon to my AQ50. I have a 23 gallon, so the filter is strong and good for the tank.


<g.m.t.a>