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Tea color water ? question from older post.

Posted by t4codybear (My Page) on
Tue, Jul 22, 08 at 12:02

Hi,
First time on forum although I have been reading and following the advice of many for quite sometime. But now I have an issue I can't seem to resolve. I have the same set up and problem as Jeanne- May 2008, although I know Jeanne's issue was solved. My pond is 12x 23 and 30" deep, rock bottom with skimmer and waterfall. I have done what Sandy and others have suggested, i.e. 9lbs of activated charcoal in the waterfall, batting in the skimmer (which works fantastic removing particles), hornwort & hyancinths plus lettuce, I cut down on feeding. And even though my water is very clear now (which is a big improvement itself)it still has the tannic / tea color which really doesn't allow the koi to show off there bright colors. I then added "SAB Extreme Debris" to break down whatever leaves etc, may remain and then added "AquaClear" once a week. I was thinking that the soil from my water lilly's & grass that I spilt up in the spring caused this? I use pea gravel on top of the soil, but I have had this problem last year also, this is my second season since installation. In a way the color makes it look more realistic but it doesn't help the true color of the fish. Do I just live with it? I can send pic's if needed.
Thanks,
Peter


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: Tea color water ? question from older post.

Peter, my pond goes through this a few times a year when the oak trees are at their worst littering (which they seem to be always doing) stages. Even in spring, when it's just the pollen and catkins, the water gets that clear "strong tea" color. The water test results remain in the desirable ranges. Four years ago I was advised it won't hurt the fish and they certainly seem to be doing fine, so I just live with it. As you said, it does look more natural.

Are there any trees nearby that could be dropping anything from pollen to twigs into the pond and is there any way to exclude that?

A partial water change might lighten the color a bit, but you want to be careful about stressing the fish with changes in water temperature and chemistry.

I hope someone has a more promising answer for you than I can give.

Diane


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RE: Tea color water ? question from older post.

My pond also goes through some of these ugly colors but, did you know that the green algae water brings out the koi's best color. In Japan they grow koi in mud ponds to bring out their best color and the fastest growth. I have used a product that causes the floating particals to bind together and fall to the bottom so that the filter can clean it up. Most floating paticles are, are I guess you would say like a opposing side of a magnet.

If your koi are large and love, as mine do, to sift through the plants then you may never be able to get the tea color out of the pond. I don't have any plants in the bottom of my pond anymore. they are on the surface.

You may have to live with this but I hope that maybe this helps a little.
Good Luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: koigardening


 
 

 

 


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