So i have my tank for about 5 months now( it's a 60l tank) and everything runs fine, i got a Swordfish internal filter 380 L/H, a heater and 6 fish in it. Now my problem is : my water is staying lightly yellow-ish.... I make sure i "clean" 25% of water each week and i check my filter about once every 3 weeks. But now i've read somewhere that it could be the carbon inside the filter that is responsible for this... Is this true? How often do i need to change it then? It's not some Algea, i checked that, i asked my grandfather who's been having fish his entire life, but saltwater, and he doesn't seem to know what it is either. The fish i have are 2 Guppy, 2 Botia's and 2 catfish of the small type. The droppings aren't much, so it's not like it can be from that. Anyone got any idea? Thanx in advance!

Good morning Linne...

Carbon, the chemical part of the tanks filtration, removes waste products and absorbs tank odors. If you've recently put a piece of commercial driftwood into your tank, this could be the source of the yellowish water.

I would recommend adding a couple of fast growing stem plants to your tank the next time you do a water change and add a piece of polyfiber to your filter.

The combination of your frequent water changes and the added filtration from the polyfiber and the plants should eventually clear the tank water.

B

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Low Tech Water Building Keeper

I agree with BBradbury. It's probably a decoration in the tank. Did you recently add a new decoration? Driftwood and live moss can turn the water yellowish or brownish. Do you have any live plants? Did you recently add any chemicals like a pH buffer or medicine? I doubt it's the carbon; I've never heard of carbon staining water.

I suggest putting in a live plant, like BBradbury said. Java ferns and amazon sword plants are supposed to be good to have; I have one of each, and they do well for a beginner like me!

Good luck!

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Creatures great and small, I love 'em all! But mainly the fish.

Carbon is only effective for about 2 wks. The pkg may say 1 month, but most will not remain effective that long.

No i don't have any kind of driftwood in my tank. I thought that was the scource so i removed it but after a month, it's still the same. Thanx though
Btw, with live plants, do you mean real plants instead of plastic ones? Because i don't have plastic plants in my aquarium

Yep. Do you mean that you have all live plants, or that you don't have any plants at all? I think that some live plants can turn water yellowish.

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Creatures great and small, I love 'em all! But mainly the fish.

i have 5 live plants in it, but all are ok for it, i asked about them in the store. plus the water is getting clearer since i've added the last 3 yesterday. I think i was just short on plants...

Never heard of plants turning water yellow.

If I had that I'd do 50% wc's about everyother day and see what happened. If it were still a problem after that I'd start looking at my tap water.

What are the water parameters of your tank? Is the temprature in the correct range? How much light is the tank getting?

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60g tall, all artificial plants, Rainbow tank; 55g for African Cichlids. 20g long for fry; 20g hex, 2 black Angels at my desk; 10g planted, with 50 Molly fry; 10 gal, 2x 13w cfl lightning, planted; 2g hex for "Buddy the Betta"; Wanting a 200g +, MTS getting bad.

Whats your substrate?If you have any type of organic soil or peat then that would account for it as well.

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http://bountifulbettas.blogspot.com/

"Come to the dark side....we have cookies...and filters/heaters/and water changes!"

NO3 is 0
NO2 is 0
GH is between 8 and 16
KH is between 6 and 10
Ph is 7.6
Cl2 is 0.8
Temp is 26°C
And there really is nothing wrong with our tapwater
And i got sand for my bottom.