From crystal clear to very dark water?????in a couple of days

[3qtkidz]

I have a Aqua 25 running and I have slowed down the water going through the UV light. I cleaned the filter and did a 15% water change. The bulb is only 2 months old - so I have NO CLUE.

suggestions?????

[OldMarine]

Could be that the filtration system is not adequate or big enough for your pond. How many gallons is your pond? Do you have pond plants, how many, and what types? What kind of pond fish do you have, how big, and how many? I'm not familure with your Aqua 25 or how it filters.

I built myself a 17 gallon DIY pre-filter/skmmier, and a 27 gallon bio-filter for my 365 gallon pond. My pond is has four water lily, and a three other bog plants on the shelves. I also have 8 shubunkin's, and several small bull frogs from S. Carolina. This time of the year I rinse my pre-filter about every four to seven days. I use that mucky water to water the flower beds and other potted plants in the yard.

Happy ponding,
Rich

[chris]

thats really strange that this happened. do another water change but at 20 to 25 percent.
and can you see the light shineing?? you might have stired up muck when cleaning
and it will settle down in a few days if not turn up the water going though the uv light.
and like old marine said how many plants and fish and how many gallons do u have

[koikeepr]

I agree with the others, let's step back a bit. I'm assuming the UV has been working for 2 months at this point based on what you're quoting as the age of lamp. Is that correct? Do you still see the purple bulb shining? It could be that you had a faulty bulb since what you're seeing is a sudden change.

How do you define "clean the filter?" Could it be that you've upset the bacteria colony on the filter media? Did you only use pond water and not tap? How long has the filter officially been running steady now?

When you say "dark" do you mean pea green or do you mean brown/black?

[Kntry]

Lisa, you beat me to the question of dark water. LOL

Lets start with your pond construction like how old is the pond, do you have a bottom drain, rocks in the pond, plant pots, etc. What type of filtration do you have? Do you have koi or goldfish? When is the last time you cleaned the bottom if you don't have a bottom drain. When is the last time you did a water change?

[3qtkidz]

thank you for all the input.
To answer most of your questions. I have a 100 gallon stock tank and it is 1800 gallons. I cleaned the filter thinking that it might help my situation. I did my cleaning by using pond water only.
I have NO rocks in the bottom of my pond, no bottom drain, I do have plants. Currently water lettuce is doing very well with helping with coverage. My water changes are about every 2 weeks. My pond has 12 koi. They are all under 10".
My method of cleaning. It taking out the Matala Mats (rinsing with pond water) and draining the bottom to get the muck out.
This was a very sudden change. Everything has been running very smooth. Oh, and the water is NOT green. It is more brown. But, I am seeing more algea on the plants than before. (furry looking)
I checked the light and it is shining very bright.

[Meganne]

how old is the pond?

[3qtkidz]

1 year and 1/2. It was doing so great for a little while. I could see the little pepples from the plants for a while there. Now it is all cloudy and dark. :(

[Kntry]

Do you have trees near the pond that are dropping leaves into it? Oak leaves, Pine needles? It sounds like tannins. Can you post some pics?

[3qtkidz]

I will try to post some pictures tomorrow. That'll be interesting too. But, absolutely no leaves, pine straw or anything like that.

[Meganne]

gently take one of the floating plants out and swoosh the roots clean in a bucket, how much muck do you see?
with no bottom drain there is no way to get that mess that is a by product of plants out of the pond other than a yearly clean out. With plants and goldies it all tends to settle on the bottom ect, but koi will tend to keep it stirred up.
is there only the mats in the filter? being your uv is working I would guess it is fines and/tanins making your water dark.
with my old 800 gallon pond I ran water through a large pot filled with a bag of (rinsed clean before use) lava rock in an up flow method. I plumbed the tubing into the bottom/side of the pot had one piece of mat then all the lava rock. the pot sat on the side of the pond and poured back into the pond. Once a month I took it down rolled it gently and swooshed it clean, rinsed the mat. unbelievale the black that collected in that pot! the pond was crystal clear once I added it!

[koikeepr]

Ah, that's a good query Meganne. 3qtkids, I remember you saying that you still hadn't put that strapping into the filter for bio. If that's the case, then this would absolutely be a factor. It's critical for you to get strapping or some kinda bio media in there asap. Thought you said you were waiting for Squidhead to sell you some, but I'm not even sure he has any left.

[Squidhead]

3qt - I am actually almost ready to put the strapping in my stock tank. For real this time!!!LOL Yeah, I know, I said that like 3 months ago, but I am actually up and running! I am no where totally complete, but the filter has 1 Matala in to keep big stuff from getting in the pump and it's been going for a little over a day now. I have to replace a leaky valve and a bunch of other stuff, but I am running. PM me if you are still interested in the left over strapping.

[Birdman]

You might want to look into a DIY Sand/Gravel filter. There's nothing better for polishing your water and making it gin clear.

[OldMarine]

Most everyone has the right questions about finding a solution to your problem. To really answer your question, there are many different things to take into concideration. Not trying to be too simple minded about this, but nature is a good example when it comes having a body of water with inhabitants. If there is no balance in fish, plants, water source (natural flow), and light, something is going to throw the ecosystem out of balance somewhere.

Our man made ponds are the same way. Figuring out what is causing your radical change in your pond water can be a real hair puller when trying to find the cause, and making the correction. I'm sure everything I just said is absolutely of no help. What needs to be found is what the cause of water change is, and making the right corrective action to help you create that balance you need in your pond to keep it healthy for your fish and any other wild life.

Happy ponding,
Rich

[koikeepr]

I actually think your statement is well put.:iagree:

[3qtkidz]

I must get strapping ASAP. I did splash in some beneficial bacteria a couple of days ago and slowed the water going into my UV (thinking that it was passing too fast). Also, I have 3 layers of filter pads in my stocktank and I took 1 out to see if that may help. My hubby told me to just accept that I have been defeated and give all this "crap" away to someone how understands all koi issues. Needless to say, he got THE EYE! (Men, you know what that is) lol.
Squidhead - I don't want to rush you but I will buy your left overs, but as you can read - I need pretty quick. So, just let me know - otherwise ebay here I come.
I guess, I didn't not realize the totaly importance of that bio in the filter.

[3qtkidz]

sorry to ask you guys this but the strapping comes in all colors, shapes and sizes on ebay. If you have a moment can you take a look and give me a recommendation. I was thinking about getting BLACK since it would not stand out so much. I am pretty sure I have to put them in a laundry bag right. How many feet do you think I would need for a 100 gallon stock tank?

[koikeepr]

If you're throwing in bacteria, but it has nothing to cling to (i.e. strapping) to create a bio colony--you're kinda wasting your money. The strapping or bio media is critical to the process--without it, the water won't clear.

Tell your hubby to cool his jets, as this takes some time to all stabilize. If the water is passing too fast through the UV, that would certainly cause a problem. But, again, the media is going to be critical to making this work. Without it, you're kinda spinning wheels. The filter pads are mechanical media and not bio media. Thought you will get a percentage of bacteria on mechanical media, it's not enough to sustain a good environment.

Again, the dark water--versus green water--is a tad strange to me. Can you explain this further?

[3qtkidz]

I am going to take some pictures koikeepr. You know I STINK at uploading to your site - so I might be contacting you soon. Off to take a few photo.
Also, please take a quick look at http://cgi.ebay.com/Poly-Strapping-1-2-x-0-26-3-600-Ft-16-x-3-Hand-Grade-/120092270102?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1bf60e9e16 (that looks like it wont work but that is ebay and 120092270102 is the item number.

Koikeepr - I told him way more that "cool your jets" - Especially since he just spent $1800.00 to go to a OSU/Michigan game. lol! I think he can come off a little cash to help my little issue.

[3qtkidz]

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p236/3qtkidz/IMG_5145.jpg

I don't know if this is going to work. I have 13 pictures but cannot figure out how to upload them all at once. I have them all checked. Do I have to get the IMG number on every photo?

[3qtkidz]

How do I upload the album. Images are still REAL big.

[3qtkidz]

http://s129.photobucket.com/albums/p236/3qtkidz/


Well, here is the album. I cannot figure this thing out. DANG IT!!!

[addy1]

http://s129.photobucket.com/albums/p236/3qtkidz/


Well, here is the album. I cannot figure this thing out. DANG IT!!!

I think you have to do one picture at a time.

[Squidhead]

You have to do one pic at a time. What I usually do is open 2 browsers or make 2 tabs one with the album you to post pics from, one that is your post. Just flip between the 2. It's a PITA, but it is the quickest way I have found.

You can resize your pic at the photobucket website. When you are looking at a pic full size, place your cursor on it. After a few seconds options will pop up on top of the pic. Select "Resize" and start with the Large setting and work your way down until you are happy with what you have.

I think your pics are fine, but I'm looking at them on my PC, not yours. Just wanted to let you know their fine on my end.

[koikeepr]

We have instructions on how to do this, including a little video, here. You have to select one photo at a time. Here's the directions (http://www.thepondforum.com/showthread.php?33-Adding-a-Photo-or-Video-to-your-Posts).

But you've already done it right. I see your picture and it's perfect.

[koikeepr]

I am going to take some pictures koikeepr. You know I STINK at uploading to your site - so I might be contacting you soon. Off to take a few photo.
Also, please take a quick look at http://cgi.ebay.com/Poly-Strapping-1-2-x-0-26-3-600-Ft-16-x-3-Hand-Grade-/120092270102?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1bf60e9e16 (that looks like it wont work but that is ebay and 120092270102 is the item number.

Koikeepr - I told him way more that "cool your jets" - Especially since he just spent $1800.00 to go to a OSU/Michigan game. lol! I think he can come off a little cash to help my little issue.

Oh, I do the same thing to my hubby after he's gone to a Panther's game. LOL!

It does appear to be the right stuff. Looks embossed from what I can tell. Just be sure to ask the seller if it is.

[koikeepr]

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p236/3qtkidz/IMG_5145.jpg

I don't know if this is going to work. I have 13 pictures but cannot figure out how to upload them all at once. I have them all checked. Do I have to get the IMG number on every photo?

Yes, you have to get the IMG of each photo. You can upload up to 6 per post, and then you'll have to start another post. BUT, I'm confused. In this photo your water looks perfectly clear. I can see all the way down to the stones in your planters. Is this a BEFORE photo, perhaps?

make sure to pick the yellowed leaves off your lettuce and lilies. My lettuce always turned yellow like that because the pond is in the sun. I gave up on on 'em. LOL!

[3qtkidz]

a couple of post back is the link to the album with all the pictures. (if you want to look at them).

[koikeepr]

I looked at all 13 pictures. Your water looks fine. What am I missing? In one of the earlier photos I see your matala is a little mucky. In that case you need to stop your pump and drain the stock tank so the muck doesn't head back into the pond while you're removing the matala to spray it down or rinse it. You need to do this every couple of weeks when you see the matala clogging like that. the matala is there to prevent the muck from passing it and gettingback into the pond. You need the strapping. Get it quick.

But you can see the plants, fish, and everything fine.

Feel free to call me, as you do have my number.

[3qtkidz]

koikeepr. I am not sure what you see. I just totally took everything out of the tank including parts (pvc tubing, mats, screen) and washed it all out with pond water. Opened the valve and emptying everything. That was the first step of resolving my dark water. I know you say you don't really see a problem, however, since I got my new filter up and running about 3 months ago. My water was so clear, I could see little pepples on the bottom. Now, not so much. My mats are definately NOT clogs. Even when I clean them, there doesn't seem like anything is even in them.
No koikeepr I lost your number. You can pm me your number again.

[Meganne]

removing the matting you removed filtration (fines filtration and already established bio filtration, bio filtration is found on all pond surfaces). if you feel the matss they are a problem more frequent rinsing will help, you will also have to krinse the strapping ass it will collect fines as well as establish bio filtration. (opps, just read Lisa's post...ditto)
I'll look at your pixs tonight when I have some time and read the rest of this thread :yes:

[koikeepr]

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p236/3qtkidz/IMG_5141.jpg

See the green matala in your photo on the right...I can see that it's got mulm/poop on it (or perhaps it's under it?)-unless that's some kinda shadow from the camera. I can see your blue mat is clean.

I think the itty bitty darkening of water you are suddenly seeing is that there is just not enough bio media there for the bacteria to multiply and really give them a big enough home to do to the job and clear up your water enough as you'd like. Once you get that strapping in there and wait a few weeks for them to jump on, I think you'll see a difference.

But yeah, keep wasting that stock tank whenever you see any accumulation in it. You want that outta the water column. But I really don't think your water looks to bad at all to be honest. You are really close. When you said brown or black water, I was expecting chocolate pudding or something. LOL!

[Squidhead]

If you are convinced that the sludgy stuff is not mulm, what you are seeing could be a combination of things that occur with a new aquarium. A pond should be no different. For one, if there is a light to dark brown almost powdery substance floating in your water and on the liner and anything in the pond including rocks and plants, it could be diatoms. These critters are some times called brown algae, but they are really a tiny "critter"! They feast on silicate. Silicate will be in your water column because practically everything that the pond is made of has some silicate. The plastic parts all have silicate, the liner will have it also. The rocks used may most likely have it if not definately. Your water supply most likely has silicates in it. Then of course if you or any of the commercially produced parts you used has silicone or used silicone caulk add that to the list. At first all the new plastic parts will leach it in the water a great deal. After a while the leaching will slow as the parts "cure", for lack of a better term. As the "food" supply of silicates reduces, so do the diatoms until they are so few they are hardly noticable. A good fines filter, if indeed fine enough ( fine enough would be under 50 microns ) will filter the diatoms out that pass through. Another possibility is the rockwork - the rocks themselves ar any dirt stuck between them that comes loose. I noticed that some of the rocks have a rust or orangey brown color. That is most likely iron and that can stain water if there is too much. I know shale can sometimes dissolve and discolor water.

These are just some other ideas if it isn't mulm or other crud from plants and fish. Oh, sometimes diatoms will be in the shadier or darker side of the pond more then the sunny'er or lighter side. They are not supposed to "like" bright light, unlike algae.

[3qtkidz]

Better late than never.....
I just got my strapping in the bird netting. I am hopeful that this will be help my pond this summer. :)

[koikeepr]

Great! Yes, bio is the key to clear, happy water! Let us know how it goes!