Yellow Water

[kdv9tb]

So I am worried about the condition of my water. All my parameters are great, but my water is a nasty yellow color. I was wondering if a Phosban reactor would help this? If this would, does anyone know what to run in it? Should I run carbon?

Thanks in advance for the help!

[firsttank]

I think running carbon will help you.

[KafudaFish]

carbon. It is natural though we don't like it.

There is a term for yellow water, gelb something. Sorry this is just off the top of my head.

[KafudaFish]

gelbstoff

[BorHor]

Yup carbon helps.

[Grant W]

+1 for the carbon

[billdogg]

the yellow color you see is caused by dissolved organic compunds. As mentioned above, running carbon in a reactor (or even in a area of good flow in the sump) will clear it up in a day or 2. I, for one, run carbon 24/7/365 and have for over 20 years.


Gfo will do nothing for the dissolved organics - it is intended for use to combat high phosphates, often caused by overfeeding.

[kdv9tb]

so getting a phosban reactor, and running activated carbon should do the trick? Is there a special kind of carbon or is any as good as the rest? Sorry for the novice question, I just do not want to screw this tank up!!

[Joshnlaura]

I would get the media reactor from BRS....I put one on about a month ago and LOVE it!

[ROCKMAN_1]

Run carbon.

[MarineBioMel]

Chemi-Pure is good stuff, especially if you get the Elite version (it removes phosphates and various toxins as well as dissolved organics).

[Mavrk]

Just aquarium activated charcoal (carbon) of any kind. Some are better than others (less dust, better shape, etc). But if all you are doing is running it for a little bit to get rid of the yellow, then anything will work. Just rinse it off first. If you do it in a reactor, correspond it with a water change and run water out of your tank through the reactor into a bucket until it runs clear.

BTW, the yellow won't hurt anything and the prescription is always carbon. It does not mean you have a problem.

edit: had to resist the answer of don't pee in the water, but couldn't resist it after posting

[fatdaddy]

yep, gelbstoff. German word as they were the first to describe it.

Carbon or water changes. I'd recommend both. Also, go easy starting out with carbon. It's like anything new; you want to proceed in degrees.

Also, be sure the carbon that you use is for saltwater. There are freshwater varieties which are surprisingly worthless in salt.

btw, the carbon at walmart is actually pretty good. I usually mailorder it, but when I need it, it's there.

[fatdaddy]

Originally Posted by fatdaddy

Also, go easy starting out with carbon. It's like anything new; you want to proceed in degrees.

I remember the rationale now. If you strip out all the gelbstuff in short order, then you could sunburn your corals and other things as they aren't used to the light intensity.

[kdv9tb]

I have carbon that I run in my freshwater tanks, and my big brackish tank. It has specifications for saltwater on it, but I am scared to use it. I know it will be ok, but yet I am still hesitant. I have a little media bag (2 inches by 2 inches) that I think I will use for now since I am in the middle of nowhere and I do not have one. I should have one in 5-8 business days. The agony of going to school in Missouri!

[Mavrk]

Originally Posted by fatdaddy

Also, be sure the carbon that you use is for saltwater. There are freshwater varieties which are surprisingly worthless in salt.

I have never heard of freshwater vs saltwater carbon for aquariums. It is all the same stuff. Some brands are just not very good.

I have carbon that I run in my freshwater tanks, and my big brackish tank. It has specifications for saltwater on it, but I am scared to use it. I know it will be ok, but yet I am still hesitant. I have a little media bag (2 inches by 2 inches) that I think I will use for now since I am in the middle of nowhere and I do not have one. I should have one in 5-8 business days. The agony of going to school in Missouri!

I would use what you have.

[fatdaddy]

Originally Posted by Mavrk

I have never heard of freshwater vs saltwater carbon for aquariums.

That's what I thought, so I ignored the label and used it anyways. My water continued to grow more yellow. I switched brands it was it crystal clear the next day. I can't remember the brand, but I suspect it didn't work well for freshwater either.

[kobett]

bumping this thread up...I have the same problem. To fix this problem without buying a reactor, can I simply buy those carbon in the mesh bags and put it in my sump? I have a 60 gallon tank and the yellow water sucks! How many carbon-filled mesh bags would I need to clear the water?

[KafudaFish]

One will work just make sure to rinse it well before putting it in the sump to prevent dust from coating everything.

In a few days you should be able to see a huge difference.

Yes you can put it just in your sump: near the output of your skimmer, near your return pump or even suspended in the water.

[A sea K]

Might be off base but no one asked what skimmer you're using, that is "if" you are using one and how large the system/load is on that particular system.
DOC's are what skimmers are supposed to remove and your excessive yellow may very well be an indication that a skimmer or upgrade may be needed. Should also help with the overall health of the system.

[Dustin1300]

Originally Posted by A sea K

Might be off base but no one asked what skimmer you're using, that is "if" you are using one and how large the system/load is on that particular system.
DOC's are what skimmers are supposed to remove and your excessive yellow may very well be an indication that a skimmer or upgrade may be needed. Should also help with the overall health of the system.

+ 1

While the carbon will clear up the water for now how did it get here in the first place?

[Michael]

Originally Posted by billdogg

the yellow color you see is caused by dissolved organic compunds. As mentioned above, running carbon in a reactor (or even in a area of good flow in the sump) will clear it up in a day or 2. I, for one, run carbon 24/7/365 and have for over 20 years.


Gfo will do nothing for the dissolved organics - it is intended for use to combat high phosphates, often caused by overfeeding.

yup, I wouldn't have said it any different, my thoughts exactly.

regards

mike

[kobett]

thanks...I just bought some activated carbon and will put it in a pantyhose. I'll wash it off right now and put it near the return pump...hopefully I'll see a difference soon.

I am using a Eshopps psk-75 protein skimmer for my 60 gallon, by the way.

[fatdaddy]

Originally Posted by A sea K

Might be off base but no one asked what skimmer you're using, that is "if" you are using one and how large the system/load is on that particular system.
DOC's are what skimmers are supposed to remove and your excessive yellow may very well be an indication that a skimmer or upgrade may be needed. Should also help with the overall health of the system.

Yes and No. Certainly, more aggressive skimming will help (and I skim very wet as I figure I can count it as part of my WC's).

However, there are still dissolved organics which will not be filtered by the skimmer. If these build up, then you'll still get yellowish water. (I think it has to with hydrophobic groups in the organic compound. If no hydrophobic group, then it will be unaffected by the water/air boundary and stay dissolved).

Carbon and WC's are the only way I know of to remove these from the system.

[theatrus]

+1 for WalMart carbon if you need something in a hurry. Its distributed by Marineland and is roughly half the price of the same (relabeled) jar at a Pet*.