Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Okay, I need some help. My water is crystal clear, but my water is the color of tea.

I'm already running a dual filter system with a UV sterilizer. Do I need fresh/more carbon?

TIA,
AZ Red

29g display w/ 40g sump, 50g gb (indoor)

660g "pond" w/ 6x 150g gb (outdoor)

Probably tannins from something like leaves falling in the water or if you've added Maxicrop or Seasol to the system water that could also cause the water to look this way. This isn't likely to hurt the fish although sometimes leaves contain toxins or their breakdown uses up the oxygen.

Does either of the possibilities fit?

There might be some debris in there, but I was really hoping the filtration would solve that particular issue. I'll try disturbing the sediment to see if the filters will handle it...

Would a pleco or shrimp/crawfish help the debris issue?

They might help with the debris but don't expect them to have any effect on the stained water. Temp might be a problem for keeping them alive outdoors.



It's better to just remove the solids if you can and might be good to use netting over the pond when leaves are falling. If the filters don't handle it your fish might not either. It's not always a problem but sometimes toxins can build up in areas like this if they go anaerobic.

My systems always had a slight tea colour.

I thought (from reading on this very forum) that clear, slightly tea coloured water was ideal!

I always just think about what happens in nature - I doubt alot of fresh water fish have perfect water (less trout in their mountain streams...?)

I don't mind the water having a tint to it, but my water is dark. Clear, but dark. If I remember, I'll post a picture in the morning...

This is also my indoor system, so it's not so much leaves falling in. Unfortunately, my sump is currently stocked with fingerlings still well under 1", so it's rather difficult to skim what muck may be without catching the fish in the process. I was planning on moving them to the display tank, but i think it'll be a lot easier when they are big enough to see and make sure I have them all moved to the tank.

On a side note, has anyone had luck with getting panfish such as bluegill on a herbivorous diet?