Brownish/Green Tint in New Tank

[nuclrhorseradish]

Hey all,

I have my first tank here just about ready to go, its a 40B. Eheim 2224, 2x 39w T5HO (10k), JBJ 150w heater, GLAS CO2 with atomic diffuser, ecocomplete as the substrate. I have yet to plant, but did add some ammonia to start my cycle. Water parameters are where I expect them to be at this point, skyhigh ammonia, no nitrites or nitrates, ph 7.6. I think Im good across the board so far and am waiting on some plants from our host in the next day or so. Heres my suspicion - I have a piece of manzanita in the tank which I neglected to soak - is this the cause of a brown/green tint to the water? Its clear otherwise, just kind of a weird green/brownish color. How do I fix this if so? Huge water change(s)? This could potentially be a light playing tricks on my eyes due to the color on the walls but I dont think so. Thoughts?

Thanks!

--josh

 

[dutchy]

Manzanita will leach for a long time and is the cause of your coloured water. Best is to put carbon in your filter for the next months, 100 grams per 25 gallon will do.

Also do a 50% waterchange each week, this also helps. Together these measures will take care that the water keeps clear.

 

[nuclrhorseradish]

Thanks Dutchy.

I was going to PM you an embarrassing question but I figure some other newbie will inevitably want or need to ask this too so here goes:

What kind of carbon, and do I integrate it into the filter system with the other filter material already filling up the canister? Is it in a form that just sits on top of one of the other media "packs"? And if so, do I remove one of the other media types? I dont have a good enough understanding of what the media included with the filter actually does.

Cheers!

 

[dutchy]

You should buy activated carbon from your LFS. Check if there's a bag coming with the package, if not, buy one also. You can put it on top of the white filter pad, this prevents early clogging, or remove some other filter media if space is an issue.

Rinse well before use.