Poll: What do you use to make water less yellow?

[dbl]

Had a suggestion for a poll from our resident chemist a while back to discuss what, if anything, people use to make their water less yellow. I personally have always run GAC and have never had the experience of yellow water. So let's see what others are using to accomplish this. Discuss below your methods and/or theories.

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

I used to run carbon and it would help for the most part. Now I do weekly water changes and the waste water coming out of my tank is pretty much the same color as the new water going in.

 

[ZaneTer]

I use ozone and I will never go without it again. I don’t personally chase any ORP figure but I run the ozone for about 2hrs each night. ORP doesn’t exceed 250 and I have never had clearer water. I did try the GAC route for a while but it’s a pain plus the long term costs on a 200g plus it’s just not quite as good as my ozone unit.

 

[ca1ore]

Depends a bit on what is causing the yellow/brownish cast. In most cases GAC will do the trick. I don't have a problem in my big system, but my kids tanks often look a bit yellow so I simply run a bag of chemipure. If the coloration is due to water borne algae, then a UV clarifier/sterilizer is the best tool to use. Also, keep in mind that if the cause is fine particulates, a skimmer will pull them out as well.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Never had this issue. What generally causes it?

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

Never had this issue. What generally causes it?

General nastiness in most cases but it can also be caused by suspended algae and high amounts of organics in the water. When I used Aquavitro Fuel it would turn my water slightly yellowish if I overdid it.

 

[Cherub]

Never had yellow water? Didn't know this was a thing...

 

[ChiCity]

Never had yellow water? Didn't know this was a thing...

In older tanks it is....
Carbon for the win!

 

[don_chuwish]

I've never noticed yellowing to be honest, but I run GAC (ROX) once in a while if I feel like the smell is off or I just feel the need.

 

[LadyMac]

I had a yellow tint to mine a few weeks back. Thought algae bloom, and was suggested carbon. Since adding it the water does seem a lot more clear. I also have to clean out several pads every few days ( my fault, the sump setup isn’t the best) or I’ll get the tint again.

FWIW it doesn’t bother me too bad; my freshwater tanks were always black water

 

[Paul B]

Don't eat to much asparagus.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Don't eat to much asparagus.

;Yuck;Yuck

 

[Cory]

Ozone kicks carbons *** . Rox .8 the best carbon didnt clear my tanks water like ozone did.

See here:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/carbon-vs-ozone-ozone-w-co2-scrubber.343616/#post-4278145

 

[HolisticBear]

KZ Coral Snow is another choice, plus side doesn't seem to have a connection with HLLE

 

[Porpoise Hork]

Purigen. I Love the stuff.

Before I converted to salt I ran planted FW tanks for years. Almost every tank had some sort of wood (usually Bog wood) in it. I would soak the wood for weeks to leach the tannin out to keep from tinting the tank. Sometimes even after weeks of soaking and multiple boilings some pieces of wood would still leach and tint the water giving it a light tea like appearance. I tried every product to clear the water up and nothing worked until I put in a pouch of Purigen. in a span of 12 hours my 40g tank went from a light tea color to crystal clear. Ever since I have run it as as a means to remove organics and to keep the water looking pristine. It does an amazing job keeping the water crystal clear on my sw tank as well.

 

[ajcanale]

KZ Coral Snow

 

[tastyfish]

Curiously, I've never, ever had discoloured water. I run carbon when I think I need to because of spawning or a contaminant on an ICP test but have never had water yellowing before.

 

[Hommi]

KZ Coral snow makes water crystal clear. Dose 1-2 ml pr 100 liter when light’s is off. I notice a big difference next day

 

[AnakinReefWalker]

KZ Coral Snow

KZ Coral snow makes water crystal clear. Dose 1-2 ml pr 100 liter when light’s is off. I notice a big difference next day

I use Coral Snow as well, sort of. I use a DIY version that works just as well.. KZ Coral Snow is really expensive, have you looked into this
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-kz-coral-snow-with-97-purity.211722/

It's what I use, it's basically the same thing but way cheaper, you can get a 97% purity 5 pound bag of CaCO3 (KZ coral snow) for 12 bucks on Amazon. I'm pretty sure a 5 pound bag will last me a lifetime, if you're interested read through the thread, if you switch you'll save a lot.

 

[Ento-Reefer]

I run ozone for 3 hours every night and it keeps my water sparkling clear.