Brownish Water

[koayst]

When I first setup my 18 litres shrimp tank, the water was crystal clear.

After a few days, the water would start to turn brownish.

Ever since then I have never seen crystal clear water before. Even thought I attempted to change 30% of the water every week.

Is your shrimp tank crystal clear or brownish? Is it normal to have brownish water. So far, I do not have any dead shrimp.

I have about 30 shrimps, driftwood, Java fern in the tank with a Hanging-On filter.

[Raymond]

Guess the brownish water is cause by the driftwood. usually driftwood leech tannin upon soaking in water. suggest u try boiling the wood before putting it in. as for the shrimp should not be any problem. Just have to take note of the pH. cause it the tannin may cause the water to be slightly more acidic than b4.

[chamelion]

active carbon will help.

[Walter]

I notice shrimps kinda like the tannic acids. Just an observation. :)

And I'm pretty sure it is the driftwood. For me I kind of like the brownish water effect. Looks natural. :D

[kross]

I used to have the same issue. Hated brown water as I can't see the true colors of my shrimps. Now, I changed to rocks or seasoned driftwoods. :D