wicca27

I have used mirical gro organic potting soil for a sub and then capping with pool filter sand. I think the mgo is leaching tannins into the water cause i can change it and a few hrs to day and it yellow again. What can i do next time to prevent this

Diana K

Tannins are natural to most plant based organic matter. Bark, leaves, peat moss and other materials have tannins.

Fish from rain forest streams evolved with tannins and this is fine for them.

Fish from hard water/ less forested areas are not accustomed to tannins.

If you want to remove the tannins from anything (driftwood, for example) you can boil it with several water changes, or soak it (perhaps several weeks or a month) with lots of water changes. Some material will have lots of tannins and will take a lot of water changes to remove enough that the remnant will barely affect the tank water. When it reaches this stage activated carbon will remove it from the water, and water changes will dilute it.

Probably better, though to go ahead and set up the tank with substrate, heater and filter, plant it and let it work though all the changes that happen when a soil is submerged. This may take a month or so. Do enough water changes so the plants have enough light, and monitor the water conditions with all the tests you have for the aquarium. When things have settled down the tank may be ready for fish, and the tannins will be greatly reduced. While boiling will remove the tannins pretty fast, it does nothing to help grow the large population of microorganisms that thrive in a NPT.

JeffyFunk

I find it odd that you're having tannin issues w/ Miracle Grow Organic Choice Potting soil considering that a lot of other people have used that product and they don't report any issues. Maybe it's the pool filter sand instead? (I've tried using pool filter sand in one tank and had issues w/ it.) To test it, add about an inch of soil to a jar, fill it up w/ water, mix well and then check it after a week. You can do the same w/ the soil in a separate container (the dirt will settle out within a day or two). Let us know what you find out .

dwalstad

How are your plants growing? If they're dying, they'll release just as many tannins as the soil.

A picture and more information would help.

bartoli

Purigen from Seachem is great for removing tannins.

wicca27

this is the tank i did a water change a couple hrs befor the pic and it is almost a watered down tea color with in a few days to week. none of the plants seem to mind nor do the gupps dojos or betta that is in there i just dont like the color

wicca27

if it is organic could it just be the batch im using maybe.